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What Do Vaginal Bleeding, Cramps And Headaches In An Elderly Person Indicate?
Question: I am 72 years of age. I am now having symptoms of a menstrual period after not having a menstrual period of 8 to 10 years. The symptoms are vaginal bleeding ( not heavy), cramping, and headache.
Brief Answer:
You need to see an OBGYN doctor as this can be a symptom of uterine cancer
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and I hope I can help you today.
Vaginal bleeding after menopause is never normal, and even though you may feel similar to when you used to have a menstrual period, your body should not be making enough estrogen for you to ovulate at this time in your life.
Unfortunately, though there are benign conditions that can cause uterine bleeding like polyps or uterine infections, endometrial (cancer of the uterine lining) cancer, which is the most common gynecologic cancer, usually presents with vaginal bleeding as its first symptom.
So at this point, you really should see a gynecology doctor for evaluation. The doctor will likely recommend a procedure called an endometrial biopsy, which is an office procedure where a small sterile straw is used to remove some cells from the uterus so they can be send to a laboratory for analysis. The doctor will then likely order a pelvic ultrasound, to see the size and shape of your uterus and look for any other potential causes of bleeding.
Again, I want to re-irritate that there is a low likelihood that you have endometrial cancer, but it must be ruled out in any woman with postmenopausal bleeding.
I hope I was able to adequately answer your question today, and that my advice was helpful. If I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Best wishes,
Dr. Brown
You need to see an OBGYN doctor as this can be a symptom of uterine cancer
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and I hope I can help you today.
Vaginal bleeding after menopause is never normal, and even though you may feel similar to when you used to have a menstrual period, your body should not be making enough estrogen for you to ovulate at this time in your life.
Unfortunately, though there are benign conditions that can cause uterine bleeding like polyps or uterine infections, endometrial (cancer of the uterine lining) cancer, which is the most common gynecologic cancer, usually presents with vaginal bleeding as its first symptom.
So at this point, you really should see a gynecology doctor for evaluation. The doctor will likely recommend a procedure called an endometrial biopsy, which is an office procedure where a small sterile straw is used to remove some cells from the uterus so they can be send to a laboratory for analysis. The doctor will then likely order a pelvic ultrasound, to see the size and shape of your uterus and look for any other potential causes of bleeding.
Again, I want to re-irritate that there is a low likelihood that you have endometrial cancer, but it must be ruled out in any woman with postmenopausal bleeding.
I hope I was able to adequately answer your question today, and that my advice was helpful. If I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Best wishes,
Dr. Brown
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. Raju A.T
Answered by
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