Post menopausal bleeding, hysteroscopy and biopsy

[sadiewoohoo]

Hi everyone
I’m 45 and until a couple of weeks ago hadn’t had a period for a year. I randomly had few days of spotting/ light bleeding so as I was classed as post menopausal was referred to hospital on the 2 week pathway.

All blood tests and swabs have come back fine but today when I attended my appointment I was unable to proceed with the hysteroscopy as I found it too painful ( I’m a massive wimp with stuff like that anyway) . My consultant suggested I come back for a general anaesthetic to have it done which I’m happy about.

All I was able to have done was my internal scan. The consultant said I would need a biopsy almost as soon as he began the scan which has really frightened me thinking he seen something terribly wrong right away.

Anyone had a similar experience? What was the outcome? So frightened. Would be very interested to hear your experiences! All answers appreciated xx

Following. I had biopsy 2 weeks ago & tv ultrasound. Have been called for urgent hysteroscopy as biopsy result 'abnormal'.
Feeling worried.

OP - I think the biopsy is a standard test if the endometrial lining is thickened, which they look at/measure on the ultrasound. I had a biopsy 5 years ago & it was fine.

Thankyou Katie. We’re you having bleeding which led you to getting the biopsy? ( hope you don’t mind me asking) Did you need to have any treatment after with regard to the thickened lining? Have you heard any more about your upcoming appointment? xx

I had the same. Thickening of the womb lining in my case which is quite common in your 40's and if you've had children. Doctor said it's standard procedure to take a biopsy so try not too worry. Glad you're getting a general for this, I did it without and passed out. Awful.

Thankyou blissful life. I did try and have it just with local anaesthetic but I didn’t even dare get that far so you are so brave! Did your results come back ok? Did you need any further checks etc? xx

I've given birth with no pain relief but that was easy compared to that procedure ouch!. Yeah all results came back fine. I have a follow up yearly for an ultrasound scan but didn't get one this year (bloody pandemic)

Hi OP, any unexplained bleeding should be investigated under the 2 week pathway and it might just be that your spotting,, if it happened just over a year after your last period, was due to your body still making a last ditch attempt.

Please don’t feel a wimp about having to have a GA for the hysteroscopy. Many hospitals offer this as the norm as they know how uncomfortable this can be for us. It can also mean that if, for example, polyps are found to be the cause of the spotting, they can be treated there and then.

Yikes blissfullife! No pain relief for giving birth!!! I feel faint just thinking about it haha. That’s great that your results came back fine. Are they just monitoring the lining each year? Thanks by the way, really helped to hear someone’s story x

Over50andfab yes hopefully my body was just having a final go! Thankyou for your kind words xx

OP - will update tomorrow. Going for appointment this evening. Yes I had a bleed for one day. I'm 59 & well past menopause.

Well good luck Katie. Sending positive thoughts your way. Let us know how you get on x

I am sure you will be ok @sadiewoohoo
At 45 you are still on the young side for menopause and it may well be that you are not actually post menopause yet. The rule is to investigate bleeding if it's been year, but it's not an exact science and at 45 it's quite possible it's still peri meno that's caused it.

I have had a biopsy, and also a hysteroscopy and biopsy, as well as regular scans. I did manage all without a GA but I know some women can't.

What I would say is that you have had an early menopause (medically that's what it's called if it's before 45 and the average age is now 51.)

This means you do have an added risk factor for osteoporosis in the future and it's important you are aware of this. You might want to chase a bone density scan in a few years time to check how you are.
Some consultants would recommend you use HRT now anyway (even without menopause symptoms like flushes ) for at least 5 years to protect your bones.

I’ve had three because of bleeding and being higher risk of cancer due to long term Tamoxifen usage. I did it as a quick outpatient procedure too. People are different and have different tolerance levels.

The thing to think about is that they are ruling out cancer not assuming it is a cancer. Most cases aren’t and as someone said, you’re very young for menopause anyway. It could be you aren’t quite through the menopause yet. That happens. I hadn’t had a period for four years due to chemo and Tamoxifen but when tested to try and change drugs, it turned out hormonally, I was still not through.

Hope all goes well.

Thankyou for that advice Jinglinghellsbells. Did you have your tests for similar reasons to mine if you don’t mind me asking? Were they all clear? xx

Thankyou lemonroses. So hoping mine turns out to be hormonal too x

Hi @sadiewoohoo I had some bleeding after my periods had stopped (I was almost 53 when they stopped.) It was thought it was an HRT 'hiccup' but my dr wanted to check it out. I had a biopsy during a 'routine' appointment (consultant.) That was fine. A while later- can't recall how long- I had another bit of spotting so he wanted to do a hysteroscopy and another biopsy. Both showed nothing untoward.

If you are a year post meno and not using any estrogen (vaginally for dryness etc) then your cervix may be very tight/ closed and this could make the biopsy harder to perform.

Thankyou. Really hoping I get similar news. I’ve been told I have a slightly tilted cervix which could be making it more painful xx

@sadiewoohoo Hysteroscopy was fine. First biopsy showed changes but not cancer. Dr has repeated biopsy to be sure. She thinks hysterectomy very likely due to fibroids & previous history of bleeds.
Good luck with yours. Let us know what happens.

That’s great news! Pleased you can relax a little now xx