I'm 65 years old and still bleeding occasionally. Anyone else in my age group still bleeding?
Posted , 38 users are following.
I have seen at least 3 different doctors. General Practice, Naturopath and OB-GYN's; but no one will say if I am in menopause. They only stress that a woman my age should not be bleeding. I've had pap smears (normal); ultrasound (normal); transvaginal ultrasound (normal) and an endometrial biopsy last year. One of the OB-GYN's looked me in my face and told me that the test results came back and I had cancer.
I looked at him and told him I did not. He was livid at my suggestion that he could be wrong. He had already scheduled an appointment for me with an Oncologoist for a consultation which angered me even more, because he did not have a right to assume I would be agreeable to this. He finally said, the definitive diagnosis would come from UCLA. I waited and when it came, I DID NOT have cancer. I respect the profession; but they will not dictate how my life will be lived nor what I will believe about my own health. I wasn't in denial. I just knew that my body had no cancer. When things are wrong, we as women really know it...and we will seek the help and hopefully, the right advice. I really hope to hear from others if you are in my age group or older and are still bleeding. The doctors have been taught to assume that this is not normal; therefore, it must be cancer.
3 likes, 110 replies
suzan123 Sesha777
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I'm about the same age as yourself. I've had some spotting but I had tried hormone replacement therapy for a few months. I had bleeding while on it but when I quit I thought I'd be over it. A month later I still have spotting. Doctor's are often quick to decide we need surgery etc. I will have tests done but I liked what you wrote.
Sesha777 suzan123
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louellen39047 Sesha777
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I forgot my old password and ID so, I resigned up as Louellen but, it's Jamie28919. Sorry for the confusion but, my computer gave out and I had to wait to get another one. Finally got it but, lost all of my passwords and can't remember what I had signed up under while setting up my new computer.
Anyway, I have begun a very light bleeding/spotting with cramping, pimples, headaches etc. at nearly 62 years of age (as of July of this year I will be 62). With an FSH of 17 and Estradiol of 198, I am in that "gray category" so to speak where none of the ob/gyn's seem to know what to do. As I wrote back up there in this thread (under Jamie28919) I have had everything done and not missed a beat with doctor's visits. I went on "Paraben Free" products only to keep the estrogen levels down and now, I'm on Weight Watchers to lose weight (only on my 2nd week now so, SLOW). As I sit here, typing, I'm cramping and scared but, I equally know that I've had all tests and continue to (due for another endometrial sampling/biopsy in May of this year so, next month). I have NO real periods per say, just this never-ending, now daily spotting of (TMI I know) pink, brown and watery red and the other symptoms that don't seem to turn into a period and frequent urination though I know it's partly the weight loss program and drinking more water etc.. This is also coming from the vaginal area, not urination that I know of anyway.
I'm contemplating seeing a specialist who does full blood panels and even changing hospitals (I'm in a large city in Canada where I have a plethora of hospitals to choose from) in spite of having seen 3 ob/gyns already. Like Sesha777 has said, I have the highest respect for the doctors but, I can't stop fearing this because in spite of them all saying (all 3 docs and my family practitioner) that I "may not be done yet", I have this fear that this is the lining building up again and break through bleeding. I was once 1.4 CMs/ 14mm's and have had 2 D&Cs done with pathology that shows NO cancer as well as 3 in office biopsies (OUCH).
I'm sure a lot of people have stopped following this thread by now but, I wanted to say that one smarter doctor I was seeing last month (not gyn related of course) said, "unless there's a diagnosis of pre-cancer or cancer...do NOTHING DRASTIC (ie: hysterectomy) and just put up with the constant spotting which is really more of an inconvenience than anything to worry about".
My question is...why do the gynaecological profession not come to a simple conclusion like this one? I'm NOT complaining about it but, THEY make me worry because of their wording of things that create worry. Examples are: "You SHOULD be in Menopause by now" or "we have to make sure that it's not cancer" and the ultimate after poking, prodding and causing pain is, "an in-0ffice biopsy is so small a sample that we can't tell what else is going on elsewhere," yet...even 2 D&C's, 2 Hysteroscopes, an ablation, polypectomy (none found on latest D&C in September 2016) and even sending my pathologies to be re-examined down in the U.S. by specialists and pathologists netted NO cancer or pre-cancer??? I'm either ok or I'm not. I'm either not done or I am and there's an issue (NO internal fibroids either found...only 1 external that they say wouldn't cause the issue).
I am somewhat prolapsed but, they aren't concerned about that. I've done it all, including nearly 6 months of bleeding on synthetic progestin (Provera continuously), a Mirena IUD that I only lasted 3 months on because of issues with it, Prometrium vaginally for a month and a half straight that caused so many side effects, I was taken off of it. I also have a disfigured uterus now from the ablation (bicornuate looking that was not seen before the ablation).
Other question is: does anyone believe that a 4th (actually a 5th now) ob/gyn in a different hospital might be worth trying since I cannot get a human voice whenever I call and can't take personal calls at work or don't get a call-back to even change or make an appointment for over 3 weeks or more and have to keep calling if there's a problem, leaving messages that never get returned?
Hope everyone is still following this
maisie05 louellen39047
Posted
I have an appointment in May to see a private hormone doctor who will check my hormone levels.
i think we are in the minority group of women who are not yet menopausal at 60 and over, and continue to produce a uterus lining that needs to shed. The doctors don’t know what to do with us. It’s good that we are monitored but they do seem to put that element of doubt in our minds that we aren’t ‘normal’.
What do you hope to gain by seeking another doctors opinion?
maisie05
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suzan123 louellen39047
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I think it doesn't hurt to get another medical opinion which may help to put your mind at ease. I think since your body is still producing estrogen ( which your blood work shows) you will continue to have some spotting or bleeding. I'm not a professional and I seem to have some odd issues myself but when you have a high level of estrogen it can and does cause bleeding. This may not help but I understand how stressful this is.
louellen39047 maisie05
Posted
Hi Maisie...oh yes...I can believe that you didn't get your scan results back yet. The results, really...should have been back in a week or 2. I think the idiots have lost them! I've had that happen. Perhaps, you should give a call and see where they went??? I've had to do that too. I'm so sorry. I know what a pain that can be to have to deal with.
And yes...they do seem to put doubt in our minds for sure. I've let them do every test known to mankind and even been under general anesthesia in the O.R. twice. I keep getting that I'm "ok" but, they want to keep repeating everything and yes, it scares the living daylights out of me. I have now become more about my uterus than my own life, thanks to these docs.
I agree that we are in a minority of unlucky women (though I've been told that it definitely has health benefits in entering a later menopause as well as longevity signs) However, more than anything, I've been told over and over again, "it's your weight...it hold estrogen". That may be the case and I'm losing weight through a program BUT, I also have friends who are as big or bigger than me and went into normal, natural menopauses in their 50's so, I'm kind of not hanging on by my fingernails that it's the cause. Top that off with the idea that they tell me the same thing if I go in with a fever and sore throat! LOL I think that they run out of excuses or reasons so, they pick the most obvious one??? I don't know but, I do know that I am tired of being scared about it. How about you?
louellen39047 suzan123
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Hi Susan:
I am on Gynecologist #3 now. LOL. I am looking for another one, different hospital (I have my choice of them since I am in a large city) to see their opinion AFTER I have one more appointment with this doc and tests, no doubt, to see what she says. I have been with her for a few years now and really like her as a doc and person (she's very comical and soft, works with me, not against me) BUT, her office is run dreadfully. NO ONE answers the phone and a call-back, even with messages left every day on voicemail (a no-no there apparently) gets NO response. I literally threaten the secretary that I'm coming in or she can call me back with a time. I get a call back then! LOL. However, the doc isn't in more than one day a week. The rest of the week, the secretary is in apparently but, locks the door and doesn't answer the phone. What she does in there....????? LOL. Maybe, she catches up on sleep??? I have NO clue but, YES...I agree with you that it is circulating Estrogen that's the cause and a LOW FSH at 17.
I have issues with my only child who has estranged herself un-explained from her dad and I. One Asian gynaecologist told me..."your womb is weeping". She didn't want to touch me and encouraged me to seek out a method of reconciliation with my daughter...which I did...3 more therapists who all worked on this with me together. I won't be back to see her again. LOL. They all laughed themselves silly.
louellen39047 maisie05
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By the way, Maisie...I meant to mention that yes, HRT CAN cause a build up of the lining and spotting. I have 3 friends who are on it and had full blown periods in spite of every day progesterone use. Their linings built up because the estrogen to progesterone ratio was building the lining but, it wasn't shedding evenly nor completely so, it just kept building.
Hmmmm....I wonder if she will adjust the levels vs telling you to come off of them? If not, why don't you suggest that as an option?
If you have been on them for 5 or more years, perhaps it is time to wean off of them? I know, I know...but, but....(I'd be afraid of coming off of them too...even my dentist who is on them and near 60 has been told that it's time to come off of them but, she refuses as she's afraid of how she'll feel and while I don't know what shape you're in or size etc., my dentist is extremely fit, healthy and SLIM. She makes me envious of her LOL).
That said, it may be your culprit as I know a few women who are going through what you are because of HRT.
Ok, so...it's the time of year for fans to be sold. Get yourself a remote control fan, layer up and down with clothes, tell your hubby or others you're around that you "reserve the right to blow a gasket or cry whenever needed" if this is the cause or problem. LOL.
barbara61116 Sesha777
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louellen39047 barbara61116
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Barbara61116...I am not Sesha but, I have had those gushes and still get them. I get clots and tissue or whatever it is from time to time as well as spot, clumps in the toilet water, blood as well and TMI, I know. Then, it's spot, spot, spot again for at least part of the day or better.
I hope this helps to let you know that you're not alone *IF* you are having those "gushes" as we call them.
.
Missy1958 louellen39047
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This is so me at the moment...Hi! I'm 62yrs old I stopped having a normal period approx 7yrs ago. Out of the blue a year ago I had a gushing period complete with large blood clots. Since then I have spotting of various shades pink, brown, red, deep red, followed by cramps, tiredness, dry mouth and throat, back pain and then comes the bleeding and clots, then it's gone as quick as it arrives sometimes for days, weeks a couple of months or just a couple of hours. I haven't told anyone I have them yet in the hopes they'll just stop altogether.
debi56496 Missy1958
Posted
going through similiar. is it better?
Guest Sesha777
Posted
Hi. I’m so new here. I turned 60 last week. I don’t believe I have had a break for more than a month or so from spotting. I stopped having real periods a while back, but I spot now, usually around the time I should have my period. The length of time varies. The colour and amount varies.
My gyne is confused. She did a D&C Aug, 2017, tried to get a scope in, but couldn’t, my cervix was too tight? She managed to get a biopsy, and it came back with no pre cancerous or cancerous cells. The bleeding stopped and then started again.
Today I had an ultrasound, again, and a vaginal ultrasound, again. I’m getting a bit concerned about it all. I felt that as I was having the spotting around the time, that I would have my period, that it was okay. But this is going on sooo long. And, sometimes, I have only a week or two break, and then it happens.
I think I can get hot flashes, but I’m not sure, it would probably be considered mild, if I did, I guess?
Anyone has any advice, on what I should be looking for, asking my doctor about etc?
Thanks for your advice, as I wait for today’s ultrasound results! There business days to my gyne. Today’s Thursday, si I have to wait until Tuesday at the earliest. I’m also having some pain since the ultrasound...?
louellen39047 Guest
Posted
Hi Xazi:
Depending on what the ultrasound shows (ie: thickness of lining, fibroids, polyps..which may not show up on a regular ultrasound...sonohysterogram might be needed...which is instilling saline solution to distend the uterus and ultra sounding..I've had 2 done. Not bad at all), it may be hormonal.
I'd suggest that perhaps, you get your thyroid checked, estradiol (you *may* still be producing enough estrogen but, not enough progesterone to fully shed it in a full period as the boat I am in), FSH (which fluctuates and really isn't an indicator but, gives a ball-park style idea of where you're at) and possibly progesterone levels (all blood tests).
*IF* your lining has thickened, then they will likely give you progesterone either steadily or cyclically to shed the lining. If it isn't thick, they may just do blood tests to check to see where you're at in an approx. way???
It may be that you're getting spotting from an overly thin uterine lining (atrophic) and they may need to give you some estrogen cream or suppositories to bring up that level.
It could be that your vaginal walls are cracking a bit and bleeding if your estrogen is low??? (Usually a gynaecologist can tell by an exam whether that is occurring and since yours is stumped, it means that it isn't likely to be the cause).
It could even be that your uterine lining is a bit thick and it's "falling on its own" as mine is.
I don't mean to be mean or pry but, are you Plus Sized or overweight? The reason that I ask that is that I'm losing weight on purpose through Weight Watchers because I am Plus Size and they say that fat stores estrogen. You don't have to answer me here but, just something to think about.
If you can, you might want to check into looking for another opinion such as a "Bio-identical Specialist" or an Endocrinologist because they would know more about hormones and do a more thorough blood panel/work-up.
I am going on 62 in July so, I've kind of had enough of this now. After 10 years, 2 D&Cs, polypectomy, endometrial ablation, rounds of progesterone, a Mirena IUD (I did NOT do well with it and had it out...easy process to take out after 3 months for me), Prometrium (another progesterone that is allegedly more like our natural progesterone but, it's not as it's made in a lab by a Pharma company)...my 3rd gyn and I have had enough now. I've had 6 biopsies (2 during the D&C's) and 4 to maybe 5 in office biopsies now. I've kind of had enough.
That said though...I am going to see a possibly new GP/PCP/Family Doc Wednesday May 16th so, I will see what she says. I still don't have the results back of my pathology from the biopsy yet either so, I can't tell you that but, I can say that there are all sorts of reasons WHY you could still be spotting like this. I'm doing the same thing...in spite of all that I've been through and had done. Just look into it further by trying another opinion. Most gyn's will back one another and won't like bio-identical hormones BUT...I think that's what I would do in your case. At the least, you'll have a full blood panel done and that much more, ruled out or in.
Keep talking. It can wreak havoc on us and our lives, can't it?