GP or no? Spotting probably post meno but can't figure out when last period was!

[Sadik]

As the title says - I'm 51, & had a very little bit of bleeding (not enough to need a pad) about a month ago, then the same again a day or so ago. I dithered about it last month - really stupidly I kept a note of the dates of my periods going into peri-menopause but not the year. So basically my last bleed was either May 2019 OR May 2020 (FFS!), & I've racked my brains to try to tie it to a date but no luck.

Trying to decide whether I should speak to GP or not - my DM and her nan (my GGM) both had cancer of the uterus which is, obviously, affecting my thoughts - but equally, two little bits of spotting, a month apart..... I do realise I'm really crap not to know when meno hit - or didn't but I've had no real symptoms (beyond the urge to buy an expensive wool duvet and the ability to blame my innate grumpiness on my age ) & life has, of course, been a bit hectic this last year

With the absence of any other symptoms I’d just make a note and wait. Some women are like this for a long time.

Speak to your GP. Bleeding over a year post menopause (which yours either definitely is or nearly is) should be investigated. Usually just with a simple ultrasound scan, if I were your GP I’d happily organise that regardless of uncertainty over dates.

Given the family history you need to see your GP and have an ultrasound scan. In fact, being super careful, it would be wise to have a scan annually - you can pay for these privately if your GP won't sort them.

If it is more than a year since your last period you most definitely do need a scan, if it's only 11 months, then no.

But as you can't remember, ( one year or two?) err on the side of caution.

Thank you all - I'll ring the GP on Monday. I think you're right given family history (though optimistically, both DM & GGM having had two unrelated primary cancers - uterus & bowel in both cases - I have at least had genetic testing & established I don't have the super-dodgy gene mutation)

Hi @Sadik

Hi did you manage to speak to GP. I have had similar spotting after a gap recently.

I did, and after a phone appointment got referred for an ultrasound. They rang me literally the day after to offer me a cancellation spot, but it was the same time as my covid vaccination appointment! So I'm going on Tuesday which was the next cancellation. She also referred me for blood tests including one which I believe is for ovarian cancer (I think??)

I'm really glad I called, the spotting then turned into proper bleeding exactly like a period. I've gained about 1/2 a stone lately & have been wondering whether part of my lack of periods may have been due to being underweight (lot of stressful life events) rather than full on menopause but I'm really, really glad to have it checked out.

Definitely phone, I feel like it was really the right thing to do - for context my DM had a scan in similar circs, they found cancer in her uterus, she had a hysterectomy & was totally well and healthy for 20 years afterwards :) :)

Thanks for replying @Sadik - hope everything goes well with your scan.
I've got a routine blood test in a few days that I have to have every now and again so will ask about making an appointment while I'm there.

How did your scan go @Sadik ?

All done, but need to wait a week now for the report to come to the GP. We'll see!

Glad you got it done :-)