Vaginal bleeding over a year after radiotherapy

Hello Emily,

I am 7 weeks post treatment and my periods have stopped. I am younger than youself at 40. I had a blood test just after treatment with my gp which indicates my estrogen is non existent. My GP has mentioned referring my to the gynaecologist to discuss options for HRT so not sure why they said you are too young. I am just waiting for a second blood test to confirm this is still the case in a week or two and will discuss this then if still the case.

Hi, Vicwil

Thanks for replying and telling me about your experience. I think I’m going to try to speak to someone else at the surgery. 

Hi Emily do you know what type of ultrasound you have been referred for? I’m 15 years out treatment and over the years have had several episodes of vaginal  bleeding and have been fast tracked for transvaginal ultrasounds as a first step in investigation. Thankfully no issues were found and bleeding thought to be associated with damage from radiotherapy, I’m also pretty sure that instances also happened after passing hard stools. It is so important that we are vigilant and watchful for changes in our bodies you are doing exactly the right thing to be persistent with your GP, I’ve often felt like I’ve had to be an educator with clinicians at my surgery about the cancer, the treatment and long term effects. Please continue to be persistent in getting a thorough investigation, ‘too young’ isn’t a good enough answer. 

Thank you for your reply Betty. The more I think about it the more ludicrous it sounds that someone who has had radiotherapy is less likely to need an urgent gynaecologist referral than a slightly older person who hasn’t. It just doesn’t make sense. I don’t think that the GP understood the damage that the radiotherapy could cause. I just assumed they would know. From your reply and from reading other posts it seems like we do have to do the educating. Now I know this I think i will approach GP appointments very differently now. Thanks for the reassurance. Oh and yes it’s a transvaginal ultrasound. To be honest I’m not sure it will be possible though as I am still using dialators. 

Hello Emily73 

Quite frankly I am amazed at your doctor's attitude given your history.  When I see any member of my GP practice if there is the slightest question mark over anything at all I am referred; one of the doctors reassured me and said it is not that they think there is anything wrong but they have a very low bar before they call on more specialised investigation 'just in case'.

I think there are occasions when you have to self-advocate and please push a lot harder and yes, see a different GP if you can.  

Please let us know how you get on, and wishing you lots of luck in getting this sorted out.

Irene xx

Thank you for the reassurance Irene. It’s so helpful to have input from others who have gone through the same thing xx

Hi Emily

I had endometrial cancer in 2022 and had surgery, chemo and radiotherapy. I hope it is ok to respond to your post as my cancer was different to yours. 

I am sorry to hear that your GP has not taken your concerns seriously. 

In some areas you can self refer for post menopausal bleeding. For my area I go to the hospital trust website and there is a link. They ask a few screening questions and then you can book directly to a one stop clinic. The first step is a transvaginal ultrasound. This would be done on an urgent referral. 

I don't thing your oncology doctor is being over the top. It needs looking into, even if the bleeding has now stopped. I went to A&E myself. If you do not want to go to A&E, and I understand your reasons why, perhaps give NHS 111 a call and see whether you can be seen at an urgent care centre? After my visit to hospital (I had heavy bleeding) I was then referred for the scans. 

Whilst any bleeding may be connected to your treatment I would still advise pushing to get the pelvic ultrasound. 

Jane