Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Madge79 on October 21, 2025, 11:25:58 AM
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I am down the rabbit hole of terror! I was on sequential HRT for a while and bleeding was when it was expected (when stopping progesterone) but was getting migraines so switched to a mirena coil instead. When it went in the cramps and bleeding were a lot, went on for a long time! 4 months after it went in (April 2024) I had a TV scan and it showed regular lining of 6mm and a cyst on the ovary (classed as fluid filled - radiographer told me from ovulation which was a surprise) anyway this was all marked as normal and I went on my merry way.
The spotting very slowly died down but never stopped. Very light spotting not even enough for a panty liner.
I’m pretty sure I had very little, in fact probably no bleeding, between May and the end of September this year. Then at the end of September came a blob of weird jelly discharge a kind of orangey colour. Along with a sharp almost ovulation type pain. Then followed about 10 days later some of the light spotting again. This has stopped and started over the last few weeks. Went to the dr with a pain in my side and they diagnosed a UTI as trace blood and white cells in my wee. I’ve taken the antibiotics despite no stinging.
Anyway I’ve become obsessed and have urine tests at home and there is still trace blood showing. Went to the GP today who did a pelvic exam said cervix looks good but a little blood and discharge from higher up so has referred me for a scan.
Anyway I am now TERRIFIED as I’ve googled and I’m thinking the 6mm lining was too thick and what if I’ve had endometrial cancer for 18 months and the blood in the urine is because the cancer is now advanced.
I am hysterical! Can anyone relate or has anything similar with a mirena.
My symptoms cannot be trusted as a gauge anxiety makes me urinate, have upset guts, stomach pain etc.
Please any advice?
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this may be of course, vaginal atrophy! Did your GP mention this possibility.
As oestrogen levels drop the body may become dry: inside and out; scalp, deep in the ears, nostrils, skin, vagina, anus ....... and muscles may become lax = aches and pains.
Try not to panic! Because blood in the urine is common especially in dip stick testing. It may be VA has caused the vaginal walls 2 become very thin so there is a show of blood when wiping which clears it off.
Your GP is following protocols.
How do U feel overall other than terrified? Have U lost weight for example? R U. nauseous? Did the GP suggest how long it will B B4 you get a scan appt.?
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Dr said the bleeding she could see was from the uterus rather than the vagina. She said vagina looked ok and so did cervix.
I feel fine in myself only symptoms I’ve had (apart from crippling anxiety) are stabby pain up under my left rib and some abdominal discomfort but that’s higher up on the left at belly button level and that side. I’ve had urgent urintion and urinating a lot but I get that every time I’m anxious so cannot trust that.
No pain within the pelvis, no lumps etc.
I’m just so worried they ignored something 18 months ago that should’ve been looked into.
The hardest thing is there is no clear indicator that I’m peri or post meno as u have no idea!!!!
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If there was something sinister which the medics ignored 18 months ago, you would be quite symptomatic by now I would imagine. What is your next step?
Are you seeking help with your health anxiety? Many cancers are treatable these days; they are not an immediate death sentence.
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What help is available for health anxiety?
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fifty plus: Relaxation therapy
Exercise: walking, cycling, swimming, yoga
Medication
talking therapy
Bachs rescue remedy
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I’ve had awful health anxiety for many years but it’s back with avengance after I lost my best friend to cervical cancer which was missed by medics.
I’m going to try IEMT therapy for it next.
I just cannot think of anything else right now, it’s awful.
My GP said on HRT some people just bleed from hormonal shifts and on the mirena it’s thinning out lining so can be that. But all I can think of is my demise.
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They said within 6 weeks for the scan.
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What help is available for health anxiety?
Everything CLKD mentioned.
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Sometimes we have to advocate for ourselves when we may be vulnerable but are aware that 'something ain't right'. Sorry about your friend, sadly across the NHS there is a lack of staff in many Depts. so samples sit around longer than they ought to do. I can't understand why urine for example are handed into the surgery on a Friday :-\
Madge79 - R U able to take a cancellation/quick appt. if so mayB ring the Dept to let them know.
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Just breathe!
The uterus is literally designed to bleed in the presence of ovarian hormones (and their synthetic analogues)
This is a normal phenomenon.
You say yourself you don't even know your menopausal status.
6mm is not worrying at all.
The normative cut off value of 4mm was derived from a population of postmenopausal women NOT on HRT.
Some of them would be really old and had not seen hormones for years. Everything about them would have been shrivelled and atrophic.
You are making yourself ill over 2 millimetres. This is within the margin of error for measuring something on a scan.
Endometrial cancer typically shows up as 15-20mm or more.
The risk of endometrial cancer is exceedingly low in women on combined HRT, even more so if you have an IUS for the progestin.
The IUS is used as a preventative measure for women at high risk of endometrial cancer i.e. morbid obesity, anovulation, metabolic syndrome, and is now being used as a TREATMENT for early stage endometrial cancer.
Just get some vaginal estrogen, this cannot do any harm and will treat any GSM which is likely in the setting of NHS doses of estrogen and urinary symptoms.
I know this fear is likely stemming from the trauma of losing your friend following a missed diagnosis, however cervical screening technology is improving all the time and I am also assuming yours is up to date.
Most gynae cancers develop and progress over years and you will hopefully get reassurance after your scan in 6 weeks.
You could also see if they have a cancellation list for an earlier appointment - not because I think you remotely have cancer but because this is clearly taking a psychological toll on you that is way out of proportion to the actual chance of any pathology being present.
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Thank you everyone I had calmed down a little but today I’ve had painful left side again right up under my ribs. I remember at my last US 18 months ago they said I had a cyst on my left ovary so now I am terrified this was cancer all along and has now spread beyond repair.
I honestly can’t take all this worry! I have my scan on November 13th so 3 weeks. 3 weeks of spiralling!!!!! Not sure I can take it!!!!
My left side and mid abdomen around my belly button feels so full and under pressure 😢
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Stop poking! R U able to contact the Dept to offer yourself if there is a cancellation that U could go to?
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Yes I called them but I also have a private policy so trying to sort one via them as may be quicker.
Awake at 345 needing to pee again but unsure if that’s anxiety or a symptom it’s all very stressful. Anxiety also been added to as my son woke up the same time saying he had tummy ache so now waiting to see if he is unwell 😳
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I get out at 3.00 and again at 5.30 ......... usually getting back to sleep.
How is your son this morning? Was he hungry in the night? Is there something that he doesn't look forwards to doing today?
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I had the mirena fitted 8 months ago at the same time as hysteroscopy (so I know everything was ok then). I'm 52 and 8 years peri.
I've had light on/off bleeding and spotting since then as well as some cramping. As far as I'm aware this is all normal as mirena reduces bleeding, but doesn't stop it in all women.
You have done the right thing to get checked out, but in all likelihood, there is nothing sinister. But of course you are bound to be anxious. Try to breathe and distract yourself. Most of all be kind to yourself. Sending best wishes
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It was quite the opposite thee was an exciting thing at school today so he was over excited. He had a huge poo and then was fine! Think he was backed up 😂😂
Thank you Fusseh that’s reassuring, since I’ve had it I’ve never stopped bleeding really. The problem is it doesn’t follow a pattern but then in peri nothing does.
Fingers crossed it’s ok!
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Is he usually loathe to 'go' Madge79? What's his diet like overall, I remember veg that I woulnd't touch then would be OK with now ::)
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He doesn’t eat enough fibre so I’ve increased it for him.
Another worry to add to my list I have tested my urine after a course of antibiotics for a suspected UTI and now have protein in my pee as well as a tiny bit of blood. Bloody great!!! Must be kidney failure/cancer too!!!
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Yep. Will U choose a wicker coffin ? :foryou:
What U describe is normal for most ! Which is why GPs continue to prescribe antibiotic therapy on a dip-stick test.
The best thing after ABs is to get some LIVE Greek yoghurt - lots eaten every day. It will soothe the digestive tract from top to bottom. ABs strip bacteria from the system.
Some swallow kefir or similar but I can't face anything green :D.
Veg can apparently be swallowed in smoothies etc.. Or raw, my cocker would eat carrots, cauliflower, broccoli and bananas without any problems. I find that chewing is hard work ::)
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Hi Madge, we all on here know what it is to feel so worried and frustrated. I have recently been trying to sort things out had a couple of 9mm measurements. Had a hysteroscopy recently, still waiting for biopsy result. I always have microscopic blood in urine some ladies just do. I think if you get really desperate for an ultrasound scan there are a few places you can get one reasonably priced. Hope you get some relief and reassurance soon, it’s hard being a mum and coping with all this ballyhoo ain’t it! Xxxxx