Post-menopausal bleeding - consultant appointment and worried

[ChristmasFairyLiquid]

Hoping someone can give me some words of reassurance or at least an idea of what to expect.

I had a post-menopausal bleed (felt exactly like a period - 5 days long with sore boobs in the run up) last month.

Contacted the doctor as you’re meant to and had an ultrasound and internal scan last week.

Have just been called for an appointment with a consultant at the hospital on Saturday which has terrified me. Does anyone know if this is standard, or what it might mean, or what I can expect? Thank you for any info.

Please try not to panic it could be a number of things. I had similar and it was diagnosed as fibroids which were removed under an epidural and they didn't return. I'm OK.

I've had appointments at my local hospital on a Sunday. I wouldn't read too much into it, I think they've got extra funding to try to clear the backlog.
Try not to panic, easier said than done I know!

Thank you both so much for replying.

Really pleased to see your positive stories. The words ‘urgent suspected cancer referral’ have sent me into a bit of a tailspin. Really think they might give you a bit of context before sticking that in your notes! (Though I appreciate that’s what it is.)

Standard. Are you on HRT? I am and have had quite a few period-like bleeds over the years since menopause. Investigated each time, two hysteroscopies, nothing sinister found except a couple of fibroids. It’s much more common than you might think and to my mind women should be made aware so that we don’t worry as we go through the process. It’s unlikely to be anything of concern but it’s important to get the investigation done. Weekend appointments are also more about getting through the list than because something awful is wrong.

Thank you @Kissedbyfire1. I’m not on HRT. The bleed was almost 12 months to the day from my last period which from reading, isn’t uncommon.

I’m crossing everything that there’s a non-cancerous explanation but my imagination is running away with me as I expect most women’s do.

Completely agree the post-menopausal bleeding should be talked about more.

Also, I had no idea that the ‘two week wait’ system of urgent appointments had been renamed as ‘suspected cancer referral’ - I mean, I know the 2WW was a euphemism and that’s what it is, but again some context would have been nice…

I suppose there’s a balance to be struck between reassuring women that post-menopausal bleeding isn’t uncommon and unlikely to be anything concerning and being firm that it must be investigated. Too reassuring and people might not bother to take up the referral. That said, I know I, and I assume pretty much every woman thought the menopause meant no more bleeding ever, which just isn’t the case. I know what causes mine, I know it’s nothing bad but off I dutifully go for my scans and whatnot - I’m a frequent flyer!

Yes, I agree - it’s a balancing act. And clearly there is something not right about my initial scan results or I wouldn’t have been called back, so the bleed did need investigating.

My doctor warned me that it would say urgent cancer referral but it still took about 6 weeks. My bleeding was caused by a polyp - I had it removed and all fine now. I highly recommend a general anaesthetic if you need a hysteroscopy.

Sounds like your doctor has better comms skillls than mine!!

I’m probably fortunate then that this second appointment has been scheduled so quickly - will try and look at it that way rather than reading anything sinister into it.

Glad yours was dealt with and thank you for the advice about the GA.

I had similar to you - turned out to be polyps. It is worrying to be seen so quickly, but it is also reassuring, IYSWIM.
I hope your appointment goes well x

it can be very scary, OP 💕

I had post-menopausal bleeds with Covid vaccines, when I had Covid, and when I started Mounjaro weight loss injections.

Ive had scans each time and they’ve all been fine. The scanographer said she could see evidence of an egg being released, probably due to the vaccines/medication activating or messing up hormones.

i was referred to the consultant for one for a potential hysteroscopy, which at the appointment the consultant said would not be needed.

its great you’re being seen so quickly. Let us know how you get on, and I second exploring hysteroscopy analgesia if you do need one - my experience is the medics play down the need for it and some women have unnecessarily traumatic experiences.

Thank you so much @KnewYearKnewMe for replying and the good wishes 🥰

I’m really pleased yours turned out well too.

And will definitely report back, I searched similar threads and there weren’t many outcomes posted so whatever happens I will come back and let you know.

And thank you @Dreamingofsunnyskies - pleased yours had an easy resolution too. I do know what you mean about the speed bring scary but also reassuring.

In a similar position but not had the scan yet

having done some research I think this scenario is very common

i have a scan next week. I was kinda hoping I might get reassurance there and then. Did you get any feedback at the scan?

@Clearinguptheclutter thanks for replying and sorry you’re going through it too.

They wouldn’t give me any indication of the findings at the scan, although that may be because they’d seen something; perhaps if it was clear they would have said.

The lady who rang with my appointment also made it clear that she didn’t have access to medical info - again, fine, I’m sure that’s true but it all makes the process feel a bit sinister and guarded.

Thinking of you and hope your scan comes back clear.

Thanks @ChristmasFairyLiquid yeah to be honest if they find something but are not sure what it is it probably doesn’t help anyone to speculate does it

best case scenario nothing at all is found but at least a hysteroscopy (my doc has suggested this will be the next step) should clear things up one way or another. Hope you get it sorted quickly. While the language can be alarming remember it’s about ruling out cancer most of the time

I’ve had a couple of post menopause bleeds, both times put on the two week pathway, both with biopsies and both fine. Try not to worry, it’s very common.

In my case it was the big C. But they only knew this as the result of a biopsy.
But it was caught very early, and other than having a radical hysterectomy (by robots, highly recommended), I didn’t need any further treatment. And I have now been discharged.
so even that isn’t necessarily as frightening a diagnosis as it was in the past.

I've had this a couple of times, it turned out to be polyps but I think it's reassuring that they were investigated swiftly and thoroughly.

Might be for a biopsy. (Ouchy) Ask for pain relief. Not recommended without.

Sometimes periods can be disrupted by COVID vaccine (apparently, hearsay from a medic not seen the research myself) so if you are near the end of your periods anyway might be that.

Could be polyps near the cervix.

I also highly recommend a general anaesthetic if you need a hysteroscopy. Please see Campaign Against Painful Hysteroscopy on Twitter, Facebook, BlueSky.

I've had this twice now (waiting for the results of the second one) I think they do try to be reassuring but also it's policy to put you on an urgent cancer referral if the womb lining is thicker than a certain depth.

I hope it is all ok and you get reassurance on Sunday

Hospitals are financially incentivised to do outpatient hysteroscopy and post-menopause it can be extremely painful to the extent that many women are left with PTSD. Please see Campaign Against Painful Hysteroscopy on Facebook or Twitter so that you are fully informed of your right to choose sedation or general anaesthetic for this procedure.

I could not agree more that medics play down the pain.

Thank you all for the input and advice, I’ve gone from nobody replying to a wealth of support so thank you all so much 💐

@MollyButton I’m sorry you had bad news but so pleased it’s now all sorted and you’re discharged.

To everyone else, thank you for your stories.

And for the info on pain relief - I tend to work myself up a bit about these things so definitely would want the path of least discomfort. I’ll take a look at the fb etc pages, thank you for all the recommendations.