Please calm me down

[AvonCallingBarksdale]

Last August I had blood tests done which confirmed I’d been through the menopause. Out of the blue a few weeks ago I had a bleed, exactly like a normal period, apart from not having had one for over a year. The GP referred me for a scan, which I had today. The thickness of the womb measurement is supposed to be 4mm or less and mine was 4.8mm. So GP phoned me this evening saying she’s referred me on the 2-week pathway for more tests. Google hasn’t been my friend and I’m now really worried and scared. Can anyone reassure me - anyone had the same thing??

I thought the cut off point was 5mm not 4? It certainly used to be.

It sounds like panic on their part to be honest.

Even if it IS 4mm now, 0.8mm is nothing. If the lining was 10mm or 20mm that would be a different issue!

How old are you? The 12 months rule (bleeding after 12 months) doesn't always apply to younger women and the blood test is unreliable.

I’m 47. I’ve researched and I keep seeing below 5mm is fine. I’m terrified about any procedures under GA so getting into a complete state about all of it. Thanks for your reply.

@AvonCallingBarksdale You'd be classed as having a relatively early menopause (average age is 51) and yours was 46. So it's possible for women your age to resume some ovarian activity and have more periods.

By the way, early menopause is under 45. So you are on the cusp of that. If you don't have any more periods it would be sensible in the future to consider a DEXA bone density scan (in about 3-5 years from now) as stopping periods at 45/ 46 does increase your risk of osteoporosis.

If you need investigations for the bleeding, a lot of drs will do it with no GA or a local anaesthetic. I had it done that way and it was fine.

@JinglingHellsBells thank you so much for your wise words. Good point re bone density. I hope you had a good outcome

@AvonCallingBarksdale.... I recently (ie in the last 7 days) had a couple of scans (1 NHS, 1 private) that identified a >10mm lining. I panicked and decided to go private for a laparoscopy and hysteroscopy that I had on Wednesday this week. All seems normal based on the camera views although we will get firmer assurance when the biopsy results are back. I was massively relieved by this as I'd virtually planned my own funeral!

Please don't panic. There are various explanations for it, most of which are hormone linked - something like this can happen post menopause...www.healthline.com/health/endometrial-hyperplasia

The specialists see middle aged people with odd menstrual type flows all the time. It's very very rarely anything nasty.

PS It was done under general but the anaesthetist was really dishy so that made it ok!!!