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.