Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Postmenopause => Topic started by: M2412 on October 20, 2024, 11:59:49 AM
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I am almost 3 years post menopause and Taking HRT, progesterone and oestrogen (gel) and have been given a short course of prednisolone for chest problems. Within 16 hours of staring the pred ive had vaginal bleeding just like a period. This is the second time this has happened when taking pred and only just made a connection. Has anyone else had this? Is it normal Should I mention it at my next appointment?
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Morning. I think it's a steroid? I remember when I was given a nasal spray for 'hay fever' symptoms I had breakthrough bleeding.
Certainly worth mentioning as well as reporting on the on the Yellow Card system.
:welcomemm: browse round. Make notes. Ask away.
How is the chest?
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Hi M2412
The prednisolone is likely the cause of the bleeding. It's a known side effect of corticosteroids, but should be mentioned at your next appointment.
"After administration of corticosteroids in a postmenopausal woman an episode of menstruation like bleeding can be expected. This is probably due to a transient drop of androstenedione. In premenopausal women a transient change in menstruation cycle can be observed.
However, since postmenopausal blood loss is also an early sign of gynecologic malignancy, we believe all women with this complaint should be referred to or visit a gynecologist."
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If it ONLY occurs when you take a course of steroids, which is a known phenomenon with corticosteroids, then it extremely unlikely to represent any endometrial pathology.
I wouldn't rush to the GP with this as you could end up regretting it if they stop your hormone therapy and send you for invasive and unwarranted investigations.
Of course if it persists, occurs without an identifiable cause or is associated with any other symptoms then yes it should be checked out.
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MayB keep a mood/food/symptom diary anyway to check progress ;-)