Looking for some input on post menopause bleeding accompanied by discomfort in pelvis

Hi,
Not very knowledgeable in this stuff. Anyway - i am 52 and experiencing post menopausal bleeding. I had off and on periods through 2012 and my last menstruation was Oct/Nov 2012. since then nothing. Since 26 Dec i have been experiencing vaginal bleeding. I called my doctor ASAP and went in. she was going to do an internal exam because I told her i was spotting - when she went to examine me she explained that i wasn't spotting but i was bleeding. I am also experiencing discomfort and fullness in my pelvic region with occasional pain in my lower left side. I have a fairly high pain threshold so maybe it is more. She immediately scheduled a sonogram for monday 30 Dec so i am pretty nervous. I have had gynecological problems my whole life. I had part of my left ovary removed when i was 19 due to a dermoid cyst. I have had fibroids removed before - this doesn't feel the same. I believe i had endometriosus when i was younger - tons of abdominal scar tissure due to surgery/c-section/ectopic pregnancy 5 years after my tubal/you name it. I read stuff and am very concerned I might have endometrial cancer. I have been remiss and have not had a pap smear since 2008.

Nervous Donna, you are in my thoughts and prayers for no cancer diagnosis. It is good that you are getting this checked out at early on with bleeding. Let us know what ( if anything) you find out Monday. Big hugs, Ev

thanks for the prayers. I will keep you posted.
Nervous Donna

Nervous Donna

I am sorry you are experiencing fear and concern over all of this.

It sounds like your Dr is being thorough which is a good thing. Post menopausal bleeding can be from low vaginal estrogen or from something more serious, as you already know.

One thing to let you know...pap smears do not detect endometrial cancer only cervical cancer. I never had a bad pap but ended up with endometrial cancer.

For now take a deep breath and try not to borrow trouble from tomorrow, easie said than done. If it does turn out to look like cancer may be involved try to get referred to a gyn-oncologist for treatment. If you don't have a gyn-onc in your area make sure the Dr treating you has eperience treating gyn cancer or minimally has an oncologist attending.

Also if you do end up with a cancer diagnosis we have a wonderful Cancer Concerns forum here filled with knowledgeable, supportive and understanding women.

thanks for the information. I always feel that being the most informed helps you to make the best decisions. My husband really doesn't even like to acknowledge that anything can be wrong - for nice reasons. As i read up on things i realize that my earlier menstrual cycles pointed to the fact that i had a hormonal imbalance. I never talked to women about my periods, however, they were apparently very heavy. Always lasting 7 plus days - very heavy soaking within 1-2 hours and lots of clotting (lots). I had several miscarriages due to low HcG levels. During two pregnancies I was on progesterone shots for up to 10 weeks to avoid miscarriage. I always lived in different places so i never had the same doctor twice - no single doctor with my full medical history. Oh, well - sonogram tomorrow and then we'll see.