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[JodiLou]

Hello ladies ~ I'm new here. I'm 50 and just went 12 months without a period. So I wasn't too worried a couple of weeks ago when I had a vaginal bleed after a bowel movement 😬. It happened a second time tho, so I went to the GP. He said no post meno bleeding is good so before the end of the week I was booked in for endometrial biopsy and ultrasound. All a bit scary. Then the specialist couldn't get the biopsy (tho he certainly tried 😢) as my cervix was completely closed?! Just "my age" I think he said; I was shaking too much by then to really take much in. So I've got to go in for it doing under general anaesthetic next week. In the meantime tho, I've had an ultrasound (external and internal) and the guy who did it didn't seem too worried? At least if there was anything wrong there; he wasn't telling me! Said womb lining was 3mm which I gathered was a good rather than a bad thing. So I go back to specialist this Fri and am then going for the procedure under anaesthetic thing the following Monday. It's all seemed so fast and scary and I've no real idea what's going on. I've got backache and pain behind my tummy button too. So here I am ~ hoping to receive any help or reassurance you are able to offer. Thank you very much 😊

[CLKD]

   sounds about 'normal' from where I'm lounging.  You are being seen to rule out any potential problems.  3mm I think is OK, I 'm sure ladies who have undergone this procedure will be along.

As oestrogen levels drop muscles may become lax = aches and pains  .  As oestrogen levels drop, the body dries out; inside and out - skin, nostrils, deep in the ears, eyes, vagina  : oh! the joys [not].

Browse round.  Make notes.  Do take a list of any worries to your appt/s..  'starved from mid-night' on Sunday then?

[Woodlands]

Hi there.
I had what they said was post Meno bleeding after having my previous mirena coil out- i now have another in situ.
But I had the ultrasound and the uterine biopsy....Ouch in outpatients .....All absolutely fine.
Hope this helps.
Woodlands x

[JodiLou]

Hi - thank you for the reply I'm really hoping that when I go next Fri he will say I don't need the op under anaesthetic after all - becos the ultrasound was good. But I may be kidding myself about that; and perhaps there were things on the scan he was keeping quiet about 🤔. I'd been congratulating myself at getting thru the 12 month thing; and suddenly this stuff. But yes I've noticed all the things you mention (and more!) - very dry and sore down below etc. I have been told by Breast Surgeon that I can't go on HRT due to many episodes of breast cysts and 1 of breast tissue hyperplasia over the years. I've worried loads about those for a very long time, but this latest episode is new, confusing and frightening to me. I'm anxious about my health at the best of times - so it's all a bit grim. Thank u again for taking the time to help 🙂

[CLKD]

When did you last speak with your Breast Surgeon?  Life has moved on and we have to consider quality of Life!  HRT can be delivered in many ways and as you state you are dry, then get treatment for vaginal atrophy! which is different to other forms of HRT.  There are two products specifically for vaginal dryness: Ovestin and Vagifem as well as maybe the necessity to use other lubrications on the outer lips.  We have several threads on the problem  ......

Where the cysts removed and sent for histology and if so, what was required after each surgery?  The thought that HRT is 'risky' has been put to one side in recent years due to flawed results 

[JodiLou]

Thank you. I will ask about all of this at my next appointment. I can see I have a lot to learn! The most worrying cyst was 2004 when they said on a 1-5 scale (5 being malignant); mine was a 4. I had a mammatone biopsy and they finally gave the all clear. But I would certainly be interested in the newer forms of HRT in different forms etc 🙂

[Elizabethrose]

Hi JodiLou   

I had a very similar experience to you about a year ago so please don't worry about having the hysteroscopy with the GA, it was very much easier. Like you they couldn't get through my cervix, not a pleasant experience without anaesthetic. My cervix had been damaged in labour and was heavily scarred.

It is always important to get a post meno bleed checked out but don't assume it will be bad news. Most women experience post meno hormone surges often for 1-3 years after the final menstrual bleed. Sometimes a rogue follicle is stimulated and ovulation occurs but sometimes oestrogen levels can reach highs which will allow the endometrial lining to build and this can result in an anovulatory bleed. I've only had anovulatory bleeds in the past 15 months, all caused by massive oestrogen surges.


Hopefully all will be well and you'll be relieved that all has been checked out thoroughly.

All good wishes to you x

[JodiLou]

Thank you ElizabethRose, that does sound similar and hopeful. My last smear was only 12 months ago and was fine; so I hoped that meant that the closed cervix thing wasn't a bad sign. I've never given birth naturally tho - only by c section. Yes the attempt biopsy was pretty awful. As he was trying to do it I was thinking "are you kidding me?!!". Then it failed anyway and I wanted to cry 😪. Thank u all for the lovely replies; it's very nice to be able to come here and I'm glad I found you 💕

[CLKD]

AAAhh.  So the cysts were sent for histology?  Did you require any other treatment?

[Hurdity]

Hi Jodilou

 

The thing about menopause being dated for 12 months following the last menstrual period - is so that any bleeding after that is followed up. it is set at this conservative date because the majority (not sure of the proportion) of women will not ovulate again once 12 months have passed. But - there will always be a few. Far better to investigate a few women unnecessarily than to miss a case of potential cancer.

Sorry to hear about the cervix issue. However as you say if your womb lining was 3 mm then it is highly unlikely that the bleed is caused by something amiss - it is usually when the womb lining grows too thick and remains like this for some time, that changes can take place, which can sometimes lead to cancer. I don't think my lining has been that small size for years!

When I had some spotting (after sex) I was referred and when I had the (transvaginal) ultrasound - they could see an irregularity - so I was also sent for hysteroscopy/biopsy - which turned out to be a small fibroid. The fact that they couldn't see anything in your case is a good sign - although obvs this has to be confirmed. (I always ask when I have scans - what the thickness is and if they can see anything!).

Btw did you notice any of the usual pms symptoms before the bleed? As your lining is so thin it is unlikely to be an anovulatory bleed I wouldn't have thought, so you might have noticed tender breasts or some pms feelings?

Anyway good luck with the procedure and try not to worry 

Hurdity x

[JodiLou]

Hi CLKD and Hurdity - no I didn't require any further breast lump treatment.  I was on a tight, 3 monthly check-up routine for a year, but then just reverted to an 'open appointment' at Breast Clinic in the event that I had any more lumps. Which over the years I did have; and many of them. But fortunately they were all aspirated, evaluated or biopsied, and all turned out to be cysts.

Which funnily enough Hurdity happened again very recently, and ties in with what you asked me; i.e for the first time in ages, over Xmas, I had painful, uncomfortable breasts. As a result (as I was adjusting them trying to get comfy in bed!) I found another small lump. It scared me more than ever, as I thought it was less likely to be 'hormonal', having 'gone thru' the menopause. But thank goodness, it was mammogrammed and ultra sounded and given the all clear. The nurse who was present at the ultrasound the other day for the 'downstairs' bit, had only seen me a couple of weeks earlier for the breast bit! She must think I'm a total nightmare 

In retrospect tho, I do think I had PMS type symptoms, with the uncomfy breasts etc.  And I was very irritable too as my husband could testify to! So what you say about that makes sense to me now. It wasn't like a period tho - just a show of very red blood after a bit of straining (sorry!TMI!) on the loo.  I've always been constipated due to previous endometriosis and adhesions between my uterus and bowel. Oh dear, listen to me; I really AM a total nightmare aren't I ?!!!

Thank you for listening ladies, and for your support.  I have three more days to get thru at work, then I go to the specialist again on Friday.  I will update you afterwards with what he has to say. X

[CLKD]

Nothing is TMI! nor taboo ;-).

I had dreadful PMS and was advised by NAPS to eat every 3 hours.  This can ease any anxiety surges = nausea etc..  That is, every 3 hours 24/7, 12/52!  Spreading out the diet throughout 24 hours rather than eating any more, with good carbohydrate slow release foods.  I find Dextrose tablets useful in a hurry i.e. when walking, packets of dried, mixed fruits/nuts, bananas as well as energy bars.  I have biscuits by the bed in case I wake in the night feeling 'off'.

I have had slow transit for years  which makes me feel really ill sometimes.  I found that Motiliium and Actimel helps keep the bowel movements more regular and stops the bloating.

[JodiLou]

That's great advice thank you - and I will take it. Except the nuts bit.  Because, guess what, since peri menopause Ive developed a nut allergy/intolerance too........ Like I say; nightmare!!   

[CLKD]

That's part of the joy of menopause  .... digestive problems, reflux, vaginal atrophy   

I started eating a thick muesli mix: Lizis : which keeps me going better than toast.  Himself eats porridge    ...... which means that he doesn't need to snack mid-morning.  He eats dates, apples, figs ....... I know that I don't get enough fruits/veg. but hey ho!

[JodiLou]

Hi ladies Im back 

I got my pre op assessment stuff today and it worried me a bit.  I knew I was having a womb biopsy under general anaesthetic due to cervical stenosis.  But specialist assured me stenosis wasn't a worrying sign in itself.

But the info I have for me procedure says that I'm also having a colposcopy. I've googled it of course, and find its what you have if you've had a suspicious smear. I don't remember him saying he was doing one of these; but I was in a bit of a state after the failed biopsy attempt.  Do you think its anything I should be worried about please? I had a normal smear result a year ago.

Thanks very much xxx