Post Menopausal Bleeding.

[Traci66]

I last had a period nine years ago, this weekend I started spotting, it is more of a bleed today, I had a smear six months ago and that was normal. My question is, do I bother the doctor or wait to see if it continues or happens again. Thanks in advance.

[Sqad]

Personally with a normal smear 6 months ago, I would wait and monitor the situation.

However if you feel that a medical consultation would relieve your anxiety...then do so.

[Traci66]

Thank you Sqad, appreciated, I will just wait and see.

[arwyn]

See your Doctor Traci..

[midagetrolop]

Yes you should see your doc. My smears were also negative. This happened to me two years ago and I was found to have a large polyp in my womb - it was removed, and I don't want to frighten you but it was a good job I went because the histology on the polyp showed "abnormal" cells, and I finished up have a hysterectomy - so go to the doctor even if it is nothing, it's better to find out earlier rather than later! Good luck!

[ethandron]

In the uk all post menopausal bleeding is taken very seriously, and the worst assumed until its proven otherwise. The recommendation is to go to your gp who will then decide what course of action needs to be taken.
Tracie, go and see your gp, it's the sensible thing to do.

[ubasses]

Yes, you must go. Mine turned out to be a tumour (non-cancerous) that completely filled my womb resulting in a total hysterectomy. Only 1% of the type of tumour I had are cancerous but increase future chances by 10%.
So while not trying to scare you, I urge you to go.

[gness]

Hi Tracci...much as I love the dear Sqad he's never going to have a smear test, normal or otherwise so take his second piece of advice.
Don't think....bother the doctor......they get loads of dosh to be "bothered".
I am a bit laid up just now so....to stop me buying things on line...always a disaster....I am making it my mission to see that you have taken medical advice....I will nag you...so...visit GP and post. ;-) G x

[kylesmum]

Best see your GP.

If you have been under any stress that alone can bring on those symptoms.

So yes , do bother your Doctor, thats what he's paid for.

[slaney]

Sqad's advice is indeed wrong - all postmenopausal bleeding needs to be investigated as soon as possible, so please see your GP.
The bleeding may be coming from the uterus; a cervical smear will not diagnose a possible uterine problem.
Your GP will likely refer you to a clinic for further tests..
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/postmenopausal-bleeding-or-spotting/Pages/Introduction.aspx

[Sqad]

slaney....in your opinion "sqad's advice" is wrong.

It is my opinion.

[ethandron]

Slaney, I agree. Not only wrong but potentially dangerous too.

[Sqad]

ethandron...just the situation that you have been waiting for.

Now tell me.......why is my advice potentially dangerous?

What would be the point in me giving advice that was potentially dangerous?

I await your reply with interest.

[slaney]

I don't want to get into a slanging match over this Sqad, but your advice "to wait and monitor the situation" which Traci66 seemed to be taking, goes against all medical advice.
You are known to be a retired doctor on this site, so there is a huge burden of responsibility on you to get it right.

[Sqad]

slaney....no....I agree two medical men with opposing opinions is quite natural, but i do object to the word "wrong."

I try and answer the question on a personal level and not on dogma and websites.

Here we have a woman who has had one...just one post menopausal bleed and this may have many causes, most of them innocent.

I look upon this is as she was my own wife and how would i proceed, in such a situation and my first post says it all.

If the bleeding continues for a period of say another three weeks, then i would certainly seek a gynaecological opinion. If however the pathology was serious, then waiting that three weeks would make no difference to the outcome.The commonest cause of post menopausal bleeding is indeed innocent and hormonal and this may well settle without concern to the poster.

Just because our opinions differ..........it doesn't make my advice necessarily wrong.

As for ethandron's accusations, I await her reply with interest.

[anneasquith]

post menopausal bleeding... see gp.

[Traci66]

I have now got an appointment to see my doctor on Tuesday, thanks all, will keep you updated.