Hi all. I'm new here and found you by doing a search.

I have no idea if I am menopausal, post-menopausal (how do you know?) but here is my problem.

I have not had a regular period in 1 1/2 years and am taking bio-identical progesterone. But almost every month I have had a little "spotting". That has never stopped.

Then in October, I had a small period. The period started when my husband hurt his back severely and had to have emergency back surgery. The two weeks leading up to his surgery were very stressful because we take care of our grandchildren before and after school. I had to pick up everything he did in addition to what I already did. I was totally swamped with it all.

The period started the day he went into surgery. Can stress cause that?

I had asked my older sister about the spotting and she told me it was totally normal during menopause to have this spotting so I had been totally ignoring it and going on my merry way. She told me she had it but she is now changing her story to she had a small period after 6 months and her gyn told her she was fine after an exam.

I saw my gyn for my yearly check up and told her I had had no periods until the one when hubby had surgery, but didn't mention the spotting because I thought it was normal. I did tell her about the very very light period I had and she is told me to go get a pelvic sonogram. I have put it off for 5 weeks because this all happened around the time hubby had surgery but now I have it scheduled. I started looking on internet and now I'm scared to death I have had uterine cancer all along and now it will be too late because I have been spotting on and off for at least 1 1/2 years (from when I first started taking the natural progesterone).

Any one else have anything like this?

Dear AmethystCrystal

Been there, had that several times and I am Post Menopausal but it is very common to have spotting and sometimes slight bleeding long after periods were thought to be over.

When it first happened to me I ran to the Gyno. and did every possible Test!Nothing all normal.He did tell me that the Ovaries will often have a little surge now and then and we are never entirely free of estrogen.Having said all that,and having read how common it is with many women I do think you are wise to have it checked out

And yes stress and anxiety can bring this problem on too.So please try not to worry .I have been on HRT for many years and have been spotting as long as you and honestly nothing to report!

All the Best
Keep us informed
Warm Wishes
Elizabeth

From what I have read on menopause boards, it is always recommended to get checked out for any postmenopausal bleeding, as it can be something serious. Hopefully, all will turn out well with you and it is just normal hormonal bleedings, as this too is common. Good luck with your appointment.

I was 15 months without a period and then had 2 light periods 6 weeks apart. Like you I freaked and had myself with uterine cancer etc. It's good advise to have the tests, all of us have, some several times. The chances are slim that you have cancer but you still need to be checked out. Try and relax and know the odds are in your favour. Hugs Jill

I did the ultrasound yesterday and doctor just called me. I have fibroid tumors which she said are nothing to worry about but that my lining is 9mm which she likes it to be 7-8. She said that she didn't think this was anything to worry about but that I need to have a biopsy done just to be on the safe side.

She said I might not be on the right dose of progesterone for my estrogen levels which are higher because I am overweight but she wanted to do the biopsy first.

So I am very upset and scared right now. I worry that it is cancer because I have problems with anethesia and if I had to have surgery it could be very dangerous.

When I had my ultra sound I also had fibroids and my uterine lining was a little thicker than it should be also I think it was 6 or something. Try not to worry and hold onto the fact that the Doctor told you she didn't think it was anything to worry about. Was it many years ago that you had trouble with anesthesia??? Hopefully it was. My Mother would go crazy when she woke up and see things at the window ( king kong) LOL etc. she too worried the last time she was put out, as she was a afraid of making a fool of herself once again. She warned everyone of the fact anethesia had on her and this time she was fine. Try and relax, stress is hard on the mind and body. Keep us posted. Hugs Jill

Amethyst: Please try not to worry; it will only make you sicker. I don't think you have uterine cancer. First of all, if you have been experiencing regular monthly spotting, then IMO, you are still having your periods. Trust me, when you go through menopause, there is NO bleeding, at all. After 12 months, of absolutely NO bleeding (not even spotting) then you being menopause. It takes a full 2 years, and even during that time, you an occasionally bleed. It should always be checked out, but 99% of the time, it is nothing.

Having a slighlty thickekend uterine lining is very common...please don't freak out about it. And I believe you can have a uterine biopsy under light sedation...you didn't specify what type of problems you have with anesthesia, but believe me, your doctor will not give you something if it is going to be 'extremely dangerous.'

Good luck, and again, try and think as positively as you can. Look around the boards...type in some search words, like "uterine biopsy" or "fibroid" and read about the experiences of women here...I think it will put your mind at ease. At our age, we have to accept that there will be bumps in the road...there will be unexplained bleeding, cramps, weird pains...and we will need sometimes to have ultrasounds, biopsies, surgeries, etc. It's just a fact of life; few women get through 'the change' without any symptoms at all.

You asked if stress could bring on a period. Sure. Pretty much anything can cause our hormones to fluctuate...stress, diet, medication, illness.. You should tell your doctor about the spotting you have been having...she needs to know everything in order to treat you properly.

Take a deep breath, make yourself a nice cup of tea, and oh yes, DON'T go looking up your symptoms on the internet. We have all found out, the hard way, that it only leads to trouble!

Take care...keep us posted!

Robin

I finally had my appointment with the gyn my regular gyn sent me to (today Dec 17). But she only did the consult today and said it would be best if I come back the week after christmas for my biopsy. They certainly do not seem to be in any great hurry to get this done.....is that good or bad?

In any case, she was booked solid for the week after christmas so now my biopsy is scheduled for Jan 6 .

She said 9 mm is not bad, they really worry when it gets over 10 mm but I'm in the "gray" area. But they cannot guarantee I do not have uterine cancer without the biopsy. This is right before she said it was okay to wait 2 weeks to get the biopsy done.

She said I have endometrial hyperplasia because I am over weight..great, another thing to beat myself up about. I've tried everything to lose weight. I do not overeat, I do not "pig" out. I eat no sugar, no sweets, and I limit my carbs to 40 per day or less...how much less can I eat?

I'm so depressed. This has ruined my entire christmas. I so looked forward to Christmas because it is the first time in 3 years I will be home for christmas and not traveling. My dad passed away this year and I'm sad about my first christmas without him.

She also said the bio-identical hormone will not help with endometrial hyperplasia only the synthetic one (which is bad for you from what I have read) can help that. I am not on the right dose of bio-identical in any case because I do not absorb the base they have put mine in.

Anyway, she wants me to take a drug that "softens" the cervix 4 hours before the biopsy so that it will be easier to get the little thing in. She said I will have cramping and could take motrin before the procedure but it's not necessary. She said the procedure takes only a couple minutes. (I have had stitches in my face with no anethesia after a car wreck because I am so allergic to topical anethesias so she said I should be able to get through the cramping because I am tough...I don't feel so tough today).

I'm sorry, but I'm so upset about this. It has been 2 months since they first said I need to have a sonogram. I have been spotting for over a year and now I'm scared I have cancer.

Sounds like you have had a lot of stress over the past year, especially the stress of losing a loved one. That can knock anyone's hormones out of whack. I speak from experience. And I, too, am allergic to many meds--nearly every antibiotic on the market!

I'm sure it's not cancer, and please don't start beating yourself up over the weight issue. Doctor's always feel obligated to bring up that topic and blame everything, including hang nails, on it. They can never seem to explain, though, all the slender women who come down with all these maladies. sigh.

I am 52 and still peri and am dealing with prolonged periods/spotting. My doctor told me I have estrogen dominance & low on progesterone. Has your doctor tested your levels? You are welcome to pm me if you like.

I'll keep you in my prayers. Please try not to worry!

I am 5 years post meno and never had any spotting or bleeding until I started hormones and stopped them. And definitly stress does alot to your body and mind. I think I'm losing mine. I've been through all the blood tests and heart tests and all is normal but still convinced there something wrong with me. I was on Lexapro for 5 months with no relief so now I'm on Paxil. Hope that works. I freaked out when I had my first break through bleeding about a month ago. It lasted 11 days. Doctors all said NORMAL. Of course I didn't believe them. I'm expected to get another one since I stopped the patch today. UGG. But please try not to worry. The weeks will go by fast and before you know it the day will be here and over and then you'll have some peace of mind that you actually had the procedure done. Please feel free to PM me any time...I'm the Goddess of worry!!!!
Char

Okay, had the biopsy done today. I took the cytotec 4 hours before and i think it helped, but OUCH. It did hurt, but then I have never had a cramp with my periods in all these years but now I know what they feel like lol.

I have been doing a heating pad for 3 hours and I do feel much better, cramping is almost gone.

Now I just have the worry till I hear the results (she said Friday, but we know how that goes). I've heard that the longer you have to wait, the better, but not sure that just isn't coincidence.

In any case, please toss up a prayer that everything is normal please.

I too have experienced a lot of spotting similar to you.

You are in my prayers, fingers crossed for good results

Dear AmethystCrystal'
What a lovely jewel.Sorry the biobsy hurt but glad it is over and I an pretty sure the results will be normal

I agree with Robin that 'surges' do happen with or without Hormonal Supplements.I have been on HRT for many years but still have a small bleed or some spotting.I of course,had everything checked out but all Tests negative.Finally the Gyno.told me to live with it or come off HRT all together.

Hoping for good news Friday

Warm Wishes
Elizabeth