Is this urgent? Should I call the GP tomorrow?

[WartOrNot]

Just went to the loo and there's dry blood in my knickers, enough to stain my trousers. Spots of fresh blood on wiping, too.

I'm 58, have been on HRT for 15y and haven't had a period in at least 12y.

How urgent is this?

You need to see the GP and get a referral for a scan. In England you'd go on the 2 week wait, in Scotland they'll see you as soon as they can so I'd get to the GP in the next day or two.

Post menopausal bleeding can a presenting feature of endometrial cancer but can also be caused by other benign things. I referred a lot of these cases but very few came back as cancer.

Yes, it may well not be serious but you should call your GP in the morning. They will take ir seriously and will probably refer you for further investigations.

Gulp!

I'll call them tomorrow. Argh - means getting up early so that I'm in the work carpark for the call, otherwise I'll be late to work.

(I'd rather stick my head in the sand, my fingers in my ears and mutter "Rhubarb, rhubarb, rhubarb" to drown it all out. But I won't.)

Double argh - of course there's no sanpro in the house.

I shall be supremely grateful if a pad of loo roll is the worst thing I have to experience.

Hi just thought I'd post to say my bleeding between periods was investigated very quickly and has been determined to be thyroid related. I'm now on thyroxine (which is a natural hormone and I get it free - no prescription charges).

So whilst it's definitely worth a speedy investigation (as if it is cancerous then prompt treatment is more effective) it may be something fairly benign.

I think 1/1000 women have thyroid problems so it's very common.

Please don't stick your head in the sand xx

@WartOrNot Please try not to worry.
There are 2 types of menopausal bleeding

1 women on hrt
2 women not on hrt.

The second is the most serious, statistically.

The figures for finding endo cancer in women on combined continuous HRT is tiny. (Those stats are available online.)

It' s far more likely to be an HRT 'blip'.
Yes, you should see your GP asap.

However, there is new guidance for GPs from the BMS on this.
It suggests that drs take women off HRT for a few weeks to see if the bleeding settles. And review at 6 weeks.

Some GPs may still try to get you seen within 2 weeks, but it depends on the availability.

Personally , I think this isn't a great idea simply because many women would struggle without HRT for 6 weeks. it's also possible to have bleeding for other reasons apart from an HRT blip.

But it's relevant that you are aware of how women on HRT are at less risk.

Women on combined, continuous HRT have less endometrial cancer than other women in the population- including women not on HRT.

That is very reassuring, thank you.

Though the idea of coming off HRT is also horrible!

They may not make you- and you can refuse :)

Definitely push for a scan.
It could be nothing or something. The quicker it's investigated, the sooner it can be treated ( if necessary).

I'm having a scan in 10 days. It just says in the Maternity Dept, don't give any advice about drinking. Presumably it will be a trans-vaginal scan, so no need for a full bladder?

I had ultrasound followed by a long pee and then trans-vaginal. It gave details on the letter re drinks.

Good luck!

I had some blood spotting 6 years post menopause.
Went to the GP,had a scan a few weeks later and was told I had a prolapsed womb.Had a hysterectomy and have had no problems since.I've never had HRT.