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[Ady47]

Hello,
I found the forum after looking for help online. I have been in perimenopause for a while now and after having no periods for 18months I suddenly had one in August. Now December and I have had another one. This one was 9days long, 7 of those days were the bleeding was consistent and not light and then day 9 the bleeding was light, day 9 was just spotting and then it stopped in the afternoon.
I am concerned and wanted a smear done but the nurse in my gp practice just phoned me back really angry that I had requested a smear. She was very patronising and well horrid.
My last smear came back not okay. I had the next test done and they found something. That came back as okay and not cancer and I was put to having smears 2 yearly.
Is there anywhere I can go for a second opinion?

[jaypo]

Hi, I’m not sure where you are but I went to a fabulous private clinic in Newcastle,run by women,so you could either go privately or get a well woman clinic or a menopause clinic.
Smears can come back positive for many reasons NOT just cancer.
If it was me,I’d ask at your gp practice again,if you get nowhere,ask to speak to the manager

[CLKD]

Your Nurse isn't very sympathetic then?

What follow up treatment was required when U were recalled?  I would make an appt with a GP for a referral to the Clinic.

It may be that your ovaries are pumping out enough hormone to trigger bleeds, however, your GP should refer u for a scan to check the womb.  This is routine for unexplained bleeding on a 2-week pathway though it may take a few weeks depending on waiting lists.

As jaypo suggests, get an appt with a menopause clinic if possible, you may find your nearest by looking at the Hospital web sites.

[Ady47]

Thank you both for your replies.
I just dont believe that having no periods for almost 2 years and then them starting again is normal. The nurse told me it was normal and that I would be in perimenopause for 10years!
I looked for clinics but the only NHS one is not accessible and im a wheelchair user.
It is so frustrating and worrying. I will contact my gp in the new year and ask to speak with someone different. I live in Brighton 🙂

[bombsh3ll]

I'm sorry for what you are going through but a smear test if your cervical screening is up to date is not the most appropriate investigation for postmenopausal bleeding.

Your GP needs to refer you for an ultrasound +/- endometrial biopsy. There is a dedicated postmenopausal bleeding pathway for this.

It is not at all unusual and almost never sinister for the ovaries to have a last hurrah in the 3 years or so after what you thought was your final period.

However guidelines do recommend investigation if you have gone 12 months or more, and you are clearly worried so this is worth doing for your peace of mind.

I am sure your GP will be aware of this and much more helpful - the problem may be that you asked for a smear and were inappropriately triaged rather than being put through as postmenopausal bleeding.

Additionally you can book cervical screening privately including self taken kits which you can order online.

All the NHS does now is test for HPV and only does cytology if this is positive, so this is just as good.

I am also disabled and it makes me angry on a personal level to see other disabled women getting poor care particularly in relation to menopause.

Whilst hormone therapy is a personal choice and not something you have mentioned here, disabled women are particularly underserved and far less likely to be offered treatment for menopause than non-disabled women, so I would just say if you are not using hormone therapy, that should be because you have made an informed choice, not just the result of discrimination or prejudice.