Postmenopausal, thin endometrium – still bleeding 9 days after operative hysteroscopy (polypectomies)

Hi Rose

Have you been more active today than before?

Have you got any pain or feel unwell? If so then perhaps consider calling 111 for some advice.

Alternatively perhaps give the hospital ( where you had the procedure) a call in the morning for some reassurance. They may have given you a letter/discharge paperwork with a number on. 

There's some advice on here as to what is considered normal and what needs checking.

Hysteroscopy - an internal examination of your womb - Recovery after a hysteroscopy | Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust (guysandstthomas.nhs.uk)

Jane

Thank you for the link, Jane. I'll have a read of it now.

No, I haven't been more active today, but I did have a bit of pain when standing this morning. The pain has completely gone now. 

Yes, the hospital did give me a discharge letter – number is for the ward and I didn't want to "panic". Got a lot of health stuff going on concurrently. 

I don't have a fever (just within normal at 37.4) but will monitor in case it goes up. 

Rose x

I just asked about activity as sometimes that can cause a bit more bleeding.

I would just see how it goes and may be give the ward a call tomorrow- hopefully they will be able to put your mind at rest. It's not panicking- it's just looking after yourself. They will be used to ladies calling up with questions. 

Take care

Jane

It's a good point, Jane.

I think maybe it was the soak in the bath finally! Maybe washed things out a bit. 

Will keep an eye on things, but I'm feeling reassured after reading the link above.

My own discharge letter only said about bleeding for 7 days, but a lot of places say longer than that and I don't feel at all unwell. Also, I was walking around today, just no more than any other day, maybe even a bit less.

If the discharge gets heavier I will call. Also, if I'm still bleeding on Monday. 

Thank you for giving me confidence. 

Rose x

I misread my discharge letter! (Just double-checked it). Doesn't say anything about bleeding time, just about if discharge is heavy and guidelines for that. I've been dashing around today – too much to do – and things have definitely worsened, lot darker though more brown than red, not watery. Still going through multiple pads. Really hoping things settle by tomorrow. And I guess I'd better try and keep my feet up for a bit.

Rose x

Somehow I posted twice ...

Hi Jane

Decided today (day 15) to let hospital gynae know that not only am I still bleeding but everything worse than before I had hysteroscopy, ?is this change in symptoms normal. Person I spoke to said she would e-mail consultant regarding symptoms change and also chase consultant regarding my results (not yet on system, sent as urgent histology).

Advised to contact GP if things worsen or if exceptionally heavy told I can go to A&E. It's not in that realm, just bit difficult and uncomfortable. Yesterday I had long journey (couple of hours on a bus) with no chance to change pad. In the old days would double tampon and pad, not sure that's advised following hysteroscopy, however. 

I have a busy week and had hoped hysteroscopy would end my symptoms not worsen them. Have to stop myself thinking if it's benign, why are things worse, does fact things are worse increase chance of something being a bit amiss as only the histology results going to answer that for me. 

Maybe I should add in my lining only 2mm – it's all a bit of a mystery, why polyps regrew, why additional polyps given the lining was "too thin to biopsy". Unless it's taking longer to heal perhaps because so thin? Maybe that is an explanation (thinking aloud here, trying to reassure myself!)

Rosex

Hi Rose

I think letting the hospital know was a good plan. This does sound unusual to me and I would have expected the bleeding to be settling and not to increase- unless you have been overdoing it. Even then- it needs checking. 

With mine I bled for around 24 hours and then nothing. I was told some bleeding can happen but if it started to increase or if I needed to change a pad more than once an hour- this would need urgent checking. (I believe that they can give you something to lessen the bleeding) Tampons are not to be used I was told. I used the Always night time pads with wings after mine. 

With the amount of bleeding for two weeks the concern could also be about low haemoglobin/anaemia and starting to feel generally unwell. 

My advice would be if you need to change a pad within an hour to call NHS111 and see whether they think it is worth going in to be seen at once- or whether it is ok to wait to call GP in am. 

I am not sure what is causing the bleeding and whether it is normal for some ladies to bleed more than others. Not sure about the lining and the polyps and whether that affects the healing. My gut feeling is get seen tomorrow if you do not hear back from consultant first thing. 

I am not sure whether the amount of bleeding can really predict the likely hood of what the results may be. For eg; I bled a lot during the actual procedure and then a bit for 24 hours and then nothing. My results were a high grade cancer. 

I am sorry that you are having such a tough time at the moment and I hope your results come back very soon.

Jane

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, Jane. Have not been overdoing it. Been very careful – asked someone to take over for me this afternoon else I would have been carrying heavy bags. Do have a lot of fatigue so might need to check iron levels (history of anaemia). Really good points as always.

Thank you again, Jane. Am sorry your result was a high grade cancer. You have been through so much and yet help many people on here. So many people. The forum is very lucky to have you and I personally am very grateful. Save me a lot of sleep!!

Rose x

Hi Rose,

How are you getting on now?

Jane