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[DownDillie]

Hi all,

I haven't posted on this forum for ages. I posted a few years ago when i was feeling extremely low. My menopausal symptoms were depression, anxiety and a whole raft of mental stuff rather than physical. I started HRT in May 2016. Took a while for it all to work but in the past 2.5 years I've been feeling pretty good overall.

HRT is 1mg Sandrena gel and 100mg Utrogestan taken orally 25/28 days (though I mostly take it continuously without the 3 day break). Up until about 6 weeks ago I wasn't using a full 1mg of Sandrena, more like half/three quarters a night. Then I upped it to the full sachet. I did this because I was having some horrible acne-style breakouts, unheard of for me ever. I haven't had a period since 2012 and no bleeding at all with or without HRT. I am 55.

Yesterday I noticed I had some vaginal bleeding - very slight, dark brown. I immediately went into panic mode, though I had to keep a lid on it as I was in the midst of a work project, away from home. I phoned my GP practice and a doctor phoned me yesterday late afternoon and she has arranged an appointment for me on Tuesday. Today there is more bleeding, again very slight and mostly being forced out when I empty my bowels.

I don't know what to think. Last night I told myself that I was fine, it is due to the increase in Sandrena. Today I am back in panic mode thinking I have womb or ovarian cancer. I've been googling of course and I don't see that I have symptoms of ovarian cancer other than mild irritable bowel which I've had pretty much forever. I do though have low-level pain in my right abdomen, that's been around for a long time.

I realise that no-one can possibly diagnose anything for me on here  but I wondered what your immediate thoughts are. The doctor has already said I will be referred. I have no-one I can share this with right now, I don't want to worry people when it may be nothing. But I am worried 

[CLKD]

Is the blood from the vagina? or are you constipated?  A small tear may show fresh red blood.  Any left behind may be brown either from the vagina or bowel.

Is it when you wipe?  Not pouring?  Relax if possible.  Concentrate on the project to hand.  Maybe put the product name into the search box to see if others make comment?  It's unlikely to be anything serious ;-).

[DownDillie]

Is the blood from the vagina? or are you constipated?  A small tear may show fresh red blood.  Any left behind may be brown either from the vagina or bowel.

Is it when you wipe?  Not pouring?  Relax if possible.  Concentrate on the project to hand.  Maybe put the product name into the search box to see if others make comment?  It's unlikely to be anything serious ;-).

Thanks for the reply CLKD. I am not constipated. It is definitely vaginal blood and not fresh. At the moment, it is only when I wipe although there was a small amount on my panty liner yesterday.

I am alternating between not worrying and being terrified 

[CLKD]

Sounds about normal when something is out of kilter  but it maybe a slight tear inside, it may be a polyp ...... it could be serious but what's the worst that could happen?

Womb and ovarian cancer rarely presents with old blood ;-).  Put the product name into the search box.  Make notes ;-)

[Dotty]

Hi it's likely to be the increase in oestrogen, but it's best to get it checked x

[DownDillie]

Hi it's likely to be the increase in oestrogen, but it's best to get it checked x

Thanks Dotty, hopefully I will know a bit more on Tuesday, just need to keep a lid on my worries.

[DownDillie]

Thanks for the reply, Birdy.

I'm sure you're right but I've spent a lot of today deciding I do have symptoms of ovarian cancer after all. I know a bit of HA is par for the course as a menopausal woman but I'm tearing down the road of catastrophising as I am wont to do. I'm mostly trying not to think about it.

[CLKD]

How likely R symptoms to be ovarian cancer?  If you really are worried, contact 'ovacom' charity for advice.  More likely to be anxiety.  Let us know how you get on !

[Cassie]

Its very likely to be from the increase in the oestrogen, its very normal and has happened to me before, ones body is extremely sensitive to the fluctuating levels and can throw out a bleed with any slight change.

[Blue Kingfisher]

Hi DownDillie,

I'm having what sounds to be exactly the same at the moment. Its brownish blood, not very much but always there on wiping & yes, need a panty liner as a minimum & may get through a few a day. I think you should definitely get checked out if you are worried though.

I'm personally not worried about it for myself as I know I have made changes in my HRT application & this had thrown things out. It's happened to me on a few occasions when I make HRT changes but soon disappears when I get back into an even rhythm. Hopefully, fingers crossed, it will be the same for you. 

xx

[DownDillie]

If the blood corresponds with an increase in oestrogen there is your answer. There is nothing unusual about it really. When I began HRT I hadn't had a period for six years. I started losing black sludgy blood! The meno nurse saw it and said she'd never seen anything like it! I am fine. You are also fine. I have no doubt.  X

Thanks Birdy and everyone. You have helped to allay my fears a bit. The blood loss is still very slight, really only when wiping, though it has turned a bit redder today. I am now a bit concerned about the pain in my right side which I've had on-and-off for ages but never took much notice of before now. Always assumed it was to do with my dodgy bowels (they've never been quite right  ).  Will definitely get myself checked out.

I'll let you know how I get on with the GP tomorrow evening.

Thanks again. x

[CLKD]

I've had that unusual over the hip bone pain .......... usually wind 

[DownDillie]

Hi all - Saw the doctor today. She was very nice, I've not seen her before. She was curious about the HRT meds I'm taking, said it was not a familiar combo. (This doesn't surprise me - I had to write them down for the GP that prescribed them.)

She wasn't overly concerned about the bleeding, said it's almost certainly down to the increase in oestrogen. Asked lots of questions and examined me. Said she can't feel / see anything abnormal. But she's referred me on for an ultrasound and some blood tests.

She is also not concerned about the chronic pain in my side but the ultrasound will cover that as well. It's not an urgent scan so I don't know how long it will be but I've stopped panicking about it all now. I must stop putting 2 and 2 together and getting cancer.

I did get the impression that she's not madly keen on HRT. Asked me what thought I'd given to coming off it (answer = none, no intention of doing so!). She said they would stop prescribing at a certain point, I think when I'm 61. Said that the risk of cancer / stroke / something else I can't remember increases with the number of years of use. We'll see how it goes, if necessary I will go private but 61 is a fair bit away yet .

Thanks again to everyone for your help and reassurance. I know I always hit the panic button waaaaay too early.

[DownDillie]

Glad you are feeling less anxious, but sorry your doctor is completely in the dark about HRT.
This week, I have commiserated at least five women on here for having an ignorant doctor.

Thanks Birdy, I was feeling better but a bit more anxious again now. The doctor phoned today. She has spoken with the gynae (not sure where exactly) and they said I should have an urgent referral not a routine one. So it will happen in the next 2 weeks, probably in the next week. Probably will have a hysteroscopy as well.

[CLKD]

So things are moving on!  Make a list of queries to take with you