Postmenopausal pain and bleeding

[Scottiex2]

I am a 60 year old breast cancer survivor who had a hystorectomy at age 30 because of extensive endometriosis.  My ovaries were preserved, and I went through a normal menopause, albeit a little early, at about age 38 or 40.  I am sexually active, and have had a comfortable, healthy sex life.  Suddenly, over the last few weeks, intercourse has become very painful and I bleed, both after intercourse and at times in between.  It is just spotting, but it is getting a little heavier.  There is no discharge and no infection.  The vulva is a little inflamed.  There is no pain during urination.  I do not have a uterus because of the hystorectomy, so I can assume that I do not have uterine cancer.  I have tried using Vagisil and other creams, to no avail.  Could this be a cancer, such as cervical cancer?  Or is this more likely to be the aging and thinning of my tissues?  If this is the case, why did it come on so suddenly, and what can be done about it?

Thank you very much.

[Scottiex2]

Thank you so much.  I will check this out.  I have not been to a gynecologist for years since I was no longer having children nor periods, and I had already had a hysterectomy (thanks for the correct spelling).  I appreciate your taking the time to answer so much.  You have eased my mind about a possible cancer.  I had my breast cancer 14 years ago.  Following my cancer, every member in my birth family had cancer, and all of them died but me.  We all had different cancers:  mine was breast, my sister's was colon cancer, my father's was lung cancer, and  my mother's was second hand smoke lung cancer.  Following my sister's colon cancer, I had a colonoscopy and had five polyps, three that were fairly late stage precancers.  So cancer is something that comes to my mind if anything unusual happens.  Thanks again so much for easing my mind.  I will take your advice and get this little problem seen about.

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
How are you doing?
The cervix is also removed during hysterectomy.   You are having post coital bleeding.  It may mean problem in the vagina or vulvar areas.   Post coital laceration can be a consideration.  A genital tract infection should also be ruled-out.
You should see your gynecologist for proper medical care.  You should not self-medicate.
Take care and God bless.