Aa
post menopausal bleeding
I'm 52 years old and had my last period in February of 2014. After a blood test, my doctor confirmed that I am in menopause. Nine months later I started bleeding. I called my doctor and he took an endometrial biopsy. I am scheduled for a hysterosonogram (saline infused sonogram). I've been bleeding now for one week. I am concerned that it could be cancer. So far there are no results from the biopsy. I am not in any pain. In the last couple of days I'm starting to experience a soreness around the vaginal opening, but I'm attributing this to an irritation from the continued bleeding. It is not a heavy bleeding but it has not stopped in a week. I'v also been told I have fibroids but that they are very small. Any ideas?
If the vaginal soreness continues, you can try over-the-counter Replens. It is a vaginal moisturizer that only needs to be applied every few days or so.
No, there is no predisposition in my family for gynecologic cancer. I guess it's silly to worry so much. I will just have to wait for my test results.
The vaginal soreness is more than likely from falling estrogen levels since you are in perimenopause and missed so many periods. Hormones can also affect bowel function/motility. The bleeding is probably just another period since you have not gone a full year without one. Some women go right up to that full year and then have more periods. And as I mentioned, fibroids can make you bleed (or bleed more heavily).
Do you have some sort of predisposition for gynecologic cancer? If not, it is VERY unlikely to be cancer in which case there is no need to be so concerned. A woman without a predisposition has a less than 3% risk of endometrial cancer and less than 2% risk of ovarian cancer.
Do you have some sort of predisposition for gynecologic cancer? If not, it is VERY unlikely to be cancer in which case there is no need to be so concerned. A woman without a predisposition has a less than 3% risk of endometrial cancer and less than 2% risk of ovarian cancer.
The vaginal soreness isn't getting any better and I find myself being constipated but the bleeding stopped about 10 days after it started. I take supplements everyday. I'm getting more and more concerned that it could be cancer. My sonogram is scheduled for a week from today. What else could it be?
Thank you for your response. I feel much better after reading it. Perhaps my doctor is just covering all the bases, I don't know. Thank you again, I do feel a bit relieved.
You have to go a FULL YEAR without a period to be considered menopausal. During the transition to menopause when the cycle becomes irregular (which can include many months without a period), blood work (FSH) is not accurate. The FSH can swing between a menopausal level and a non- (or pre-) menopausal level.
Did an ultrasound show that your lining was thick? Is that why an endometrial biopsy was done? It is common for the lining to build up during the transition into menopause when you are not ovulating regularly and skipping periods. In most cases, the body does a good job of ridding itself of this lining before going into menopause which may be the sole cause of the current bleeding. Also, fibroids can cause bleeding regardless of their size but are otherwise usually harmless.
So try to remain calm - what you are experiencing is quite common and usually not an indicator of anything serious. Let us know what you find out.
Did an ultrasound show that your lining was thick? Is that why an endometrial biopsy was done? It is common for the lining to build up during the transition into menopause when you are not ovulating regularly and skipping periods. In most cases, the body does a good job of ridding itself of this lining before going into menopause which may be the sole cause of the current bleeding. Also, fibroids can cause bleeding regardless of their size but are otherwise usually harmless.
So try to remain calm - what you are experiencing is quite common and usually not an indicator of anything serious. Let us know what you find out.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Menopause Community
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
Normal vaginal discharge varies in color, smell, texture and amount.
Bumps in the genital area might be STDs, but are usually not serious.
Chlamydia, an STI, often has no symptoms, but must be treated.
From skin changes to weight loss to unusual bleeding, here are 15 cancer warning signs that women tend to ignore.
