If you're post menopausal read this....posting here for traffic

[happinessischocolate]

I didn't know this, so passing it on.....

I am a Family Doctor and I want to keep a promise made to a patient.

Julie was a healthy, post-menopausal woman in my care who came in for a periodic health examination. One of my routine questions, in what is called the “Review of Systems”, was to ask if she had experienced any vaginal bleeding.

She said “No” but then laughed and added, “Other than when my period came back for a few months last year”.

All health care professionals are taught early on that ‘vaginal bleeding in a post-menopausal woman is Cancer of the Uterus until proven otherwise’. This comment by Julie was, therefore, a red flag (no pun intended) prompting further questions, an examination and an ultrasound of her pelvis.

Julie was surprised to see me so concerned, especially since the symptoms had not recurred over many months.

Sure enough, a pelvic ultrasound and tissue sampling confirmed Cancer of the Uterus.

Julie underwent a hysterectomy and radiation therapy. She is now healthy, cancer-free and is expected to stay that way.

After all this was done, Julie sat ME down for a talk. She told me she’d had no idea a ‘short return’ of her period after menopause was a danger signal. Furthermore, she addressed the topic with friends over coffee and discovered that, out of 20 women, NONE of them knew this symptom was abnormal! She admonished me to “Tell women this! Don’t assume we know it!”

From that day on, I have kept Julie’s advice in mind when talking with post-menopausal patients. But recently my wife suggested that I should take this to a wider audience.

So, Julie, this is for you:

If you are a post-menopausal woman and your period ‘comes back’ or you have even one episode of vaginal bleeding, TELL A HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL and insist on having it investigated!

Wishing you all good health and long lives.

Unusual bleeding in a non menopausal woman should be checked out too.

Early 30s for me was same diagnosis as the original post.

I thought the rule was that post menopausal bleeding was cancer of the cervix unless proven otherwise?

How do you differentiate between 11 months period free then 3 periods or 13 months period free then 3 periods. Maybe all should be checked.

@happinessischocolate

"Columbo's got nothing on you 😁 maybe the clue was in my first sentence"

I didn't know this, so passing it on....

No shit Sherlock. I was actually pointing this out in your defence to some of the posters who presumed you were the Doctor... So many Charlatans out there nowadays.

I do know this, partly because my grandmother died of uterine cancer after ignoring bleeding, so my mum always stressed how important it was to get this symptom checked. She had a scare herself, which turned out to be nothing.

I had some unusual bleeding between periods in my mid forties and was sent to have it investigated. The wonderful and very calm consultant told me that any unusual bleeding should be investigated, including of course post menopausal bleeding. But, she stressed, most of the time it is either a benign condition or unexplained. Just make sure to get it checked.

Any irregular bleeding should be checked out regardless of age and menopause status.
If your GP refuses to refer you to a gynaecologist, insist and insist again, don't take no for an answer.
Execute your right to a second opinion.
Your health and more importantly, your life matters.
Never be made to feel that you're wasting anyone's time or that you're being silly.

Happened to my lovely mum - heavy intermittent post-meno bleeding. GP convinced it was kidney related (), waited 9 months to see kidney specialist who took one look at her and told her she needed to see a gynaecologist. Of course it was too late by the time she was diagnosed with endometrial cancer. She had hysterectomy and chemo, radiotherapy etc but died 2 years after diagnosis.
Obviously I'm ultra aware now but think probably a lot of women aren't, and given the general down-playing of conditions which affect women, anything that encourages women to be assertive and ask for further investigations can only be a good thing. I also wonder about her original GP - if he'd been a bit more clued-up, would my mum still be with us??

I thought this was normal and that menopause can kind of come and go. Thanks for informing us of this important issue that I had no idea about.

It is a bit more complex than the original post implies though, as in my experience it depends on your own menopausal journey . I went into menopause very early (all over by my early 40's, as confirmed by blood tests, so not just period counting ) but proceeded to have 2 or 3 cases of unexplained bleeding in the following 8 or 9 years. I followed up each one and nothing was ever found. It was put down to random hormonal surges (in one case triggered by the stress of a bereavement), possibly due to the fact that I had had my menopause so early. Eventually I had an ablation and have not bled since. However I do agree with the basic point, that women should be aware that periods don't just "come back" after menopause and any bleeding should be investigated.

@SuzieQQQ

I thought this was normal and that menopause can kind of come and go. Thanks for informing us of this important issue that I had no idea about.

Why would you think menopause could come and go? There’s nothing anywhere that says that. It’s 12 months since your last period. Very specific.

My (non menopausal) sister had similar! She went to the GP as she had a spate of nosebleeds. GP not that bothered by those but asked if she had experienced any other bleeding. Yes, one mid cycle bleed. She hadn’t given it any thought. Turns out to be an ovarian cyst, so big the keyhole surgery turned into full opening up her up to remove.

So, not just post menopausal - GP told her ANY bleeding mid cycle at any age should be investigated.

Thanks for this, have forwarded to everyone I know.

Very useful and informative, thank you. Will make sure to pass this message on.

@RedDiamond apologies, I kind of realised that when I reread it after posting, but with no edit or delete button, I just let it ride 😁

@Pixxie7 umm no. Why on earth would you think that?

@happinessischocolate I think we all wish there was an edit button! No worries and thank you!

FelicityFisher@ because that was what we were taught.