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Menopausal bleeding - HELP!

Posted , 8 users are following.

Pra_Adoni
Pra_Adoni

Hi all,

I have been menopausal for about a year now, and yesterday suddenly noticed a little spotting and now got a normalish period today. All searches on the net are freaking me out as they say its cervical cancer! Any of you girls had similar experience? Do you know the cause, can it be polyps or thinning of ovarian lining, or is it cancer? I will go to a doctor as soon as possible, but in the meantime, I am totally freaked out.

Please help...tips, suggestions, information!

Thank you all!!!

1 like, 16 replies

16 Replies

  • gailannie
    gailannie Pra_Adoni

    Posted

    Hi Prat, this problem has come up many times.  And yes, obviously you would want to inform your doctor and get checked out.  However, before you get into worrying yourself sick here's some information.  When a women stops having her periods, it's totally false that her estrogen level falls to zero.  Our ovaries are still working to some degree and we are still producing some estradiol, albeit not enough to create months periods, but some. For some women It takes years for the levels to dwindle.  There are plenty of women who may experience surges of hormones which can result in a random period after they are in menopause.  I've known several friends this has happened to.  

    So yes, get checked out so you can stop worrying.  But my guess is, this was one final hooray from your ovaries.  

  • Maud12345
    Maud12345 Pra_Adoni

    Posted

    This happened to me 4 years post meno seen a doctor and all was ok if you read all the other post you will see its happened to a lot of women i no its hard not to worry i was the same
    • Pra_Adoni
      Pra_Adoni Maud12345

      Posted

      Thank you Maud & Gailannie! I am reading up a bit, and getting a little more info. Good to know that it seems not so uncommon. You know I had no discomfort or any pain before the spotting. It was just like - hello, what the hell is this? 

      Of course knowing that others here have had similar experiences after months/years of menopause does give a bit of relief (that I may not be at death's door after all cheesygrin)

      Will definitely write an update after doctors visit. The only thing is I need to get a time with my doc. 

      Keep your fingers crossed!!

      razz
  • chrisann144
    chrisann144 Pra_Adoni

    Posted

    Hi

     Try not to worry yourself to death I know easier said then done your not the first person to post this situation and you won’t be the last and no more googling that you raise your anxiety thru the roof I have read so many women that this happened too and they went and got checked and nothing was found like one of the posters said we still produce some hormones just not like we once did...I know when I spot in between periods I get myself worked up too...when you can make a appointment and see Your dr I know it’s scary I’m a nurse and trust me I wish I knew nothing at times knowledge can send my anxiety thru the roof

  • tracy66596
    tracy66596 Pra_Adoni

    Posted

    Hello there 

    I am in exactly the same boat. Last Friday I started to bleed. I haven't seen a period for 18 months. I'm 54. I saw my doctor and I am waiting to have a scan at the hospital. A week's passed and I still have no appointment but feel it will be soon. My blood loss has subsided but, like you, I have been worried beyond words. I joined this site out of desperation just to be amongst females who could relate to my symptoms. I have read many comments all week and I know although it's worrying it's also more common than I first thought. So please try not to worry, but see your doctor to be checked out professionally. I think we'll be OK xx

    (This is the first comment I've left, as I felt your panic) 

    • Pra_Adoni
      Pra_Adoni tracy66596

      Posted

      Thanks a million Tracy! I have slowly started feeling a little bit less stressed. Hope you get a 100% a-OK from the doc. 

      I know with all the other symptoms that we have to deal with, this was more like a sledgehammer, and felt more acute!

      But like you say, it does seem not so uncommon, so I will reserve my panic till I have seen a doc.

      Pls do post how it goes... Keeping my fingers crossed for you too! 

    • tracy66596
      tracy66596 Pra_Adoni

      Posted

      Thanks Prat62238. 

      My fingers are crossed for you too.  It's feeling like a long wait but we can stay strong together :-) x.  Keep me updated too please. 

  • tina00239
    tina00239 Pra_Adoni

    Posted

    Hi there, please try not to panic otherwise you will just make matters worse. Remember that when your ovaries first become active it takes approx 5yrs for the body to make sufficient hormones for periods to begin. So your bodies hormones sound like they are diminshing but they can still build up enough to trigger a period every now and then. What is a normal hormone level for one woman may not be normal for another so you may well fall into the so called normal range but that may not be normal for you so dont panic and go and see the dr and get a full picture of whats going on. Here if you need me. XXX
    • Pra_Adoni
      Pra_Adoni tina00239

      Posted

      Thank you Tina!

      I have regular pap smears (had one in mid-feb, but awaiting results) and the one before that was around 2 or 3 yrs ago and that was fine as well.

      We get regular calls or reminders for pap smear and mammography here (in Sweden) and I never miss any, and never had any indication of cancer. So I guess I should reserve my crazy thinking till I do get the results, but will definitely go to a doc.

      Thank you all girls, you have relieved my fears greatly. This time yesterday I was absolutely panicking! 

    • tina00239
      tina00239 Pra_Adoni

      Posted

      Hi hun, glad to hear that you are feeling a bit calmer than you were. At the end of the day worrying about things is not going to change anything. But being positive and pro-active will help as if anything is wrong it can be caught early and dealt with alot more easily. Let me know when you get your results. XXX
    • Pra_Adoni
      Pra_Adoni tina00239

      Posted

      Will definitely post here how it goes. I got a time at a specialist OBGYN tomorrow...and keeping all my fingers and toes crossed that its nothing serious. That I got a time so soon is more than a miracle...so taking it as a good sign from my mom above smile
  • DaisyDaze
    DaisyDaze Pra_Adoni

    Posted

    Happened to many of us! You get that panic feeling the minute you see blood. Scary, but common.
  • Pra_Adoni
    Pra_Adoni

    Posted

    Hi all,

    some update after my doctor visit. 

    Firstly the doctor did a ultrasound test and did another pap-smear (test results in 4 weeks). In the ultrasound she found that the womb lining (I guess that is what it is called in English...it is called something else in Swedish) is little thick, did not say how much. She did say that it could be partly 'coz I am having a period. But she also found some cysts on the ovaries. She wants me to come back in 4 weeks time to check the type of cysts - they may be water filled, in that case, totally normal and harmless. But if they are something else, then we discuss next steps. I did give blood for CA125 test. According to one professional article on the net "it is recommended that ovarian cysts in postmenopausal women should be initially assessed by measuring serum cancer antigen 125 (CA125) level and transvaginal ultrasound scan

  • Pra_Adoni
    Pra_Adoni

    Posted

    Part 2 of the post:

    So, though I am happy I was able to see a doc at such short notice and got some answers, it is not totally a-OK yet. 

    But atleast now I know I was right to seek medical help / consultation when it did not fell right. 

    If you are interested, please do follow this post. I will update it till I know for sure in the coming weeks/months and also what actions I will be recommended.

    Till then...THANKS A TON TO YOU ALL! 

    xxxx 

     

    • tina00239
      tina00239 Pra_Adoni

      Posted

      You are so welcome. Glad to contibute to helping you. I will watch your future posts with intetest. Hope you are feeling better. XXX
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