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[karenlw]

I'm new here or rather I was a member here about 15 years ago in my earlier meno days but can't log in on my old account so have signed up again.  I've been browsing through posts relating to atrophy which, now at the other side of menopause, I think I might have.

I've been having some bright yellow spotting which seems to dry in an orangey-brown colour.  It doesn't look like blood so I've always assumed it was a post-meno discharge and not been overly worried about it.  It's only a small quantity leaving just a 'smudge' and is completely random, maybe 1-2 months apart, or possibly a week apart, maybe 20-30 times a year at a guess.  I haven't been counting but it's been going on for about the last 4 years, possibly longer.  No cramps, bloating, bumps or other sypmtoms.

I haven't given it much thought until a few weeks ago when I read this could also be a symptom of endometrial cancer and the yellow discharge can include blood.  It's made me panic - have I had my head in the sand over something potentially serious for the last 4 years?  I was on HRT for nearly 10 years until 2019, also had hyperplasia (8mm in 2010) leading to using Cyclogest pessaries to promote a single bleed which hopefully cleared it.

I managed to get a GP appointment for a few days ago and now have a prescription for Estriol cream to ease the atrophy so that a physical examination might be possible.  No chance of this at the moment - too sore and dry and haven't been sexually active for at least 12 years which, even then, was once in a blue moon!

Has anyone else had this spotting?  Was it due to atrophy or was endometrial cancer diagnosed?

[Therese83]

Hi there, sorry to hear you've got this worry. I believe yellow discharge does include small amounts of blood which would explain why it's drying a slightly darker colour. I remember this from pregnancy when the bright yellow discharge is common at the beginning. It's really positive that you saw the GP and are working towards being ready for a physical examination. I wonder if you've got bad VA could this lead to small amounts of blood in the discharge?

[jaypo]

I have had this just lately but I had a hysterectomy 20 odd years ago,so don’t think worse case scenario. My Dr thinks it’s all to do with the micro biome as my swab came back clear. But when doing the swab a small spot  of blood was on it,so she reckons it’s the va that’s causing it all and I’m now on estradiol pessaries

[Bentley]

Hi there,
I went to my GP as I had yellow discharge and also definitely a small amount of fresh blood. ( which I thought was due to over active wiping!)
She was certain it was VA, and prescribed estriol cream, and took a swab to test for infection and also a transport vaginal ultrasound.
This really raised my anxiety levels sky high.
Fortunately both tests came back clear.
I am still having some problems with soreness, so may go back to the gp.
Some of the information on the internet states yellow discharge can be a symptom of VA, so I’m sure you will be fine.

[karenlw]

Thank you for all your replies. 

My anxiety has been high after learning the discharge contains blood.  I'm now using the Estriol which has already had a hugely beneficial effect on my bladder issues and I'm proudly no longer performing the 'wee wee dance' before dashing to the loo far too often.

I have to wait until January for the GP examination followed by ultrasound.  It feels like a long 6 week wait.

It is very reassuring to note VA remains a potential diagnosis and I think the response to the Estriol has confirmed this is present!

[Therese83]

Thank you for all your replies. 

My anxiety has been high after learning the discharge contains blood.  I'm now using the Estriol which has already had a hugely beneficial effect on my bladder issues and I'm proudly no longer performing the 'wee wee dance' before dashing to the loo far too often.

I have to wait until January for the GP examination followed by ultrasound.  It feels like a long 6 week wait.

It is very reassuring to note VA remains a potential diagnosis and I think the response to the Estriol has confirmed this is present!

This sounds very positive, I'm so glad you're seeing an improvement and it certainly sounds like VA could be responsible for the spotting. It is so hard to wait for investigations though, I really sympathise.

[jaypo]

If the vaginal walls are thin,they are very easy torn,even by coughing or sneezing. I’ve just come back from a gynaecologist and she was very meno savvy,told me that yellow discharge is nothing to worry about and my blood spots is where I torn a little bit,so keep calm ……..says me 🤣

[karenlw]

@jaypo  This is very reassuring, thank you.

I won't be seeing the GP again until early January which means another month of worrying, but hopefully unnecessarily.  Other than these symptoms, I don't feel ill, tired, no known lumps or bumps so I am really hoping this is the diagnosis.

I've started having light brown discharge since starting the Estriol (low dose, applied externally only) but I believe it can cause this if small amounts of oestrogen are absorbed and older skin cells start sloughing away.  Again, at least I hope so.

[jaypo]

I’m pretty sure you have nothing to worry about,many women spot,bleed or have a discharge throughout menopause. I too was panicking like mad but the gynaecologist I saw had a good old look and was very reassuring. Do let us know how you get on though 🙂