Postmenopausal bleeding

Hi Slkjuly,

I too was on hrt, but only for a year. I had 2 pumps of oestrogen gel and a progesterone tablet daily. I had 2 bouts of brownish bleeding then a large heavy period type bleed. I consulted my GP, and was told she wasn’t overly concerned, and thought it might be an imbalance of hrt, but as a precaution would refer me on the 2 week pathway, but not to worry. I was given an appointment within a day & at the hospital had an internal scan and a hysteroscopy. The scan measures any thickness of the uterus lining, and looks at possible fibroids and polyps. The hysteroscopy is a fine tube and camera inserted into the uterus, and the consultant can look clearly to see of any concerns, and a biopsy was taken to check for cancerous cells. I had had this done previously for an abnormal smear test and pre cancerous cells removed. Our local hospital do all of this on a ‘ one stop clinic’ basis so the whole tests are done at the same appointment. The consultant at the appointment advised I had a large polyp, and my husband asked her if anything looked cancerous, which she replied no, she didn’t think it was cancer at all. A few days later I was telephoned to go see her the next day, which rang alarm bells. As soon as I walked in her office she said I’m so sorry, but it is endometrial cancer, and even she was very surprised at the result. I am so grateful that my GP decided to refer me, although at the time it was not something I wanted to hear, had she not, I would still be sat now completely oblivious to it. I had no other symptoms, and had already ignored 2 smaller bleeds which I thought was the hrt settling into a pattern. I had a laparoscopic hysterectomy 3 months ago, and the cancer was graded 1A which means no further treatment required. The recovery was amazing, and I literally just spent 1 night in hospital, with little pain relief. I sincerely hope you get a good result from your referral Slkjuly, but please be reassured that if there is any follow up required, and it isn’t just the hrt, like myself, you are on the right pathway to getting sorted out. Anything you need to ask, just message. I have had the greatest support from everyone on this wonderful group, we are all here for each other, and anything we can help you with, if anyone has the answers they will. Sending you huge positive hugs, take care Emm xx

Hi emmpea,thank you so much for your detailed reply. I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis but glad you are sorted now. The doctor did say i was on the cusp as any bleeds from hrt usually happen within the first 3 months i have just passed that. I'm glad i contacted my gp now as i did debate it thinking well it's the first time it's happened....etc but decided today that 11 days of heavy bleeding was enough. If the bleeding doesn't stop by monday after stopping the hrt today then i need to call back to get some tranexamic acid. Once again i do really appreciate your reply. Take care and big hugs. X

I’m also glad , you’ve done the right thing definitely going to your doctor. Any bleeding after menopause should be investigated, and you need peace of mind. The waiting I have to say was the worst thing, you just end up tying yourself in knots as the mind just doesnt turn off! The first thing the consultant said was to stop the hrt, as endometrial cancer feeds on oestrogen. This did make me very resentful to hrt I have to say, I thought constantly that I shouldn’t have started on it, but then I think I just wanted something to blame, and obviously many women use it with absolutely no problem at all, Infact quite the opposite & they cannot cope without it! I will be thinking of you Slkjuly, do let us know how you get on. Take care, Emm xx

Well i have only been on it just over 3 months. I put up with menopausal symptoms for almost 2 years. I'm trying not to think the worst I've had no spotting or anything for 2 years and then straight into a heavy bleed that hasn't stopped. Thank you for your support it means alot and of course i will keep you informed. X