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Menopause

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Original poster

Post menopause bleeding? Do I need to see the gp everytime?

37 replies

KatyMac · 25/01/2022 21:31

I think this is the third time

I have my uterus but not ovaries & I'm on evoral conti

I had covid 13 weeks ago and I know it messes with periods but I don't have periods

Do I have to speak to the gp?

OP posts:
Original poster
KatyMac · 26/01/2022 08:46

Bump

OP posts:
maresedotes · 26/01/2022 08:52

I would see the doctor. You should be checked out if you are bleeding after the menopause. Best of luck.

Original poster
KatyMac · 26/01/2022 08:58

Yes I know you are right but the last 2 times it was nothing and I'm sure it's nothing again

So frustrating

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JinglingHellsBells · 26/01/2022 10:02

If you are new to conti (under 6 months) then bleeding is common and doesn't need investigation.

If it's more than 6 months it sounds as if you are not absorbing the patch correctly - too little progestin perhaps.

What happened previously when you had it? Did you have a scan?
You may need to think about changing the type of hrt to one which controls the bleeding better- maybe something with a lower dose of estrogen.

The only other thing is- are you changing your patches at the right time?

Original poster
KatyMac · 26/01/2022 10:15

I change my patches every 3 days (give or take menopause brain)

I have been on them since spring 2019 with a break when we couldn't get them and I had one of my bleeding episodes then

It's only spotting and I do wonder if it happening as a one off is perhaps seeing the gp only if it happens again withina short space of time - I have a rectocele so it's messy

My whole body is doing odd things atm post covid so I did wonder if it was that

Scan and that other thing once umm can't remember but they knocked me out for it or was that before I had my ovaries out - I'll have to check my notes

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JinglingHellsBells · 26/01/2022 10:26

I change my patches every 3 days (give or take menopause brain)

You do need to be sure you are doing it correctly. Leaving a patch on too long might cause spotting as the hormones will have run out.

Scan and that other thing once umm can't remember but they knocked me out for it or was that before I had my ovaries out - I'll have to check my notes

I have a rectocele so it's messy
I don't understand this- what's messy?

You wouldn't have a GA for a scan. That's a vaginal ultrasound and it's very straightforward.

If you reported spotting to your GP before, it would be usual to be referred for a scan. They usually work on the 2-week rule for a referral.

Did this not happen when you have spotting before?

It's unlikely to be serious, but 13 weeks since Covid is a long time and you are on HRT so it's not as if Covid has upset your own hormones.

Original poster
KatyMac · 26/01/2022 10:36

I dont think I'd be a day out, just not the exact same time each day

I had a scan and then a biopsy last time - but they decided it was scar tissue not thickening

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HollywoodTease · 27/01/2022 21:37

Did you have a hysteroscopy last time?

My advice would be go and get it checked, every time. It's an hour out of your life to have the scan. If it's nothing you have only lost an hour, if it's something then the earlier you find out the better.

I had a post-menopausal bleed at the beginning of December. My first oncology appointment is next week. Don't risk it.

Original poster
KatyMac · 28/01/2022 07:15

Just checked it was 2 yrs ago (hysteroscopy on 6th Feb 2020) and I had a polyp removed

I am not planning on it being a biannual event!

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JinglingHellsBells · 28/01/2022 08:32

@KatyMac You can have a non-invasive scan (vaginal but very quick) to check the lining. You'd only need a hysteroscopy if they saw anything odd.

@HollywoodTease Really sorry to hear of your situation. I hope you make a quick and full recovery.

Just to mention that statistically, women on HRT, especially combined/ continuous (I think that is what KM uses) rarely have anything serious - it's usually due to the HRT. However anyone who finds they keep bleeding at odd times , even on HRT, should have a scan just to be sure.

@KatyMac you could have a polyp- cervical or in your womb- or it might be poor absorption of the progesterone in the patch. See your dr!

Original poster
KatyMac · 28/01/2022 12:03

I have rung, I promise just waiting for them to ring back

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Original poster
KatyMac · 28/01/2022 15:29

Extra smear
Coincidental urine infection - antibiotics (but not the best ones as I react to them)
Confirmation that my ins is now thought to be 'mechanical failure'

& referral on a 2 week wait basis

@HollywoodTease glad they found it! Good luck with treatments

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Original poster
KatyMac · 28/01/2022 16:38

And my blood pressure has risen dramatically

Mid Oct it was 93/64 which is to the high side of my average

And today it was 133/90 which is the highest it has ever been (apart from pre/post surgery)

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Runaround50 · 30/01/2022 15:26

You'd only need a hysteroscopy if they saw anything odd.
@JinglingHellsBells well that’s scared the pants off me!

I’ve bled on and off with the oestrogen patch and utrogestan. Had my second scan in a year this week and have been scheduled for a hysteroscopy ( Second in less than a year) after a clear one in April.

Looks like my luck has run out 😥

JinglingHellsBells · 30/01/2022 15:50

@Runaround50

You'd only need a hysteroscopy if they saw anything odd. *@JinglingHellsBells* well that’s scared the pants off me!

I’ve bled on and off with the oestrogen patch and utrogestan. Had my second scan in a year this week and have been scheduled for a hysteroscopy ( Second in less than a year) after a clear one in April.

Looks like my luck has run out 😥

Sorry. don't take that too literally. It's the gold standard to double check. It seems a bit odd tbh to scan you that much when on hrt. Did you ask why they wanted to do more investigations? Did they not talk you through the scan and what they saw?
TempNameChangexx · 30/01/2022 15:52

I've been on Evorel Conti for over 3 years with no bleeding at all
I started bleeding again after my 2nd Covid jab, complete with period cramps sometimes
The bleeding is still happening but much reduced the last couple of months
I went down the 2 week referral for possible cancer and the (male) consultant told me to get the GP to refer me ever time I bleed (i.e. every 4 weeks) which seems like a mammoth waste of NHS resources OR to change to a different HRT which deliberately gives me a period (I'm 60 - no fucking way)
So I'm paying for a second opinion with a menopause specialist....

I'd be interested to see what your GP says.

Runaround50 · 30/01/2022 16:18

Well i was told nothing at my scan on Tuesday. The sonographer who just pressed the buttons, was rude and disinterested, as was his assistant. Then on Friday, I received a letter saying “ in view of your scan and episodes of bleeding, we are escalating to a hystereoscopy! It is the wonderful ( not!) ChelWest who won’t budge on changing the progesterone, unless every single scan and bloody investigation is clear, EVERY TIME.

That’s the price you pay for having had bloody breast cancer 😥

JinglingHellsBells · 30/01/2022 16:36

@Runaround50

Well i was told nothing at my scan on Tuesday. The sonographer who just pressed the buttons, was rude and disinterested, as was his assistant. Then on Friday, I received a letter saying “ in view of your scan and episodes of bleeding, we are escalating to a hystereoscopy! It is the wonderful ( not!) ChelWest who won’t budge on changing the progesterone, unless every single scan and bloody investigation is clear, EVERY TIME.

That’s the price you pay for having had bloody breast cancer 😥

I'm so sorry to hear that. I've had a lot of scans and have always been talked through the whole thing of what can be seen.I expect you know this but have you tried using Utrogestan vaginally? It is supposed to give better absorption and may give less breakthrough bleeding. Are you under one of the consultants there? Could you call and speak to their PA to get more info?
Runaround50 · 30/01/2022 17:18

Ah i shall just wait for the hysteroscopy @JinglingHellsBells. God alone knows what has been brewing since April 2021. No point continuing with the HRT, so down the black hole one must go!

Original poster
KatyMac · 31/01/2022 11:28

Ive got a scan this afternoon

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Original poster
KatyMac · 31/01/2022 16:12

Woo hoo no polyps or growths or anything!

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Original poster
KatyMac · 01/02/2022 19:02

But they have still booked me in for a hysteroscopy...Sad

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Runaround50 · 01/02/2022 19:57

Good luck Katy
I’ve got a hysteroscopy on Friday and dreading it!!

Original poster
KatyMac · 01/02/2022 20:19

I won't have it without an anaesthetic

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Runaround50 · 01/02/2022 20:41

What, a general? I’m having mine done with zero anaesthetic. I want it over and results ASAP