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Menopause (Expert Forum)
Slight, infrequent postmenopausal bleeding
Answered by
Machelle Seibel, MD - Women's Health, menopause, ReproductiveMedicine
University of Massachusetts Medical School
MA
Questions in the Menopause forum are answered by Dr. Machelle Seibel. Topics covered include menopause issues, depression, hormone replacement therapy , hot flashes, joint or muscle problems, memory problems, mood swings, osteoporosis , sexual problems, skin changes, sleeping problems, vaginal problems, and weight problems.
Slight, infrequent postmenopausal bleeding
by Nancy T, Jun 24, 2007 12:00AM
50 yrs old, 50 lbs overweight, no history of female cancer or other problems. 2 kids, married, all "female stuff" has always been normal, no abdominal pain, nothing. Took Aygestin once, for a week or two, maybe 3-4 years ago, nothing before or since.
Since menopause (last period was Dec. 2004), I've had slight spotting, at very irregular intervals.
It's just a little blood on the TP when I wipe myself after going to the bathroom. Almost never gets on my underwear. It's definitely vaginal.
It usually (but not always) occurs for several days in a row, up to as much as 10 days but usually less. Then nothing for weeks or months.
During this time, it MAY occur just once per day, sometimes around the same time of day (like when I get up to go to the bathroom at night), although often it occurs numerous times a day.
I assumed it was just last-gasp hormone fluctuations giving me teeny-tiny "periods." My ob/gyn last April said it was not normal but could be just hormone fluctuations and to let her know if it continued after another 6 months.
She retired and my new ob/gyn wants to do an ultrasound.
Do these characteristics--very small amount, infrequent occurrence, tendency to occur over days and sometimes at the same time of day--tell you anything about the likely source? Do residual hormone fluctuations commonly cause this?
Thanks very much,
Nancy
Since menopause (last period was Dec. 2004), I've had slight spotting, at very irregular intervals.
It's just a little blood on the TP when I wipe myself after going to the bathroom. Almost never gets on my underwear. It's definitely vaginal.
It usually (but not always) occurs for several days in a row, up to as much as 10 days but usually less. Then nothing for weeks or months.
During this time, it MAY occur just once per day, sometimes around the same time of day (like when I get up to go to the bathroom at night), although often it occurs numerous times a day.
I assumed it was just last-gasp hormone fluctuations giving me teeny-tiny "periods." My ob/gyn last April said it was not normal but could be just hormone fluctuations and to let her know if it continued after another 6 months.
She retired and my new ob/gyn wants to do an ultrasound.
Do these characteristics--very small amount, infrequent occurrence, tendency to occur over days and sometimes at the same time of day--tell you anything about the likely source? Do residual hormone fluctuations commonly cause this?
Thanks very much,
Nancy
Doctor's Answer
by Machelle Seibel, MD, Jun 24, 2007 12:00AM
, Jun 24, 2007 12:00AM
With your history, this could be normal and due to residual hormone levels. But it is impossible to be sure just by history.
An ultrasound will be very helpful. If the lining is < 4 mm thick, it is likely normal. If the lining is >4 mm, you might need to have the uterine lining checked with an endometrial biopsy to be sure. That involves a short office procedure done by placing a thin plastic tube into the uterus and scraping out a few cells to be looked at under the microscope. Take a few tylenol or similar over the counter medication before your office visit to help with cramping.
Machelle Seibel, MD
An ultrasound will be very helpful. If the lining is < 4 mm thick, it is likely normal. If the lining is >4 mm, you might need to have the uterine lining checked with an endometrial biopsy to be sure. That involves a short office procedure done by placing a thin plastic tube into the uterus and scraping out a few cells to be looked at under the microscope. Take a few tylenol or similar over the counter medication before your office visit to help with cramping.
Machelle Seibel, MD
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Nancy T.