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What Causes Post-menopausal Bleeding?
Question: I will give you a little insight on what I am dealing with. I have always been in exceptional health. Over the last 3 years I put on 50 lbs due to depression. I am 5'7". My last period was 5 years ago this October. I am 60 years old. Last Oct. I went thru a VERY stressful time, I began to bleed. Very, very little, but it lasted about 5 days. Then nothing till 2 weeks ago, a little pink on the toilet paper after I urinated. I have always been constipated, and occasionally over several years, a little blood from the vagina when I strained. At the time of the bleeding last Oct, I saw my drs. PA. Ovaries, uterus, showed no abnormalities upon palpation. They suggested a transvaginal and abdominal ultrasound. I just had that done today, as I have no health insurance and pay out of pocket, took me awhile to get the money up to have this done. At the time of the exam, she saw a little blood at the end of the cervix. My vagina was also atrophied. Sex with my husband recently made me sore. Occasionally, I have a dull ache deep in my vagina. I am very scared I could have the BIG C. The results will be in on Monday. From what I have told you and the abdominal photo, do you believe I could be dealing with a cancerous issue? Thank you,XXXX
Brief Answer:
Some useful figures.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for consulting us.
So, you had what we call post-menopausal bleeding (PMB).
In up to 90% cases cause is benign & in 10% women cause is cancerous. Stress is not supposed to cause this.
After physical examination & Pap smear by a Gynecologist, number one test required is a TVS ( trans-vaginal ultrasound) to see the endometrial thickness. Unfortunately I was unable to open & see your report. But, this report is not enough to diagnose uterine cancer. If suspicious features are seen on ultrasound a uterine biopsy is required to confirm or exclude a cancer.
Hormone deficiency or atrophic vaginitis may also be a cause in you considering your sexual history & age.
Hope this is somewhat helpful for you.
Please upload your report again as a follow up query, if you want me to see it!
Wish you good health & all the best.
Take care.
Some useful figures.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for consulting us.
So, you had what we call post-menopausal bleeding (PMB).
In up to 90% cases cause is benign & in 10% women cause is cancerous. Stress is not supposed to cause this.
After physical examination & Pap smear by a Gynecologist, number one test required is a TVS ( trans-vaginal ultrasound) to see the endometrial thickness. Unfortunately I was unable to open & see your report. But, this report is not enough to diagnose uterine cancer. If suspicious features are seen on ultrasound a uterine biopsy is required to confirm or exclude a cancer.
Hormone deficiency or atrophic vaginitis may also be a cause in you considering your sexual history & age.
Hope this is somewhat helpful for you.
Please upload your report again as a follow up query, if you want me to see it!
Wish you good health & all the best.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I had a TVS Sat. and my ultrasound was unremarkable, uterine lining is 5mm. They said this is borderline. Should I be concerned? I have gained 50 lbs in the past 2 1/2 years, if I lose this added weight, could this possibly help to make the uterine lining less? Thank you
Brief Answer:
Yes, loosing wait will lower your risk.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for your question & feedback.
Very sorry for a late reply.
Yes, this endometrial thickness is borderline above normal. You need to exclude uterine pathologies like endometrial hyperplasia & cancer by doing a formal uterine biopsy.
Obesity is a risk factor for uterine ( endometrial cancer). So, loosing wait is likely to help you in the long run, but, currently you need to investigate this further. Whatever has happened cannot be undone.
Hope everything turns out to be normal.
Take care.
Yes, loosing wait will lower your risk.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for your question & feedback.
Very sorry for a late reply.
Yes, this endometrial thickness is borderline above normal. You need to exclude uterine pathologies like endometrial hyperplasia & cancer by doing a formal uterine biopsy.
Obesity is a risk factor for uterine ( endometrial cancer). So, loosing wait is likely to help you in the long run, but, currently you need to investigate this further. Whatever has happened cannot be undone.
Hope everything turns out to be normal.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for answering my doctor said if I have any more bleeding or pain that I need to call him and he would send me to a OBGYN right now he said that the ultrasound was quote unremarkable and that was borderline that's all they sent me you really believe that this should be looked into a little more as I said I've had bleeding twice since October which is been very very minor thank you for your continued help
Brief Answer:
Yes, endometrial biopsy is required.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome back.
Yes, endometrial sampling is recommended in women with post-menopausal bleeding, in whom endometrium is > 4mm. So, it is better to see a Gynecologist & get this done.
Hope I have given you the desired information.
Best regards.
Yes, endometrial biopsy is required.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome back.
Yes, endometrial sampling is recommended in women with post-menopausal bleeding, in whom endometrium is > 4mm. So, it is better to see a Gynecologist & get this done.
Hope I have given you the desired information.
Best regards.
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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