Bleeding after the menopause

[Jenasaurus]

I know this can be a bad sign as I have googled since it happened. I have an appointment with my doctor on Monday but I wondered if anyone else has had this and the how likely is it to be Cancer?

I had my last period on December 12th 2017. I am 54. And woke up yesterday morning needing the loo. After I had been I noticed blood on the toilet paper and at first suspected piles. When I stood up blood was running down my leg. On further examination I realised that it’s coming from either my vagina or urethra. It’s bright red blood and constant hut not heavy. It’s apparent every time I pass water it turns red and I woke to find blood on my sheets

Not really any pain except mild cramps in the background but not constant. I don’t seem to be able to go long between passing water either so I wondered if possibly a bladder infection

I know none of you are doctors but I am dreading going to see my doctor on Monday. I have a phobia of gynaecological examinations following a bad experience

So as not to drip feed. My mum had ovarian cancer in her 70s and my sister had abnormal cells in her 30/ and had a hysterectomy but both of the above are not hereditary and have other factors. Like my mums age and she had been on HRT for 20 years my sisters was connected to a virus so again it’s nothing genetic

My dad had bowel cancer in his 70s

Please can you share your own experience if this happened to you and stop me worrying so much.

I'm sorry you are so worried but no one can tell you how likely it is that it's cancer. If you want to google endometrial cancer you will find some stats, and risk factors, but not sure that will help or make it worse!

There are lots of reasons for bleeding and it could simply be a very late period even after 18 months.

Your dr won't examine you (IME) but will refer you within 2 weeks for a scan and hysteroscopy. That will tell you what's going on.

Try not to worry.

Thank you for the reply. I hate my overactive brain at time. 😀

I had bleeding for two weeks, totally out of the blue, several months ago. Doctor put me on the 2 week cancer pathway which really scared me. Had normal scan followed by a vaginal scan, they took a biopsy which turned out to be perfectly normal. They put it down to my Mirena Coil.
It's very hard to not worry, I google everything and always scare myself and think the worse. Fingers crossed it will all be ok xx

I am 59 and suffered through my 50's with excessive bleeding which was caused by fibroids. They're very common and not much talked about! Being a complete wimp and totally petrified of hospitals/procedures I cancelled the first appointment which was booked for an embolization and then suffered for a further 2 years before starting the process again. I had the embolization last year - it took about 40 mins in theatre and I went home the next morning. The stress and worry of waiting all that time was ridiculous - on a number of occasions I had bled through my clothes, bedding even to the point of not being able to walk to the loo! It was stupid of me to leave it that long and I really put myself through a lot of unnecessary stress and embarrassment.

So go and see your GP, whatever it is that's causing the bleeding, it's best to get it sorted sooner rather than later.

Forgot to say have been going through the menopause for about 3 years.

Thank you for your responses. Can I ask if the bleeding you had with fibroids was accompanied by pain? I don’t have any pain at all just bright red blood that is t as heavy as a period but it’s more than spotting.

OP Fibroids shrink during post menopause. A fibroid is just a lumpy bit of the womb lining. It can bleed during periods and cause heavier bleeding because it increases the total surface area of the womb. However, once periods have stopped a fibroid should not bleed because there is no estrogen getting to it any more.

This is why some women are advised to put up with small fibroids that are not causing too much bleeding because post meno they shrink.

Just wait and see what your scan shows. Even if worst case it was cancer, survival rates are really high ( prob almost 100%) if caught soon and treated with a hysterectomy.

Hello everyone I'm 56 been menopausal since was 36 to cut long story short I was bleeding in April had all the scans biopsies got thick womb lining and pr e cancerous cells because I smoked and over weight go decided to with coil for 3 / 4 months to Give me chance I stop smoking ( which I have since May ) and lose some weight I had coil fitted in 3 July and have had heavy bleeding since does any one no if this is normal

Forgot to mention will be having hysterectomy in 4/5 months time

If you are being treated for pre cancerous cells and you are worried about the bleeding, you should get back in contact with the consultant who is treating you.

The Mirena is used to treat a thick lining but if they have found pre cancerous cells, I'd assume they would have done a hysterectomy more quickly.

Were they pre-cancerous ?

I had this, post 2 yr period free. No pain

Like you I googled, said to contact Gp.
I did, explained to receptionist and got appt that afternoon.
Male gp wanted to give internal, I wasn’t happy with bleeding.

I got fast track to hospital for a small procedure (can’t remember the name) where they take biopsy (while awake)
They couldn’t see/reach far enough, so I had to go under GA (another appt)
Whilst walking to car 10 mins walk, I was in agony I thought I was going to faint. I could hardly get into the car, doubled up in pain.

Got home, hot water bottle and 2 paracetamol, fine 20 mins later.

I had it under GA it was fibroids and something else now can’t remember but not serious. Had to go back for results 2 weeks later
No cancer

If you need to have one of these, I’d definitely take 2 ibuprofen 20 mins before procedure.

I had a late period after13 months of none. My dr told me that he referred at least one post-meno woman every week, and in 8 years it had only once been positive for cancer. That reassured me a lot, hope it helps you too.

I do have or cancerous cells in having hysterectomy in Oct Nov as I stated I'm over weight and am borderline copd that is why they gave me minra implant to give me time to lose some weight and stop smoking as I was high risk for the surgery I had biopsy and internal scan and mri

That was ment to say pre cancerous cells

It must be really worrying for you @Angelmaggot but the best person to talk to is your consultant. The Mirena should help thin the lining, but I or anyone here won't know how thick the lining is and whether , before you have your op, you can expect any bleeding.

The Mirena is a treatment in itself for a thick lining but obviously you are at the next stage which is pre-cancer, hence the operation.

Your doctor ought to have advised you on whether you would still have some bleeding between now and the operation.

Call his dept/ secretary or see your GP and ask them to talk to the consultant, and tell you what's expected.

what's copd by the way?

OP, I'm really sorry I disappeared - I forgot I'd posted on here and have only just seen your question re fibroids. There was no pain at all just horrendous bleeding. I think in my case the fibroids didn't shrink because I had started HRT. Since treatment, everything's been fine, I'm still on HRT and never want to stop - it's made a huge difference, although I realise it's not for everyone.

I saw my gp yesterday. I have been on HRT for 18 months & have had 2 bleeds recently. GP is fast tracking me to Cancer thing.
Those of you who have been through that...

• how long did you wait for appointment? When gp looked on computer yesterday there were no available appointments, she said I should hear from the hospital within 2 weeks.

• when you went to hospital, did you have a scan/investigation & were you told what they could see straight away....or did you go back for a further appointment for results?

I have to go to gp for blood tests on Tuesday.

I have been googling - daft I know, I'm a bit worried. And just wondering what to expect from appointments?