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Biopsy or not - period after 13 months

Posted , 7 users are following.

rebecca95327
rebecca95327

Hi All, I'm in the U.S. I had a period, complete with breast tenderness and my usual week-long migraine, after 13 months. The doctor said I needed an ultrasound, which showed endometrial thickness of 5.7mm. He said that required a biopsy. I went in for an in-office biopsy, but my cervix has closed. He wanted to do a D&C in the hospital, but with my lousy insurance, it would end up costing me over $7,000! That's four months' take-home pay. He tried again after giving me a drug to dilate my cervix. Still no luck today. He said that, medically and legally, he needs to advise me to have the biopsy still or otherwise can't rule out cancer. He also said that given my "period-like" symptoms, he's less concerned and will go with whatever I'd like, including waiting to see if bleeding returns. My boyfriend is nervous and I hate that I'm worrying him, but I don't want to make payments to the hospital for the next several years! Opinions, please?

0 likes, 16 replies

16 Replies

  • tina73315
    tina73315 rebecca95327

    Posted

    If you don't mind my asking, how old are you?  Because they say technically, after a year with no periods, you are in menopause.  How long did you Dr. suggest waiting?  I would get a second opinion and/or see a menopause specialist.  I'm in the U.S. too.
    • rebecca95327
      rebecca95327 tina73315

      Posted

      I'm 55. The doctor didn't suggest waiting, other than to see if there were any more symptoms, a.k.a. bleeding, and to be certain to have a biopsy then.
  • pat61957
    pat61957 rebecca95327

    Posted

    I had the same issue! After about a year and 4mo (which meant I was menopausal) I started having breast tenderness and other pms symptoms for three days followed with a light period that lasted about four days. I had an ultrasound which showed thickening so I had an endometrial biopsy which came back fine! But she wanted to put me on progesterone to bring on a period to shed the thickening. I took ONE and it gave me horrible side effects so I stopped and went for a second opinion. The ultrasound was repeated which showed a normal thickened cervix!! She repeated the endometrial biopsy just as precaution which also showed normal!! I'm so glad I went for the second opinion because I never needed the progesterone to begin with!! If a woman is estrogen dominent she may have bleeding like that but having worked in Ob/Gyn for many years, I know that you should always see your Dr with bleeding after menopause. Having said that, I would get a second opinion with a Gyn Dr. Both my ultrasound and biopsy so we're done in the office so no hospital charges!!! I am also in the U.S.....NY. 
  • laurie93043
    laurie93043 rebecca95327

    Posted

    Hi Rebecca -- I'm in the U.S. too. 1st thought was maybe they could try something they used on me many years ago to gently dilate the cervix enough to take a good look -- it was made of seaweed I think, and very narrow when inserted. It opened gradually, like a sponge perhaps, overnight. This was at Kaiser, so I think it might not be "the most expensive thing." : ) I know they're trained to inform us and follow all leads for our health. I like Pat's idea a lot, to ask for a 2nd opinion from an OB/GYN. Planned Parenthood has been great for healthcare, for many women. Sorry you have to go through all this (I did too, and all came out fine.) A friend once coined a great term for many of our symptoms: a normal abnormality. : ) Hoping the very same for you.
    • rebecca95327
      rebecca95327 laurie93043

      Posted

      Thanks, Laurie. I'm fairly certain it will come out fine, too. I really think it was a residual period, given the PMS symptoms and migraine. I've heard of the seaweed before, but he didn't suggest that and I didn't ask. I get the impression that he's done with trying anything in office.
  • jayneejay
    jayneejay rebecca95327

    Posted

    Hi rebecca

    If your newly post meno - just 13 months then bled abit then you now need another 12-14 months to be post meno.

    Last year i was just 12 months post meno and after my well woman check with Gyno ( he does transvaginal scan ) he said my uterine wall thickness was 3.2mm but said it will thin more maybe. ( not via bleeding but drying / thinning naturally etc) i dont take HRT

    Hope your doc not scare mongering you

    Good luck

    Jay x

    • jayneejay
      jayneejay

      Posted

      Most likely causes .. Post menopause bleeding.

      * not actually being post menopause

      * newly started HRT

      *inflammation and thinning of the vaginal lining (atrophic vaginitis) or womb lining (endometrial atrophy) – caused by lower oestrogen levels

      cervical or womb polyps – growths, which are usually non-cancerous, that can form in the cervix (neck of the womb) or the womb itself

      * a thickened womb lining (endometrial hyperplasia) – which can be caused by hormone replacement therapy (HRT), high levels of oestrogen or by being overweight; if left untreated this can lead to development of womb cancer (also known as endometrial cancer)

    • jayneejay
      jayneejay

      Posted

      Is there any well woman clinics in US providing just that .. ( second opinion by a Gyno )

      I have a private Gyno here in southetn Spain- i get everything checked annually thats a pap smear, transvaginal scan, colposcopy ( look at cells on cervix etc ) 3D breast Scan for just 150€ - he is the best Gyno ever - gives you all your images - consultation - and listens and explains evetything throughout- then a written result report.

      Jay x

    • laurie93043
      laurie93043 jayneejay

      Posted

      Yes, Jay -- There are clinics for "women's health care." In addition, Planned Parenthood provides screening, family planning services, educational information and some of their clinics have additional medical services. They strive to be low cost/affordable or even free of charge. Clinics and services vary. A young woman I know was scared by a PAP test result, and was able to get further testing and help at low cost. They followed her condition for the 18 months needed to resolve the issue. Menopausal and peri-meno. woman are also cared for at these clinics. This said, Spain and your Gyno there sound wonderful. : )
    • rebecca95327
      rebecca95327 jayneejay

      Posted

      I'm not on HRT. I am overweight, but have lost 25 lbs. in the past year (yay!) and am still working on it. 50 more to go....
    • tbay
      tbay jayneejay

      Posted

      Hi Jay.

      Is possible to have the details for the Spain Gyno clinic. I will be happy to book for those test while i'm in Spain. Thanks, Toni

  • Oceanwaves1
    Oceanwaves1 rebecca95327

    Posted

    I am sick to my stomack reading your post.  This medical insurance thing is awful.  I am lucky to be retired and have medicare.  Are you privately insured from work place?

    What piece of you did he want to do a biopsy on?  Biopsies seem so simple, I guess they are not.  I will pray for your situation  Maybe another doctor?  Or are you in an HMO?  How old are you, maybe have everything taken out.  I am not joking, 

    • rebecca95327
      rebecca95327 Oceanwaves1

      Posted

      It's my employer's health insurance. I pay $200/mo. for it.

      It would be an endometrial biopsy.

      I inquired about a hysterectomy, but he said that wasn't an option and would be more expensive yet.

  • rebecca95327
    rebecca95327

    Posted

    Thanks, everyone, for your kind words and support. At this point, I may seek a 2nd opinion, but in the meantime I'll just wait and see if there is any more bleeding. If there's not, I've decided to move on with life and to not worry.
    • sheila91262
      sheila91262 rebecca95327

      Posted

      HI, in the UK they check all post menopausal women if they bleed again after 1 year of no bleeding. It's a precaution to rule out cancer but having period like symptoms are actually very common. A clinic or hospital will do a scan to look at ovaries and uterus to see if anything unusual there and assess thickness. A hydroscopy will take a look internally and the physician may take a biopsy to test for infections etc. I have had 3 tests now after having no bleeding for 2 and a half years and now 3 periods in 1 year. Nothing found, my GP says just some activity left in my ovaries. Have had some bouts of acne, annoying at 58, post menopausal since 54. Tempted to not tell my GP if it happens again!

      Try not to worry.

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