Spotting ten days after period - Sorry if TMI

[gleekster]

I am 50 and to be honest I thought I had gone through the menopause. I hadn't had a period since Jan 2015, and the hot flushes stopped about three months ago.

However, I had another period in Jan 2016, so 12 months since the last one. This period was pretty normal, nothing unusual in terms of flow or anything.

Ten days later, I started to notice bright red, not dark, blood on tissue every time I go to the loo. It's not really enough to have to use sanpro, although I did use a tampon just to make double sure that's where the blood was coming from and it is.

I went to see GP and she doesn't seem that interested. She thinks it may be linked to stress - I just had a string of awful things happening, including losing a parent. She told me to come back in a week and she would investigate further. I now wish I had asked her to check me out whilst I was there. I don't really understand why I have to go back in a week!!

The bleeding has continued for five days now and is still very light and doesn't feel at all like having a period.

Obviously I have googled my symptoms and have convinced myself I have cancer. Can anyone share similar experiences going through menopause? Try to put my mind at rest?

Sorry about the loss of your parent- sounds like you have had a tough time lately.

The 'rule' is that any bleeding after a 12 month gap should be investigated. The usual procedure is either an ultrasound scan and / or a hysteroscopy. Under the 'rule' you ought to be referred within 2 weeks.

There are no checks your GP can do because the referral will cover the tests.

However, it's worth bearing in mind that you had 'just' a 12 month gap with no bleeding- our bodies aren't an exact science! They have to decide on a cut-off point for testing. Some women will be perfectly healthy even if they have another period after 15 months or even 18 months. What's interesting is that your flushes stopped at around the same time that your bleeding started again- in the lead up to your period in January. This could mean you were ovulating or trying to and your oestrogen levels rose = no hot flushes. (I'm talking from personal experience here as this was a pattern for me.)

From what you have said, it seems likely that this is a normal menopause- a gap then irregular bleeding. I'd not worry about the colour of blood- not really an issue.

Maybe give it another 2-3 weeks and see what happens then ask your GP if she is happy to refer you for a scan- she ought to have anyway after a 12 month gap.

Thanks Polly

I don't know if this is relevant but I had a period in January 2016, previous one was January 2015, previous one to that was January 2014, so I have been having annual periods so to speak!! Prior to January 2014 they were about every two/three months.

I know I am catastrophising and it is probably just hormones/stress. Possibly fibroids or polyps. I just can't stop worrying that it is something more sinister. I will have to wait to see GP next week and hope she refers me then. I will make sure she doesn't fob me off.

You seem to be one of those annoying people (from your point of view!) who has a period - whoops!- just as they reach the 'magic' 12 months.

It's more likely to be hormonal. You are still not at the average age for meno which is 52. Irregular bleeding is par for the course - at one stage I had a 17 day cycle.

This might be helpful if you need to print off and show your GP something.

patient.info/doctor/postmenopausal-bleeding

There are 3 levels of investigation
Scan (transvaginal)
Biopsy
Hysteroscopy / biopsy

I've had them all, so PM me if you want any advice.

Management
History and examination may possibly indicate cause, but it is generally accepted that PMB should be treated as malignant, until proved otherwise. This requires referral to a gynaecologist with an appointment within two weeks.[6]

Thanks so much Polly

Yes, I guess I think of myself as post menopausal when clinically I am not.

Hopefully it is all stress and hormonal related and I can forget about it. I will be back if things progress.........