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[Popmummy]

Hello
I’m after some reassurance. I know that no one can tell me what’s causing it and that I need to see doc, but I am on holiday in Majorca and just freaking out.

I am 55 and use 2 pumps of gel and have been since Spring 2022 when I hadn’t had a period for a few months. I take Utrogestan along with it. However after reading about risks I ended up trying Utrogestan less frequently as I read 3 monthly can be ok, so decided to take it vaginally 200mg every 3 months. I know I have been stupid for not taking it as prescribed and I did mention it to my doc (she seemed ok) in passing.


Yesterday my hubby and I had sex. This is the first time for many weeks and as soon as we finished I saw I was bleeding. At first I thought maybe it was just the entrance but after checking it out it was definitely coming from higher up (I think from cervix). Today I have been checking again and found blood still. I have had no bleeding whatsoever before this (sex is pretty sporadic).

I had a normal smear in Summer 2021.

I feel that I have brought on possible uterine cancer for being so silly and not taking my Utrogestan properly. We aren’t due back until next week and I can see this ruining our holiday. I have health anxiety so that’s not helping. I have obviously googled and know that bleeding after menopause or sex can be from a number of causes, but all I can think is that it’ll be cancer because I didn’t following prescription.

If anyone can help calm me until I see my doctor I would so appreciate it.
Sarah X

[bombsh3ll]

Stop. Freaking. Out. and enjoy your holiday!!!!

Any kind of cancer that presents with vaginal bleeding ie cervical or endometrial, develops over many years.

Statistically this is very unlikely to be anything sinister.

A normal smear 3 years ago virtually excludes cervical.

And endometrial typically presents with chronic irregular bleeding not postcoital bleeding.

It is most likely either vaginal atrophy or simply that you've built up a bit of a lining from taking less frequent progesterone, and now need to shed it.

Just restart the continuous progesterone as of now, and make an appointment with your GP when you get home.

They should send you for a reassurance scan but there's a clear reason for this and nothing to suggest anything to worry about.

[CLKD]

I agree with bombsh3II

I had a polyp which would bleed on contact, it went in peri menopause.

When the hormone levels drop the vaginal walls may become thin = bleeding.  Stop POKING!  Enjoy your break.  Get plenty of lubrication up there B4 being intimate which will ease any potential problems.

We have a holiday thread here ;-)

[Popmummy]

Thank you Bomb for replying so quickly. You’ve made me cry with your kind and rational words. I was just hoping that it was a bit of an issue because we’d not had sex in a while and it was ‘a quicky’ because our 15 year old daughter was in the other room!!!!
However because it’s carried on a little bit today it’s not helped and I’ve also now started to link my low back pain,which I’ve had on and off for ages, and after reading about advanced ec my mind has gone into the worst case scenarios.
Thanks again though. I will keep reading your reply until I can get home and see my doc.
Sarah x

[Popmummy]

Thank you too CLKD. Just for taking the time to offer some rational words to me xxx

[CLKD]

Worry isn't rational ...... logic flies out the window!

Where R U staying ? ;-). not that I'm nosey or anything 

[Popmummy]

We are in Puerto Pollensa. Our first holiday abroad since 2018 when we were last here. Trying hard to act normal but feeling every twinge etc blah

[VioletAquarius]

It could be that the friction has caused you to bleed, as at our age we are thinner inside now, and as it was a 'quicky' you may not have been lubricated enough (and as we get older we have less lubrication anyway).

According to the nhs, most of the time bleeding after sex is not serious.

Try not to worry and enjoy your holiday x

[CLKD]

Enjoy your time away 

[Popmummy]

Thank you again for your help. I am still very anxious. Had faint spotting this morning and not seen anything aince but every time I go the loo I panic that I will see more blood. Part of me can believe that maybe if I don’t have anymore bleeding it was caused by sec and delicate tissue, but if I bleed again I won’t be able to rely on that excuse. Although Bomb did mention that because I’ve not been taking my Utrogestan, it could be the cause.

[Penguin]

When did you last take the utrogestan? The sudden drop is what causes the bleed on cyclical hrt. My bleed used to come 2-3 days after stopping each month.

[Popmummy]

It was around two and a half months. As I said in my post, I stupidly decided to try the 3 monthly cycle of Utrogestan!

[CLKD]

It's a hormonal blip so enjoy your holiday.  Get lots of lub up there ;-)

[Popmummy]

Hello

I got back from holiday yesterday and called the doctor. They have made an appointment to see me on Tuesday.
I’ve had no bleeding since but am still very very anxious. I read that postcoital bleeding after menopause can be a sign of ovarian c which has always been a big fear of mine although no reason for it. I saw a consultant 2 years ago because I was having pain and told him about my fear of oc. He gave me a pelvic exam and said 99.9 that there was nothing wrong with my ovaries and that they felt normal. At the time I wanted a scan but he said no need and I realized I needed to trust him and the pains went. Now I’m thinking I should have had a scan and what if I missed it.
I know that they will be more interested in my cervix and uterus lining, but I’m still focused on what I read about bleeding and ovarian.
I’m now making links since the bleed. I’ve had lower backache on and off for months and sometimes have acid reflux.
I can’t seem to rationalize things and have convinced myself all sorts.
Sorry to go on. I tried really hard for it not to ruin my holiday but it certainly meant I couldn’t fully enjoy it.

[Hurdity]

Hi Popmummy

If you hadn't taken utrogestan for two and a half months then your womb lining would have thickened, waiting for the next dose of progesterone to consolidate it and then shed it when you stopped the prog.

During orgasm I understand oxytocin is produced and I think this may have an effect of uterine muscles even when not pregnant and in labour (I know it does during labour but potentially also generally?). If that was the case then this could have kick-started the bleeding because really the lining may have been a bit too thick. That would be my take on it. You won't know without a scan but I presume you have now started the Utrogestan, which would be a good idea?

I once had spotting after sex when I was on holiday and when I was on long cycle HRT and apart from a thickened lining ( expected when on cyclical HRT)- they found no abnormalities, except for a cervical ectropion which could have been the cause. Equally it could have been as I was musing above - though this is just my own theory beased on my understanding of the biology....

All the best and keep us posted

Hurdity x