I am 56 years old. Aside from a 15 day episode (8/2012) of exceptionally light flow, I have had only sporatic spotting since. I have had 2 endometrial biopsies Sept 2010 & 2012, negative for any malignancy. So far for 2013, I have had a total of 8 days of spotting. The time frame between episodes can be as long as 45 days. I am in the health care field and have a strong knowledge base ...but I am confused at this point if I should be concerned or not. Willing to go through yet another biopsy, if necessary. When should I become concerned? Part of me wants to accept this as just an individualized way to go through menopause but the other part of me is worried!
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I would not recommend further evaluation of this bleeding at this time based on what you have shared. It is reassuring that your endometrial biopsy was reassuring 9 months ago, and assuming that the bleeding you describe is not more/worse than the bleeding that led to this biopsy, I would not repeat the biopsy (or any other testing at this time). The biggest risk factors for endometrial cancer are obesity and being on unopposed estrogen, so assuming you are not obese (BMI > 30) and have not been on unopposed estrogen I think further observation is a safe approach. When the bleeding continues to be less and less, that is reassuring (endometrial cancer usually has increasing bleeding over time).
June 19, 2013 - 1:56pmThis Comment
Hi Anon,
Welcome to EmpowHER. Most providers consider a woman to be post-menopausal when she hasn’t had a vaginal bleed for one year. Of course, all women experience changes differently, and therefore the age-range of when women first become postmenopausal is great. Natural postmenopause as opposed to induced usually begins in women between their late 40s to early 60s. Often, women are led to believe that all the uncomfortable symptoms associated with menopause disappear once postmenopause begins. This however, is not always the case, and the symptoms some women may experience when they are postmenopausal are very similar to those they are already familiar with.
Daisy
June 16, 2013 - 4:06pmThis Comment