Letrozole and spotting

Gryffinmom

Hello all,

I have been on letrozole for about 10 months (switched from anastrozole because of mild joint pain) and haven't really had any side effects at all. In fact, I feel pretty great. However, this morning I had some vaginal spotting that has really thrown me for a loop (I'm 63 so very much post-menopausal.) Im going to call my gynecologist first thing Monday morning but has anyone else experienced this? (I have had my ovaries and fallopian tubes removed but still have my uterus.)

Thanks in advance!

flashlight

Hi Gryffinmom, I'm on tamoxifen and haven't read about any spotting while on letrozole. It could possibly be a polyp causing you issues or dryness? Have you had a transvaginal ultrasound in the last couple of years? I would let your MO know as well. Sending best wishes your way.

Gryffinmom

Thanks for the response,Flashlight. I have an appointment with my gynecologist for an ultrasound next week. The spotting has completely stopped and I’m wondering now if it is something as simple as dryness. I had actually just seen my oncologist the day before this spotting for my routine 6 month check, which was uneventful. Now that I have my appointment with the gynecologist,I’m feeling much less anxious about it.

Mcodoluto

I am on Letrozole and read it can cause spotting. Good luck hope all turns out ok.

Mountainlover

Hi Gryffinmom,

I am on letrozole and noticed that if I am not regular in using the estradiol ovules which were prescribed to me (1xweek) plus a gel containing hyaluronic acid (1xweek at least) I have coloured discharge - I was puzzled at first and thought of an infection then I realised the colour came from blood! It disappeared as soon as I went back to moisturising as directed, and I have not had any further issues. The yearly appointment with my gynecologist was good. All the best to you, and keep us posted.

Gryffinmom

Thanks, Mcodoluto. I have found a little online about possible spotting, which is reassuring. Anxious for my appointment and ultrasound on Tuesday, though!

Mountainlover, thanks for the response. I was never prescribed anything for moisturizing and now I am curious. Wereyou prescribed the estradiol and hyaluronic acid from the beginning? I am going to ask about that if this turns out to be dryness.

Mountainlover

Gryffinmom,

yes, those were prescribed since the beginning, but maybe because I raised the issue even before I started with letrozole. I started having perimeopausal symptoms when I was 42/43 and noticed mild vaginal dryness. Then I was on HRT for a couple of years but stopped overnight when I was given the cancer diagnosis- I immediately asked about remedies for vaginal dryness amongst other issues. Besides some supplements, the BS told me about the hyaluronic acid gel, and said I could probably add estradiol ovules but that would need to be confirmed after final pathology post surgery. Pathology results after MX were considered "good" (in the circumstances) so I was prescribed the ovules. Both BS and MO were ok with those, and MO renewed the prescription when I saw him at the 4-month and 8-months check up. Good luck for the Tuesday appointment!

Gryffinmom

Thought I would return with an update. I saw my gynecologist today and she did an ultrasound. The ultrasound looked good and didn't show anything abnormal. She also did a pelvic exam and said that I had some vaginal atrophy, which she thinks could have caused the spotting. (While it was a big surprise and was definitely blood, it was a very small amount in one morning.) She said she could do a biopsy if I wanted to but she thought it would be very reasonable to not do anything and just watch for any more bleeding. She felt like it was probably dryness and the atrophy-- maybe some physical activity had caused the spotting? (And i had been hiking the day before.)

Thanks to everyone who responded to my initial inquiry!