Post Menopausal vaginal bleeding causes?
I am a 71 yr. Old women who is now having a heavy prolonged period again, approximately 20 yrs. After menopause. I also have pelvic pain like menstrual cramps! I am now waiting on a GYN appointment after the Urologist confirmed it is not my bladder causing the bleeding. UTI symptoms originally started this process, and has progressed to excessive bleeding and clots with the pelvic pain on the right side continuing. I realize this is not a good thing, but am reading only 10 % turns out to be cancerous. Hoping I can hear some encouragement of what else it might be that’s not cancer from anyone that has experienced this. I did have a reprieve yesterday as the bleeding stopped but today it has resumed again! Thanks for any help in understanding what might be happening with my body. Waiting of course is the worst part, and I can’t get into my GYN for 2 more weeks. Thanks again and God Bless!
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@kkathysan Bleeding as you describe when you are post menopausal is certainly something that gets your attention and is worrisome. I'm relieved to hear that you are being followed by your urologist and there is a referral in to gynecology. If I were you I'd be anxious about the upcoming appointment which is two weeks away. Two weeks may feel like a long time to wait. And it is. May I suggest that you call the gynecologist's office and ask to be on their "wait list"? If someone cancels or an appointment opens up before two weeks perhaps you can get in earlier. I often do this with my own medical providers and it works.
I read your other post in the Uterine Cancer Discussion in the Gynecological Cancers Support Group. You wrote that you have a strong Christian faith and that you are praying. I will keep you in my prayers - we have to listen closely because sometimes the answers to our deepest questions are whispered (not my words - I read that quote somewhere and I'm paraphrasing).
What is the date for your scheduled gynecology appointment?
@naturegirl5 Thank you so much for your prayers. I am quite anxious about this upcoming visit. I was unable to get my GYN to work me in before the 26th of August. My Urologist thought that was too far out and contacted a colleague to see if they could get me in sooner. However they have not contacted me yet, and unfortunately I can’t get through the phone system to speak to a person. Grrrr! It made me wonder if I even want to go to a GYN that I can’t get through on the phone to a person! I’ve also asked my GP if they have a contact they could use, hoping tomorrow I hear from someone with an appointment before the 26th. Of course I am praying the biopsy comes back negative for cancer. But it is concerning for sure. Again thank you for your reply and suggestions. And especially thank you for your prayers! God Bless.
@naturegirl5 Update, I’m so excited I have an appointment for next Monday now the 19th instead of the 26th. Thank you for your prayers!
@kkathysan This is very good news. I'm relieved for you that your appointment will be just one week from today.
Since you are seeing the gynecologist on a referral I'm thinking they will already have some of your medical information. May I suggest that you write down your symptoms, how long you've had the symptoms, and what your concerns are? This is likely something you've already heard before or plan to do. I find writing information down and taking the paper with me helps me not to forgot or blank on something I wanted to talk with the doctor about.
I'm continuing with healing prayers for you.
@naturegirl5 Thank you so much for those suggestions. I will do that!
@kkathysan I can understand your worry - please keep us posted. I have had random spotting, the last episode being about a year ago and the only gynecologist I could get an appointment with, isn’t too concerned with my ultrasound results. Apparently I have fluid in my uterus and a spot that concerned my family doctor who wanted me to have a biopsy, but the gynecologist said there’s nothing to be concerned about. I live in Ontario, Canada, where there aren’t any gynecologists taking new patients. That goes for other specialists too. Anyway, this gynecologist said not to worry about it unless I have another episode of bleeding. 🤷🏼♀️
Please keep us posted. I can hear the anxiety in your post. Medical schedulers have no medical training. They simply fill in slots on computer screens. It’s a travesty. There needs to be a triage system for appts.
@rashida I am so sorry to hear that. It must really be unnerving with conflicting advice. Was it an internal ultrasound at least? My theory is it’s always better to complete the recommended test and then you know there is nothing to worry about. I guess the silver lining is 90% of these cases are negative for cancer, so that is where my thoughts are dwelling. Although it is really concerning when you have a heavy flow at 71 like I have. It makes it hard to forget it! I thought I was done with that visitor years ago!!! I will be praying you have no more episodes and it will be a distant memory for you! God Bless
@barbaradh I could not agree more with you on that. I don’t know how the Canada Health care system works but I feel for anyone that thinks they need more testing and cannot get it for whatever reason! Some things medically just don’t need to be put off. I have the feeling if I had not started with this heavy bleeding the urologist would have just kept treating me for interstitial cystitis, which was her diagnosis. However, she was really helpful in getting me an appointment sooner than I could arrange. I will be glad when this is behind me.
@kkathysan thank you for your prayers - I am praying for you too! Please update us after your appointment next Tuesday! Your situation definitely is more of a concern - I know I would have headed straight to the ER if I had had an episode like yours! In fact, the next time I have one, I will go to ER! For now, I will just have to take this gynecologist’s word - although reading reviews on her, she has misdiagnosed several times! My family doctor has sent out at least a dozen referrals - some even out of town - and each one has been turned down - except for this one gynecologist. Can’t help wondering whether the only reason she was the only one available was because of her track record …!? 🤷🏼♀️