Connect
Post Menopausal bleeding-Benign Hysteroscopy
I’ve been in menopause for a few years, las period was Feb 2023. In July 2024, started some spotting and then bleeding. Went to the doctor, they did transvaginal ultrasound and founded thickened endometrium. I had a hysteroscopy and D&C where she removed some polyps that were benign. After the few weeks of healing, all was fine and bleeding stopped.
In May 2025, same thing started happening. Spotting, some light bleeding. Had another ultrasound, they didn’t see any bleeding from cervix, determined it could be a yeast infection, prescribed Fluconazole. I also have Lichen Sclerosis which was flaring up, so she suggested bleeding could be due to that as well. Followed instructions of meds and later in the month, still had bleeding. I took an at home AZO swab that seemed to indicate some infection, so I went back to the gyno and she suggested another hysteroscopy.
Had the second hysteroscopy in June, and this time the doctor said she didn’t see any polyps. She did a biopsy of the tissue and it was benign, as she put it she was “very relieved”. She believes the bleeding is being caused by obesity, because fat cells can cause the endo lining to thicken. So her only answer was to lose weight. I asked about future bleeding concerns and she said just let them know how often. So now, the test was June 17th, I had on and off spotting a few weeks after. Had the post op visit on July 2nd. She said give it a full month healing after procedure for spotting to stop. In mid July, it did stop for a while. But now it’s August and it’s started up again. Always the same way, first a hint of pink. Then a few days later, streaks of pink, on and off. Eventually it’s more evident and I have to wear a pad. It doesn’t seem to get as heavy as a full on period.
Has anyone experienced post meno bleeding just due to obesity alone? I am happy that my results were benign, but am I supposed to have a hysteroscopy D&C each time I have bleeding episodes? When this started happening, I had prepared myself that I’d be having a hysterectomy to lessen the chance of cancer or treat if that was going to be the case. I’m grateful that was not the case, and I don’t want anything else to be wrong but I can’t shake the feeling that more is going on. I haven’t come across any other stories online like this where it was just related to obesity. Also, if I were to have a hysterectomy, would that even take care of random bleeding episodes if it’s due to fat cells?
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Women's Health Support Group.
Connect
Hi Rainee. May I ask how old you are? You said you are in menopause. Has there already been a discussion between you and your doc about a hysterectomy?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHi gravity, I am about to be 56 as of next week. And yes, the doctor mentioned hysterectomy if there was any cancer found, but I had told her I was good with that even if cancer wasn’t the case, but random bleeding issues kept happening. Why would I want to wait for something to be cancer when I can have it handled ahead of time? She agreed with that logic, but after the 2nd hysteroscopy being negative, she said she didn’t think any intervention was needed. Also, this bleeding isn’t heavy, it’s like a very light period day and then tapers off. It’s just the unpredictability of it that is getting me anxious. As well as always wondering… is it suddenly going to get worse. I’m a super anxious person and all of this has made that worse.
I understand the need to lose weight, it is actually the root cause of the majority of my health issues, which are all being amped up in this last year. I have to get serious about it, but it’s so hard. I live alone, and hate cooking, so my downfall is always ordering. But lately I’ve been trying to keep that to a minimum and even ordering better options, cutting out some things and so on. I’m on Metformin since Late March, and I have Ozempic which I’m supposed to start but I have so much going on with this health issue (and others with my breast but that’s another discussion). For what it’s worth, I was at my heaviest last October at 260, and actually these last few months (probably due to Metformin), I am now 251.
On top of all this, I’ve been out of work since October (literally when all this started happening as well). So I have job hunting to the mix. I’m sure stress is also involved in some of this, but I don’t know how it could cause actual physical symptom like on and off spotting. Also, I have read that Metformin can cause heavier periods in some women. This isn’t a period as I’m post meno, but it just seems odd to me. The doctor doesn’t think it could be the cause.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionWhen i was 37, I had an endometrial ablation. Was done having children, and my periods were 5-6 weeks on, a couple days off, repeat. I was overweight. I have not had a hysterectomy; I'm now 69. After the ablation, everything was fine. Maybe approach the endometrial ablation topic w your OBGYN; hysterectomy changes hormones and alot of other not fun stuff. Just a thought based on my experience; I'm not a doctor.🙂
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 Reactions@rainee2025
Bleeding post menopause is not normal. I have never heard a gynecologist blame obesity for abnormal bleeding post menopause. If that were the case, there would be millions of post menopausal women bleeding!
Have you seen an endocrinologist to check hormones? Are you sure you are fully through menopause and not still in perimenopause? Have you had Covid? This caused me to restart periods during perimenopause.
Have you had full bloodwork panels done to check to see if any other results are abnormal?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 Reactions@rainee2025
What type of doctor are you seeing for metformin and ozempic prescriptions? Is it an endocrinologist? If so, have them check your hormones. The combination of menopause hormone changes, lichen sclerosis, obesity, anxiety/stress, etc. could all be contributing to your post menopausal bleeding. Depending on what you are dealing with breast health, that could also be contributing. You may want to focus on overall health and see a nutritionist/dietitian to review diet and supplements to recommend changes and getting more exercise (just start slow with walking). Managing anxiety and stress is important, too, with medications and/or therapy. The therapy can help you focus on self care. While addressing overall health, you can keep an eye on the bleeding to see if it improves with diet changes, exercise, weight loss, stress reduction, reducing anxiety, etc. A hysterectomy is an extreme step and may not be necessary. Most doctors would not approve removal of organs if not warranted and only due to fear of future potential cancer. Genetics and family history may change their thinking on this but insurance companies also require clinically valid reasons for surgery like hysterectomy.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI know it’s not normal, that’s why I’m always so worried and why I went to the gynecologist as soon as I could. But actually, there are a number of reasons it could be happening. The obesity factors in because fat cells turn the androgens to estrogen, which can thicken the endometrium, and may cause bleeding. I was not able to include a link, but if you google post meno bleeding obesity, you can find the same info my doc told me in some detail.
So for me, in the last year I’ve had two hysteroscopy that were both benign. Since the spotting/light bleeding seems to have started again, 2 months after the last hysteroscopy/D&C, I will definitely speak to my doctor again. I agree that the weight thing sounds odd, but it does show up as a common risk factor for causing cancer eventually, which is why she’s saying to lose weight overall.
Regarding hormone bloodwork, yes I had that done back in March from an endocrinologist, which was my first visit. Everything was fine hormone wise, the estradiol was high, but my doctor said they don’t treat based on numbers, they treat when there are symptoms. So, I’m guessing now in my case, this is a symptom!! I’ll be sure to bring that up to her in the next visit.
Only other thing was A1C being in the diabetic range now (6.7, the cut off is 6.4) which is why I started the Metformin. I am due to go back to him in early September, so I suppose I will see what info that brings.
Thank you for responses! This is all just frustrating and I was hoping to see if others had similar experiences, but that haven’t happened yet. I guess we all are different, yet the same!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsWow that sounds pretty horrendous! I’m sorry you went through that. But the ablation sounds like a good option, glad it worked for you. I’ll definitely discuss this with her when I go for my yearly. Thank you!
Hey, yes I went to an endocrinologist. He did bloodwork for all Hormones, everything came back in range, except estradiol was a little high. I asked the gynecologist about that and she said they don’t treat only based on blood numbers, they treat symptoms. So when I go back, I’m going to say it seems like the symptoms are staying!! There was another post that suggested asking about ablation, so I will definitely do that.
You hit the nail on the head with everything. I really have to take control of my health once and for all, both physically and mentally. I’m going to try my best to eat better and walk more. Thank you for the advice and support 🙏🙂
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsThe procedure was a new thing back then, but im glad I did it. To tell the truth, im not sure why it's not used more often when women are done having children and have this kind of issue. I had it done on a Friday and was back in the office at work by Monday. My OBGYN described it as a 'heavy-duty D&C'. It did not cause early menopause; I continued to have the monthly hormonal issues associated with menstrual cycles, but that was a piece of cake without all that bleeding. I started into menopause when I was in my mid-50's; all the monthly fatigue, irritability, bloating went away. I've never had hot flashes in menopause, but that may be an inherited thing; my younger sister has never had them either. We both had 3 pregnancies. Wishing you RELIEF!!
And, I was NOT diagnosed with endometriosis, in case you were wondering. Will be interested in hearing what your OBGYN has to say.