1. < Gynecologic Cancers

Medical test options for post menopause spotting, cramps

Posted by leeosteo @leeosteo, Jul 28, 2023

I'm 66 and had vaginal spotting for four days in June. Did not see a doctor until July due to caregiver support for family member. Met with my gyn PA for physical exam. She ordered an ultrasound which showed previous fibroid was unchanged in size (roughly 1.5") and my uterine lining increased from 3cm to 5cm. She has suggested a biopsy but that I meet with one of the doctors in the office to discuss options. She said some women wait until the uterine lining is 10 cm or greater to do anything. I'm not comfortable with that, specifically because the cramping is getting worse.

My appointment with the doctor is August 31. My situation is a bit more complicated since my vaginal has narrowed making an in office biopsy more difficult. The PA mentioned I might need to go to the hospital for the biopsy.

Not having the benefit of meeting with a doctor, I'm leaning towards a biopsy. What is the difference between dr office vs hospital biopsy?

Does anyone else have a narrow vaginal with same symptoms? If so, how was this handled for you? I realize everyone is different. I'm just trying to get an idea of what I should be considering and questions to ask the doctor.

Also, my cramping seems to be getting worse. What does this mean? Not sure I can wait until August 31 with this pain. I am on the wait list to see the doctor earlier if there is a cancellation.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Gynecologic Cancers Support Group.

celia16 | @celia16 | Jan 21 8:46am

Can anyone advise if they had anything other than pink spotting? I’m post menopause 7 years and have dark spotting.

Also, how do you know if you have vaginal narrowing?

REPLY
Mentor
Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Jan 21 9:06am

@celia16 I had pink spotting and some spotting that was a little darker. It was not dark red. I had spotting two times within a week. At the second spotting I called the gynecologist for an appointment and I got in within a week. I didn't know what it was but figured it wasn't normal as I was 8 years post menopausal at that point in time. Since I had an active sex life I knew I did not have vaginal narrowing but I didn't know if my cervix could be viewed. The gynecologist did not have any difficulty with the pelvic exam.

If you've read my other posts on Mayo Clinic Connect you know that I was eventually diagnosed with endometrial cancer. Spotting is an early sign for endometrial cancer. But spotting does not mean a woman has endometrial cancer. There could be other reasons so it's best to check it checked out.

The only way I can think of whether or a not a woman has narrowing of the vagina is through the use of a vaginal dilator. Or a vibrator. Perhaps someone else here will have a suggestion. I use a vaginal dilator because I had radiation therapy that included vaginal brachytherapy and the dilator has kept scar tissue from forming in a way that could obstruct the vagina. That's what my radiation oncologist told me. Also, my nurse practitioner asks me what size dilator I am using which helps her to figure out the size speculum to use when she examines me.

Is this information helpful?

REPLY
1 reply
celia16 | @celia16 | Jan 21 9:54am
In reply to @naturegirl5 "@celia16 I had pink spotting and some spotting that was a little darker. It was not..." + (show)
@naturegirl5

@celia16 I had pink spotting and some spotting that was a little darker. It was not dark red. I had spotting two times within a week. At the second spotting I called the gynecologist for an appointment and I got in within a week. I didn't know what it was but figured it wasn't normal as I was 8 years post menopausal at that point in time. Since I had an active sex life I knew I did not have vaginal narrowing but I didn't know if my cervix could be viewed. The gynecologist did not have any difficulty with the pelvic exam.

If you've read my other posts on Mayo Clinic Connect you know that I was eventually diagnosed with endometrial cancer. Spotting is an early sign for endometrial cancer. But spotting does not mean a woman has endometrial cancer. There could be other reasons so it's best to check it checked out.

The only way I can think of whether or a not a woman has narrowing of the vagina is through the use of a vaginal dilator. Or a vibrator. Perhaps someone else here will have a suggestion. I use a vaginal dilator because I had radiation therapy that included vaginal brachytherapy and the dilator has kept scar tissue from forming in a way that could obstruct the vagina. That's what my radiation oncologist told me. Also, my nurse practitioner asks me what size dilator I am using which helps her to figure out the size speculum to use when she examines me.

Is this information helpful?

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Naturegirl5,
Thanks for that info. I will get it checked out. I do get annual pelvic exams and PAP tests, which have always been normal. Also, I have been using a dilator to maintain, since not currently sexually active. The largest in the kit is fine. So, I hope that means I’m ok in that department.

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flowerpetals | @flowerpetals | Jul 9 9:18pm
In reply to @leeosteo "may27 I'm definitely going for a biopsy based on input from this forum. In your case,..." + (show)
@leeosteo

may27 I'm definitely going for a biopsy based on input from this forum. In your case, what was the next step for you? Did you have a d&c? or partial hysterectomy? More importantly, how are you doing now? I hope you had a good outcome. Thanks so much for sharing your experience. I meet with the doctor tomorrow to discuss options.

Jump to this post

How are you doing now almost a year later?

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leeosteo | @leeosteo | Jul 10 4:34am

Hi flowerpetals. I'm good. After long discussion the gyn I had a hysterscopy. She performed the procedure at the hospital, removing a large fibroid from my uterus. The lab results showed it was benign. No further symptoms or issues to date..... knock on wood (smile).

REPLY
2 replies
flowerpetals | @flowerpetals | Jul 10 10:07am
In reply to @leeosteo "Hi flowerpetals. I'm good. After long discussion the gyn I had a hysterscopy. She performed the..." + (show)
@leeosteo

Hi flowerpetals. I'm good. After long discussion the gyn I had a hysterscopy. She performed the procedure at the hospital, removing a large fibroid from my uterus. The lab results showed it was benign. No further symptoms or issues to date..... knock on wood (smile).

Jump to this post

Wonderful! That is good news!

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Mentor
Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Jul 10 12:11pm
In reply to @leeosteo "Hi flowerpetals. I'm good. After long discussion the gyn I had a hysterscopy. She performed the..." + (show)
@leeosteo

Hi flowerpetals. I'm good. After long discussion the gyn I had a hysterscopy. She performed the procedure at the hospital, removing a large fibroid from my uterus. The lab results showed it was benign. No further symptoms or issues to date..... knock on wood (smile).

Jump to this post

@leeosteo Thank you for sharing this very good news.

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