Anxiety about abnormal bleeding

[lucsnowe]

I wonder if anyone can help. A few weeks ago I posted to say I had had an unexpected bleed on day 23 of my cycle. I knew it wasn't my period as this was far too early and this was confirmed for me when my period started, just as I had expected, a week later. I did see the gp a few days after the bleed. She examined me and said the only odd thing was she could see lots of blood vessels coming through my cervix. She said this could just be because my period was due. Then two days later, my GP phoned saying that, having thought about what she saw, she would refer me to the hospital. I am now so worried and have made the mistake of googling abnormal bleeding. Does anyone on here have any knowledge or experience of uterine cancer? This is another health worry for me, after a huge amount of anxiety after a worrying mammogram. Thank God my breasts were ok. But now I'm really worried about this.

Bump?

It could be a cervical polyp? I've had one, it bled all the damn time, esp after sex. Had it removed under local anaesthetic and never had a problem since!

Thank you dear teddy. I'm pleased yours was sorted out. I just would have thought the doctor would have found the polyp when she examined me.

Hi could it be an erosion? These are common and harmless. If I were you I would phone the doctor, tell her you are anxious and ask what her thoughts are. I have had various investigations for abnormal bleeding over the years and causes have always been benign: hormonal in my early 30s and now age 40 a benign polyp. Malignancy is rare under 40 I think.

Thank you Leon. (Sorry, iPad won't allow me to type your name in full!). I am actually 41. Probably a good idea to phone the gp, you're right, although I think she's found my anxious disposition a bit of a nuisance, and she's clearly very busy. But I might just do it.

Cervical polyps are not necessarily seen during pelvic examination (I think they can be seen only if they are protruding through the cervical canal). Uterine polyps are usually seen by transvaginal u/s, but sometimes not even then. Cervical erosion is another very common benign cause of abnormal bleeding. Hormonal are another one as well.
I think they will do colposcopy and pap smear which would be a sensible first step to investigate any abnormal bleeding further.
As Tholeonagain said, I would give GP a call and ask her what is her opinion about it. I hope you won't wait too long before your hospital appointment.
The good thing that you need to keep in mind is that you sought medical help as soon as you spotted the problem. Whatever it turns out to be, it will be treated at the very beginning.

Thank you for your message, bubba. My appointment is on Friday. If the bleed is hormonal, do you not think it odd that my period started when I expected it? Can the hormones be disturbed and then just pick up as if normal? I will call my GP on Monday.

I know it's easy to say, but try not to worry. I had probs with cervical erosion in my 20's (vaguely remember having some cauterising thing done. 2 years ago (early 50's) I had random bleeding, mid-cycle bleeding and pain after sex. My GP said that because I was over 40, he had to refer me. An ultrasound showed 2 polyps which were removed quickly and without need for any anaesthetics and all was fine after they'd gone. Also had a cyst which was found also after pain and bleeding last year. I was sent for a scan and an endometrial cyst was found. It was re-scanned 6 weeks later and had shrunk so nothing needed doing. It was only when I had a transvaginal scans that the polyps and the cyst were found.

I was really worried when I was referred the first time but the GP stressed that if you're over 40 they pack you off for investigations (he said it in a way that made me think he was required to do that). He said that it didn't mean he was worried or that I should be. I also got worried because my appointment for the last scan was really really quick. It's only natural to be anxious but most causes of bleeding are benign. Hope you get an appointment soon.

Mounterayjack, thank you so much for your long and reassuring message. You certainly seem to have had some stressful times; I'm pleased all of your issues had benign causes. I really appreciate hearing that it is general policy to refer cases of abnormal bleeding over 40. My appointment is next Friday, so only another week away. Thank you again.

Thanks lucsnowe. Not sure if it's general policy to send all over 40's to gynae dept if they have any abnormal bleeding or the policy of our trust. But either way it definitely seems to be something they are very likely to opt for. I'd rather have them erring on the side of caution though then missing stuff, even if it does cause anxiety. The gynae consultant who removed my polyps also confirmed that most bleeding is due to benign polyps, erosion, cysts. Hope all goes well for you next Fri.

I had this and had a uterine polyp removed. I think it's a good thing you're being referred to gynae and can get it examined. There are lots of things it could be - mostly minor and easily treated.

I am having the same problem (i'm 44) and have been referred for a hysteroscopy in a few weeks as the ultrasound showed nothing up. Although i'm not looking forward to it, I am grateful for the prompt treatment I am recieving.

Thank you for your message, megGriffin. Can you describe your bleeding? What days of your cycle does it occur (if any in particular)? How much is there? How long does it last? Good luck with the hysteroscopy.

Hello lucsnowe. Mine originally started in December but for the first months I didn't pay too much attention. went to docs late Jan and she examined me (all looks fine) and sent me for vaginal ultrasound. That came back clear so doc said to me to come off pill to see if it was the pill making this happen. so I came off the pill and it continued. the additional bleeding is quite light and is normally prompted by me pooing, although it definitely comes out of vagina. It is always red and not like menstrual blood somehow. I have another thread going for my hysteroscopy but that's a whole other story if you want to look at it .

Meg, thank you for your message and thank you for describing the bleeding. I will look up your other thread. Did anyone suggest that your bleeding could be cervical erosion? I do hope the hysteroscopy goes smoothly.

She did wonder about cervical erosion but said when she looked it looked healthy. I am up to date with my smears, due next year I think so I have not been offered another smear. I have a history of endometriosis but have jever had abnornal bleeding as a symptomcof that in the past.

I think it is also a fairly common symptom of peri-menopause (hope that doesn't upset you!!)....but definitely better to get checked out. I have had similar and had smear, ultrasounds etc. GPs tend to refer quickly for this as it is fairly easy and cheap to have a quick ultrasound.

Sorry OP to come back a bit late to this thread. Yes, I think hormonal bleeding can be followed by normal menstrual bleeding. There are no rules and as mentioned before it could be a sign of perimenopause.

Thank you to everyone on here who has commented and supported me. I had my appointment at the hospital today. The doctor examined my cervix with a camera and said all was ok, which I am very pleased about. However, as I have said here and as I made clear to him, my real anxiety is that I could have uterine or ovarian cancer. The doctor dismissed these possibilities saying they were very unlikely and only if I continued to bleed abnormally would he consider doing an ultrasound examination of my uterus and ovaries. So while I am partially reassured, I still have a fear and anxiety at the back of my mind. It seems to me that once I was in the hospital it would have been sensible to do the ultrasound examination, which is surely not expensive. He did not even take a cervical smear. Whilst I am encouraged that the doctor was not worried, I am wondering whether he might have missed something and that time is passing when action should be taken. I did make clear I would like the ultrasound examination, but he just refused. I wonder what other people think?

It's a shame he didn't do an ultrasound as i'm sure they could have done it there and then. However it is reassuring what he has told you. I guess if you have any more bleeding go straight back to the gp as suggested by the consultant. It is frustrating as there is not much else you can do.

Yes, definitely go back to the GP if needed and ask to be re-referred.

Thank you meg and NCFTTB. Yes, meg, it is frustrating as I felt I made myself as clear as possible, but he still refused. NCFTTB, do you think I should just ask to be re-referred anyway, before waiting for more bleeding?

Might be worth a try? It depends what your GP is like I expect? In my experience they take any unexplained bleeding very seriously as there are so many things it could be (mostly fairly minor and easily treated) from an infection to cancer so a trip to gynae and tests are the only way they can determine what's wrong.

very surprised they didn't do ultrasound, it was the first thing my gp referred me for after ruling out infection and checking smears were up to date. It's a very quick and presumably inexpensive procedure. Mine showed fibroids. Definitely go back to gp and insist you're referred for one. My gp referred me, not gynae, and appointment was within 3 weeks.

Hi mine sent me for an ultrasound as I am over 40 and had a couple of months of abnormal bleeding, I think yours should do the same.