Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Alli8]

Hi Ladies,

I'm trying not to panic... I'm trying not to Google...

I was diagnosed with menopause back in July 2022 after a long to and fro with my doctor's surgery who first diagnosed depression. I was 51 at the time and on Cerelle (mini-pill) so I had no idea about periods as I hadn't had one since 2016! It probably didn't help that I never managed to see the same doctor twice. It took a few blood tests for them to finally say I was post-menopausal and prescribe HRT.

Basically, everything 'downstairs' has been fine until about 6 weeks ago when I started spotting brown discharge and getting those familiar period-pains again. I left it a couple of weeks to see if it would sort itself out but it just got worse and I contacted the doctor. They asked me to pick up a couple of swabs and gave me an appointment for the 19th March to discuss results (this was on the 20th of Feb!). I've since found out the swabs were to test for Chlamidya and Gonorrhea. If they'd just asked I could have told them there was zero chance of either of those!

In the meantime, I did what everyone tells you not to and started Googling (yes, you can roll your eyes). The NHS site states that any post-menopausal bleeding should be considered abnormal and needs checking on a 2 week referral. I went back to my doctor (we have to do EVERYTHING on a e-consult form) and wrote this, saying I wasn't happy I was having to wait. Lo and behold, I got a phone call and an appointment the next day. There was no examination, just a detailed history taking and he referred me straight away. He asked me to stop HRT for the time being, which I did.

I now have an appointment on the 17th March at the hospital - I don't like that the clinic is 'Urgent Suspected Cancer - Gynae' - you'd think they would give it a less than terrifying name.

What should I expect from this appointment? I really don't want to start Googling as I'm already fretting so thought it best to get some actual advice!

Thanks ladies.

[CLKD]

U really would think that they would discharge that notification for what is the recommended 2-week fast pathway to a scan etc.!

It's usual practice to check the womb lining if there is unexplained/unexpected bleeding.

It may also be the start of vagina atrophy- do read the threads on the Forum: there are several  .  4warned is 4armed.

And do stop GOOGLING - go through NHS sites not any others ;-)

[Dotty]

Hi which HRT are you using ?  Are you still using the mini pill?

There's no need to stop the HRT whilst you wait for an appointment.

[Northerngirl]

Hi Alli8, please try not to worry (easier said than done  I know....I've been where you are).
I was referred under the 2 week urgent referral. My first step was abdominal ultrasound and tvs(Internal ultrasound)
When my lining was found to  be thick at 8mm I was then sent for a pipelle biopsy but they were unable to do this due to my cervix being closed.(something like that)
I was then referred for hysteroscopy and biopsy.....which I chose to do under a general anaesthetic (as advised by the ladies on here and due to the fact I'd had a hysterscopy several years earlier and found it extremely painful....some of us ladies find it painful and some don't)....it is entirely your choice and please remember it is a choice and you can ask to have a GA if you want....this probably will mean you have to wait a while longer until an anaesthetist is available.
I too stopped all HRT....again this was my personal choice but I've never used it  since.
After all the waiting I was eventually given the all clear and nothing to worry about.

There are plenty of lovely ladies on MM have been through this and have lots of knowledgeable advice and are always here.
Good luck with everything and let us know how your appointment goes on the 17th🤗

[bombsh3ll]

Your doctor clearly needs some up to date education on menopause!

And please don't worry, what you are describing with the period like cramps sounds very hormonal and not at all sinister.

It does need a scan, just to be on the safe side, and a sample of the uterine lining if there is any thickening, but is almost never cancer when someone is on HRT.

And you absolutely don't need to stop your treatment in the meantime.

Just to warn you if you have abruptly stopped HRT, this is likely to precipitate withdrawal bleeding. This is not a cause for concern, it is to be expected.

The fact is that bleeding is common on hormone therapy, but the medical system is not smart enough to distinguish between bleeding on HRT and true postmenopausal bleeding in someone not on hormone therapy, hence the inappropriate use of "urgent suspected cancer" referrals for women with a benign history and no risk factors.

[KittyKats]

bombsh3ll can I ask does reducing oestrogen cause bleeding? I had dropped from 2.75 pumps of oestrogel to 2 pumps when I had my mega bleed!

[Dotty]

Any change in Hrt can cause bleeding.

[bombsh3ll]

It could do - when we have menstrual cycles, bleeding starts when estrogen drops.

Also when women take birth control pills, if they take the dummy pills or have a 7 day break, they bleed.

So yes lowering your dose could have triggered this, but I still think getting a scan for peace of mind is a good idea. I just don't think you need to worry about cancer.

Also what about your progestogen, what are you using and has there been any inconsistency in taking this?

[Alli8]

Thank you ladies for your advice. I see a few have commented that you don't need to stop HRT but I have as that's what my doctor asked me to do. He said the clinic will let me know if it's ok to re-start. I suppose it will be worth waiting to see if flushes etc come back?

The bleeding has slowed and is much lighter in colour. Whether that is due to coming off the HRT or that after 6 weeks there's nothing left to come out, I do not know.

In reply to questions regarding type of HRT... I am on Evorel 50 patch with 100mg Utrogestan daily. I stopped Cerelle not long after starting HRT.

I'm glad to hear reassurance and I'll update after my appointment on Monday.

[bombsh3ll]

Good luck for your scan and do let us know how you get on!

[sheila99]

Perhaps the mistake is that they think you're menopausal. You may be but at your age there's a fair chance you aren't. In which case everything is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about.

[caz24]

Hi Alli8
Just to say please don’t worry. The ‘suspected cancer’ wording is not ideal but it’s what they have to do to get you seen, otherwise you would be waiting for months on end.
I’ve been through this process recently, had an ultrasound and an internal ultrasound initially which showed thickening of the lining. A biopsy was taken at a separate appointment and I was then booked in for a Hysteroscopy which I requested was done under a GA. During the Hysteroscopy two polyps were removed. All painless and straightforward. I wasn’t advised to stop my hrt whilst investigations were happening but it seems that some doctors advise it but others not!
Almost all of the time there is no sinister reason for the bleeding. Good luck with your scan and let us know how you get on 💕

[Smileysteph53]

Hi Ladies

I’m 5 years since last period. Had no issues until now. Not on HRT. A couple of weeks ago my boobs became so painful and I was so sad and emotional . Then I had a a lot of clear watery mucus and the following day I had a bleed . I went to drs who examined my cervix which appeared fine but has got me on the fast track for a gynaecologist. Since I saw the dr my flow has been daily but only when I have a wee and sometimes it is light but today it’s been more watery blood. Like many of us just worried sick and I do suffer with anxiety too so this has set me off . Would it be hormones that would cause this after all these years. I have been suffering extreme emotional stress for the 12 months and wondered if this can still affect our hormones after the menopause . Anyone else had this ?

[bombsh3ll]

It is right that you get checked out as postmenopausal bleeding that occurs without hormone replacement really does warrant investigation, however even then the majority of cases turn out to be completely benign.

Also your age and type of menopause can have a bearing on whether some spontaneous ovarian activity may have resumed - for example if you had an early menopause or your ovaries had stopped working due to chemotherapy etc, some function can potentially come back, however if you had natural menopause at the usual age, this is unlikely 5 years on.

[KittyKats]

Alli8 - Good luck with your appointment on Monday. Post meno bleeding always triggers the suspected cancer pathway but HRT does cause bleeding and my consultant said the risk is very low.