Female Stuff: Spotting long after "last" period?

[Jenny in Florida]

I'm 51. I honestly don't remember when I last had a period. I know that at the time I had the radioactive treatment for my thyroid a year ago I was already assuming I was "done." So, it's been a good 18 months, possibly two years. 

 

A couple of days ago, I noticed some spotting. And I'm having some mild cramping. 

 

That's not typical, right?

 

I did a little poking around online, and I see the general advice is to see your doctor, because it isn't considered normal. So, I'll call in the morning and make an appointment. But in the meantime, as many of us are wont to do, I figured I'd check in with the Hive to see if anyone else has experience with anything similar and, if so, whether it turned out to be a cause for concern?

[Tsuga]

I know that happened to my mom and it was all part of prolonged menopause.

 

However I would think you should see the doctor anyway.

[gardenmom5]

supposedly spotting  isn't all that uncommon.  I'd check just to make sure it's normal.

[JFSinIL]

I had some cramps and spotting four plus years after my last period, so my ob/gyn had me get an ultrasound "down there" and then since it was not what was expected, I had to have a d/c and testing to make sure it wasn't uterine cancer.  Nope - benign polyps.  Which are not uncommon, but do need to be checked out since it might be cancer and only by removing them and checking the tissue can one be sure.  So, get it checked out.

 

Ob/gyn said I could get polyps again in six months or 20 years or never - no way to predict. Each time I will need to be thoroughly checked out in case it is cancer instead of polyps. As Ethyl Mertz notes below, sometimes abnormal spotting IS an indication of uterine cancer!

Edited April 4, 2016 by JFSinIL

[mom31257]

A friend did that and the doctor insisted on checking her but I don't know really what he was ruling out.

 

My mom spotted each time my sister and I had children. It was like sympathy bleeding or something. LOL!

[Ethel Mertz]

Definitely good idea to head to the doctor. I had that last spring and it turned out to be uterine cancer. Thankfully, it was stage one and surgery took care of it all.

[Jenny in Florida]

Okay, thank you all. I made the appointment.

[Crimson Wife]

A female relative had a miscarriage at ~50 when she didn't even realize she had gotten pregnant since it had been ages since she'd had a cycle. She had mixed emotions about it. Sad for the loss of the baby of course but it was totally unexpected and as empty-nesters she & her husband were not looking to start all over again with another child.

[JFSinIL]

Definitely good idea to head to the doctor. I had that last spring and it turned out to be uterine cancer. Thankfully, it was stage one and surgery took care of it all.

Glad it was caught early! This is why abnormal spotting should not be dismissed - if it is cancer, you want to catch it quickly.

[Scarlett]

That happened to me too at least 18 months after my last period. I called the doctor and I think he told me unless it kept happening to not worry about it. But I kept going for my checkups as normal.

[Laurie4b]

I've had that happen at least twice. I did get it checked out and both times it was nothing. The tissues of the vagina get thinner and can bleed more easily if irritated or after sexual activity. If that's happening, the doctor will probably recommend a vaginal moisturizer (different than lubricant) like Replens (I think?) or some people will prescribe a hormone cream. 

 

I think it's like this: Most bleeding is from benign causes, so nothing to worry about, though you may want to treat it; however, uterine cancer's most common symptom is spotting, so it must be checked out. 

 

To check it out, they will do a vaginal ultrasound and measure the thickness of the lining of the uterus. (It should be thin post-menopause) and if necessary, will do a biopsy. 

Edited April 4, 2016 by Laurie4b

[Jenny in Florida]

I saw a doctor in my primary care office on Wednesday. She did a quick pelvic exam and had me go do the ultrasound that day. She also made an appointment for a colposcopy and possible biopsy for this coming Friday. She called on Thursday to tell me that I need to keep that appointment and that they will be doing the biospy, which I guess means she saw something on the ultrasound that caused concern. 

 

So, thank you again, everyone, for encouraging me to make the appointment. I know it's still probable that it's not a big deal, but it's good to be on the safe side.

[Ethel Mertz]

So glad that you went. I've gone through the same thing. The waiting is the hardest part. I wish you the best possible outcome!

[mominco]

Jenny I am glad you are going.I have a friend who just went thru this.

Keep us posted.

 

Edited April 11, 2016 by mominco