Post menopausal bleed.

[twiddlingthumbs69]

Has anybody experienced this? I’m 20 years post and started very light bleeding yesterday.

Ive got a GP appointment in the morning but I’m worried they are going to try and do an internal.

Its so painful I simply can’t tolerate it, even with the heavy breathing, thinking of England etc 😂.

so, just wondering if anyone else has had this, what was it, what happened (I’m assuming they’ll refer).

im not on HRT etc so cant point it to that

anyway, any advice would be much appreciated

Yes, I've had this. Was referred for an ultrasound and subsequently for a hysteroscopy with biopsy. It was all fine in the end.

Ah thank you x

Yep, me too at 69. I got quite the fright after 20 years of nothing in that department and of course you think the worst. Similarly terrified of internals at this stage of life too. GP didn't do an exam, just history and referred me.

Anyway, the kindest gynaecologist in the world attempted an internal and it was a disaster, I freaked out. Not ashamed of that one bit, it was how I felt. Anyway, said gynae agreed that she could not proceed so I had a transcervical resection, which ablated the womb lining and got rid of polyps, and took biopsies. So it was all done in one go under general anaesthesia. Thankfully all was benign and it was probably the polyps that caused the bleeding.

The recovery was a bit meh, lots of pain, bleeding and unfortunately a nasty UTI, but it passed within a couple of weeks.

Good luck, the statistics are very positive for post meno bleeding being benign.

Well done for seeing a doctor. My mother also saw her doctor when she had post menopausal bleeding and it saved her life.

Quite a few of my friends have had this. Anecdotally my friends’ experience mirrors pp reference to stats - high chance of being nothing but very important to follow up just in case.

Same here. Neither the vaginal ultrasound nor the hysteroscopy were pleasant, but preferable to the alternative of there being something wrong and it progressing. Do speak to your doctor and tell them your symptoms and concerns.

Look into the different options with hysteroscopy, which you might well be referred for-GA is just one of them, depending on your hospital, and ask a medical professional about the best for you.

You can ask for a hysteroscopy with biopsy under general aesethetic. Without isnt pleasant and quite painful I wont lie but obvs no recovery period as such, I had a cuppa and left within the hour.

Thanks all for your advice. I have an appointment next Wednesday at outpatients gynaecologist where they will be an internal ultrasound and external (I think). Just hope I can tolerate the internal. By all accounts it looks like they don’t have to go in very far. If that’s the case I think I can manage but the internal I had at GP the other day, using the smallest speculum, didn’t go in very far at all. Obv really want results and don’t want to have to go back again because they couldn’t do the procedure. Make the mistake of googling the transvaginal ultrasound wand, it looks huge. I know if doesn’t go in far but still….

No just the first bit goes in...it's such a great way of detecting and seeing whats going on in there if anything.

I close my eyes and sing songs in my head or recite poetry so you're not thinking about whats going on. Fairly common for it to take a while as they take measurements of bits like the odd cyst or fybroid.

No uncommon also is the lining of your cervix is thicker than usual. So expect them to say that.

And deep breathing helps...deep breathe count to 4, hold in for 4, release count 4.

Tell them you are extrwmely nervous abd how painful it was at GPs let them know. They may use numbing cream or something to help

Let us know how you get on

@Eggybreadwithnutsthank you for your explanation, that’s really put my mind at rest.
Ill keep you posted x

I have sadly had a few internal ultrasounds post miscarriage. Really just the tip goes it..that's it. I suspect you will be just fine.

I remember my mum had bleeding in her late sixties and really panicked, but her GP examined her and it was thrush. She had no symptoms other than the bleeding. Mum was a bit skeptical due to the amount of blood, but it cleared up with treatment. Just so you know that it can be something very simple.

Edited because I didn’t read your update. Sorry. I had an internal ultrasound to check for an ectopic pregnancy (having already had one) and another in my late forties due to mid cycle bleeding and it was very quick and painless.

Thanks all. I’m not the most patient person so really hope that whatever it is can be done on the day and it’s over and done with. Really hoping they don’t just stick me on a never ending waiting list once they’ve done the initial assessment

First thing to say is, well done for dealing with it, and now for the comforting stats, just under 92% are nothing to worry about and the more you mention it to female friends the more you will find have gone through this.

Unfortunately after years of having no issues either a ‘scope they struggled to get in as I appear to have atrophied… yes, that really made me feel good. My biopsy was done two weeks later under GA, followed by one of the best egg sarnies ever!

About a month ago I found out I was one of the 8%, and will be having a robotic hysterectomy in 10 days time. The good news is the type I have is a lazy little blighter, bit like its owner and it may well be that is where it stops and no further treatment is needed

The only thing I can say is to deal with it one day at a time, just deal with what is in front of you on that day, it is a waste of your energy worrying about what ifs, just take the day you are in and enjoy every moment of it.

Just seen your last post, post menopausal bleeding puts you on the two weeks cancer pathway, you will find yourself hurtling through the system, so no, you will not waiting around.

@twiddlingthumbs69 how did you get on?

@Eggybreadwithnuts sorry, meant to update last night.

it wasn’t what I was hoping I’m afraid. I’ve got multiple cysts on one ovary and a “mass” on, or near the other.

i managed the trans vag scan ok and the biopsy surprisingly. Also had bloods taken.

so, now I’m waiting for an mri date, soon hopefully.

i must admit this has totally knocked me sideways. Of all the things I thought it could be, this wasn’t one of them.

Yes. I got on the 2 week pathway straightaway and had a hysterectomy within 6 weeks. All very straightforward.

Sorry- missed your update. Don’t panic. They’ve got you now. ♥️

@twiddlingthumbs69 sorry to read your update but it shows that you're right to go and get post menopausal bleeds looked at.

I also had the transvaginal scan, (, following a post menopause bleed and two week wait referral) that showed thickening and the gynaecologist immediately performed a hysteroscopy and took biopsies (he offered an appointment under general anaesthetic but I didn't want to wait)
Total hysterectomy, ovaries and tubes removed 6weeks later as I had pre cancerous changes.

Right, a soft tissue biopsy results are usually available five working days after the snatch and grab, this will give you more detail as to what exactly you are dealing with, add to that time for an Mult-Disciplinary Team mtg to discuss say two or three working days, then you can expect a call. The MRI will see if it has spread and where... mine appears to have affected my L ovary, at my advanced years they expect my ovaries to be shrivelled, my L one is bouncy, it will also indicate whether it has hit your pelvic nodes but that is not always clear on the MRI. I suspect that once you have a definitive biopsy, scans will happen quickly and you will also have a CT scan to check your thoracic organs (lungs etc). Both of these will be done with contrast, so they will be stabbing you again to get the best images and then a decision about what and how they will remove things. Happy to let you know what happens to me, if you find that helpful... and equally happy to be quiet if your find it difficult.

Remember that there is no right way to do this, just getting through should be enough.

@LatteLady thank you so much. I would really like it if you could keep me updated.
My usual way of dealing with a worry is to research like mad but of course I can’t in this instance as I don’t have all the facts. That just leaves me going round in circles.
i was told after the biopsy that I wouldn’t hear for 2-3 weeks so I’m assuming they’ll want to look at those alongside my mri on Monday.
its just the bloody waiting that gets me. I’ve always been pro active with things but this has left me in limbo

OP try not to worry, you're fast tracked and they are on it. Keep posting here for advice or just to hang out. 🩷

@Eggybreadwithnuts thank you. It’s all the waiting, as it is for everyone I suppose.
im a nervous wreck 😰