Please could someone offer some reassurance? Very scared.

[hawleybits]

I can't even be sure that menopause has occured for me, or what stage I might be at. Other than age being a factor, I am almost 53, and the long absence of a period, I haven't had a single symptom that I can recognise.

So, no period for almost a year leading up to Christmas last year, then, just as I was beginning to think I'd escaped - my 'period' started and never really stopped. That's if it is a period. It's not even heavy enough to use a tampon but is fresh, light red blood when I wee, sometimes with little clots and occasionally smells horrid!

I visited my GP who referred me to a gynae clinic today to rule out (I thought) fibroids as a cause of incessant bleeding. I went in not really worried at all but have left feeling very anxious.

I had a vaginal scan which showed an enlarged uterus and thickening of the uterine wall. Consultant then did a further (long stick through the cervix) to collect cells for closer examination. She said she had taken a good amount of cells.

She then went on to use the c word and said it cannot be ruled out at this stage. Can she tell from the scan? My results will be back within a week.

I am now worried to death and hope that someone here has a reassuring similar story that ended well.

Please try not to worry.
How long ago was your last period?
This is quite common but your dr has done all the right things.
It's just a shame that the consultant didn't explain more frankly what they were looking for and the outcomes etc.

The guidelines by the RCOG are that any woman who has not had a period ( menopause age) for 12 months then has some bleeding must be investigated and cancer of the uterine lining suspected until its proved otherwise. That is why drs will refer women for tests etc within 2 weeks. The number of women who do have cancer is very small but this fast-track approach is the safest.

Fibroids won't cause bleeding if your periods have stopped. All fibroids do is sometimes make periods heavier. Some women have polyps which can bleed at other times.

A lot depends on how long ago your period was. If it was over 2 years then it's more worrying but if it was anywhere from 6-14 months then it could simply be a period and your lining has thickened due to that.

The biopsy you had is 98% accurate (I've had this done.) The scan can't show everything completely - but they can see that you have some thickening and that is why they have now taken some cells. If there is any doubt over what they find then you will be given a hysteroscopy- like a biopsy but with a small camera- so they can look in more detail.

Thank you pinkfrocks. It's difficult to tell when my last period was but I suspect I had one proper period in January 2014 (which was normal) and then nothing more until November/December. As far as I remember, it stopped and started again in january. I'm not very good at keeping records!

Anyway, that last period in January never really stopped and has now continued, with maybe a 24 break, until now.

I thought my Dr had sent me for a fibroid check and had said something reasuring about fibroids shrinking with diminishing hormones as we age and this causes them to bleed. I felt happy enough with that explanation.

So now, with talk of enlarged and thickened lining of the uterus, I realise it could be worse. It's so difficult to put it out of my mind and I feel that knowledge is power but I'm not liking what I read.

Fibroids do shrink post meno but they don't usually bleed as part of that. A fibroid is an overgrowth of muscle in the lining - 50% of women have them and most don't know they have them! All a fibroid 'does' is increase the surface area of the lining so you can end up with heavier bleeding if they are large ( some can be the size of an orange or larger.)

If your previous period was less than 12 months ago (Jan to Nov) then it is likely that all you are having is a long and annoying bleed that is caused by lack of progesterone. you will be having most cycles without ovulation which means you won't bleed regularly but when you do it can be long and irregular. when you say a 24 break, you mean for 24 hours, not days?

Did the dr who did the biopsy not tell you how long it would be before they sent you the result? It's usually only a few days. Have you been told whether you go back to your GP for the result or the clinic?

Sorry yes, I'm not making myself clear. When I have a break, it's just sort of overnight or for one day and then it all starts again.

Now I have read your meaage I feel better. I scoured my diary for any reminders of when my most recent periods/bleeds were. Is it possible at my age (53 in July) to still be having periods? I believe I had an actual period around Christmas time and then a two week break off and then this lot.

The Dr at the clinic told me I'd have the results within a week and that she would phone me herself. She took my house and mobile number and asked whether I was happy to receive results on my mobile. Her whole attitude was very sombre and didn't make me feel reassured - quite the reverse in fact - and I'm not one to fret about my health in general, ever.

It's totally possible to have periods at 53- I did and so did many of my friends!

It's a shame your dr wasn't more reassuring. She clearly has a poor bedside manner.

I'd say - based on my experience and my friends'- that it's hormonal. Try not to worry- worrying won't change the result of the tests, so keep busy and deal with the outcome when you get it. Easier said than done but it's only a few days.

You're absolutely right, worrying isn't going to change anything. I really do feel much more settled now after talking to you pinkfrocks thank you!

Just a quick update.

I had a phone call today from the gynae doctor to say, nothing to worry about, biopsy all clear and looks like I'm still having cycles and have a build up of endometrial lining, due to not such egular periods. So hormonal as you said Pinkfrocks.

She still recommends a hysteroscopy, to rule out polyps and promises that it won't be as uncomfortable as the previous biopsy procedure but actually, I am so relieved, I don't even care!

I hope this news might help anyone else looking for reassurance on these boards. And thank you Pinkfrocks

That's great news! I read the thread from the start and was really worried for you. So glad everything's OK.

Thank you ImperialBlether I'm lucky to have good people around me in real life but it's also lovely to think there is support and concern here too.