Urgent advice needed re post meno bleeding

[Miathecat]

I need some advice on what to do next. I haven’t had periods for 3 years and been on hrt for a year. Three years ago I had a one off bleed, I was referred for an ultrasound and a biopsy was taken, all was clear and it was put down to temporary return of ovarian function. Fast forward to now and I had another bleed two years since the last one went to doc same day and got referred again, have been referred under 2 wk cancer pathway but the current wait time is 20 weeks! I’ve been waiting 8 weeks so far and in that time I’ve had two incidents of spotting for 3-4 days and another full on bleed which is currently on day 6. Have phoned the doc again who called the consultant and they said there’s nothing they can do I just have to wait and they’re not worried because it’s happened before and I’m on hrt. What do I do now I can’t wait another 3 months this doesn’t feel right.

Go private or wait your turn. That's the choice, unfortunately.

My local private hospital has a whole department of friendly (sales) people who can tell people who they need to see and the costs of any likely tests. In the past the consultant could refer you back into the NHS if they found anything, but I'd double check that now. Sometimes GPs can request tests directly, but now that so many more people are going private, my local private is making people see a consultant first.

That’s it, unfortunately. I’m so sorry you’re faced with this @Miathecat . 💐

A lot of this depends on how old you are, what type of hrt you use, and more.

Your GP should be assessing your HRT not simply sending you for a scan.

Many GPs are putting women on combined continuous HRT (both hormones daily) and don't appreciate that if it's too soon , bleeding like yours happens.

The criteria for combined HRT is age over 54 or no natural period for 12 months. So if you had a one-off bleed before and they said it was resumed ovarian function, the 12 months (before using combined continuous) would start again then.

There are two things you can do- talk to your GP about your HRT, pay to see a private menopause gynaecologist and have another more expert opinion (about £250) and they may arrange for a scan (usually about £250 if done by a consultant.) Please don't pay for a sonographer to do a scan as they are simply not qualified enough to look into it in detail.

I've had numerous scans by a consultant, and a consultant gynae oncologist, and there is a huge difference between that and 'high street' scans.

I forgot to add that you can of course be referred to any other hospital, anywhere, if they have a shorter waiting list. You don't have to stay within your Trust. Your GP can search and find availability somewhere else.

Hi @JinglingSpringbells i was really hoping you would be around, I’m 51 and only had one bleed in Nov 21 after 12 months of nothing so when I was put on continuous utrogestan last year I had been no bleed for 12 months. I have Westfield health through work and can be referred to a private hospital so waiting on them calling me back and have a phone appt with my doc tomorrow so I can ask for private referral. I’m in Scotland but didn’t know you can access other regions as think it’s just mine which is horrendous I’m just really scared with all the bleeding