Post menopausal bleeding

Hokster

I haven’t had a period for 2.5 years. They stopped during my treatments, which ended 2 years ago. My MO confirmed that my ovaries were shut down and prescribed an AI, which I have been taking for the last 2 years.

Last Thursday, I began to bleed and experience stronger than usual pelvic discomfort. My SO claims that it’s not normal and suggested I see a gyno ASAP. My MO claimed that this is a side effect of the AI and nothing to worry about. I am awaiting an appointment to a gyno.

Has anyone experienced this? It feels to me just like a period, yet both doctors are convinced it isn’t since my ovaries were deemed shut down.

As lobular tends to spread to this area, i am concerned. I am still bleeding 6 days out

Thanks all

10402

I had a similar thing happen to me. After I could not tolerate Tamoxifen any more my doctor put me on an AI saying my numbers showed I was in Menopause. Multiple events of bleeding and was referred to an GYN oncologist. She reviewed my endometrial biopsies and determined I was not in menopause. She said that unless you have no cycles for 2 years before starting the Tamoxifen or AI, you cannot technically know whether you are in menopause or chemical menopause. I had my ovaries and tubes out and that fixed my problem. I was still ovulating at 55. All is good now.

Hokster

Thank you! I am almost convinced that this is the case for me, which leads me to wonder about the efficacy of an AI if I wasn’t really in menopause

Anonymous

I was ovulating regularly when I was dx, at 53. After all tx finished, and after I took tamoxifen for a year, I had my hormones checked. Sure enough, they were dropped, well in the "meno" range. Chemopause for me. I still ask for them to be checked periodically to make sure they are still in meno range, because if I begin bleeding I'll know that something isn't right. I also like knowing that the AI I take is still doing its job. I have heard stories of women becoming resistant to their AIs, and I want to know if there is any change like that, too.

Claire in AZ

Hokster

Here is the latest. I went for an ultrasound and an intra-vaginal scan this morning.

My endometrium (uterus lining) is at 2MM, which indicates a state of menopause. It is also within the normal range and thus decreases the risk of cancer.

They found no polyp or anything unusual that could explain the bleeding.

Can AI meds cause this? No doubt I’ll need further tests done, including one to validate that I am indeed in menopause (thanks Claire), but any theories

wallycat

Menopause is not defined by the thickness of the uterine lining, as far as I know. And women in menopause CAN ovulate...not often and rather rare, but they do. Our ovaries do not die when we turn a certain age.

Was this bleeding like a typical period or some red staining? Atrophy can cause skin to be so thin that it is friable simply from walking, and it can bleed.

I did read that switching from tamoxifen to arimidex does occasionally cause some spotting but again, these definitions are vague.

AIs can certainly cause more atrophy than tamoxifen, so that increases the friable skin theory. It sounds like this bleeding was incidental.

Are they planning to wait another month or two to see if this repeats? are you still bleeding?

Best to you and I hope it was just the drug switch. I'm glad the scans are clean.

Hokster

Thanks Wallycat! I have been on Arimidex for two years - I never took Tsmoxifen. The bleeding stopped today (after 6 days), although the pelvic pain/burn remains. It was exactly like a period, so maybe it is just an isolated incident. I’m waiting to hear back from my doctor on next steps, but I greatly appreciate your insights.

wallycat

Did you go through natural menopause or was it chemo-induced? I have read that some women do get a period come back if it was chemically induced.

I hope you find reassuring (and good) answers. I had polyps (incidental finding) but never had any bleeding so I'd have never known if I wasn't in an ovarian cancer study that required an ultrasound.

KBeee

I have had this twice, and I have even had my ovaries out. Cramps then bam! Bleed through clothes. Uuuuugh!!!!! My routine was the same both times. See gyn...vaginal ultrasound...endometrial biopsy out of an abundance of caution...told it was clear and they have no idea why it is happening. It is question #1 on my list when I see MO next month. It is frustrating.

I am glad all looked good on ultrasound. If you still have your ovaries, I would want blood work to double check hormone levels, and perhaps an endometrial biopsy.

Hoping you get answers.

Bird-of-light

Ladies, this is happening to me now. No period for 3 years. Estrogen levels checked periodically and always showed menopause range. I have one ovary. Starting bleeding heavy since Friday. Concerned.

Hokster, have you learned anything new or had additional bleeding?

Bird

KBeee

Let your gyn doctor as well as your oncologist know.

ReneeK

I'm going for a uterine biopsy next week. My last period was about 2 years ago after going into chemo induced menopause. I had some spotting last year but an ultrasound was fine back then My ultrasound from last week showed enlarged uterus with thick walls. I'm on day 16 of bleeding now- It slowed down a few days ago but got heavy again over the weekend. I'm concerned too......

PinkDahlia

Hi, I am new to this forum, I was diagnosed in 2017, lumpectomy, chemo, radiation then tamoxifen until April 2020 then Femara Letrozole, I am postmenapausal, recently had a light bleed for 4 days, ultrasound showed light thickening in the uterus, I am going for a D & C with biopsy. I am worried, are you all doing good now ?

Moderators

Dear PinkDahlia,

Welcome to the BCO community. We hope that you will find support here and information that will be of help from the shared experiences of our members. We are sorry that you find yourself here with these new concerns and hope that someone will be by to offer their story. You can also reach out to individual members via private message if you are trying to connect with a particular member. Let us know how we can be of help. Keep us posted on your test results.

The MOds

KBeee

Uterine bleeding after menopause should always be checked. Hoping all comes back okay!