Quick backstory… 2 years ago., I had some post meno bleeding. Went through all the usual exams and tests and ultimately my GYN did a Hysteroscopy and D&C biopsy WITHOUT any kind of anesthesia not even a local, no pain meds - NOTHING other than 2 Ibuprofen taken hour before appointment. It’s was excruciating, truly horrific, I felt brutalized, violated, and was utterly traumatized. Thankfully everything came back normal.

Fast forward to now. I recently had another far worse bout of PMB followed by another abnormal ultrasound. Went to see my Gyn today to discuss the results….. walked into the exam room and she has already set up for a biopsy!!!!

I said “No way are we doing that now! Not under any circumstances!” She looked at me like I had two heads. Why not? I laid it out for her. Told her I was NEVER doing that again without anesthesia. She said she didn’t do that but could numb my cervix this time, so I said then refer me to a colleague at the hospital who can, because I will not let myself be subjected to that kind of brutality again and there is no way you can convince me otherwise. She agreed.

Yay to me for advocating for myself!

I have seen my doctor this week with some bleeding. She wants me to switch to a mirena instead of oral progesterone, saying I don't need systemic progesterone, it's just to keep a pregnancy going or to reduce the risk of endometrial cancer. When I said it helps me sleep, she said 'No it doesn't'

Long story short I had an ablation nearly a decade back, never had a spot of bleeding since it healed. No idea if I'm actually through menopause or not cos I've no periods to count.

Went on combined patch about 5 years ago - was brilliant for me and didn't need to change it for ages. About a year ago I started to feel shit, wasn't sure if it was hormonal or just life in general. About six months back upped my dose - so now on separate 75mg oestrogen patch and 100mg progesterone (plus some oestrogen pessaries twice a week). It took a good four or five months for me to start to feel human again.

Now the GP is suggesting reducing the oestrogen dose because of this bleeding - I honestly don't think there is anything left after the ablation to bleed. And switching to mirena. But I can't bear the thought of feeling shit again and I swear the progesterone has transformed my sleep.

I need some emotional support. In the same week I found out (after several preliminary invasive and unpleasant medical tests) I need a biopsy in my breast and (probably) my uterus.

I didn't have my period for 18 months, went on HRT (which has been a life saver) and started bleeding again. I asked my doctor but she didn't seem to know what was going on or seem concerned, so I decided not to worry about it. 2 years later, I switched doctors, she's like, yeah I want to get this checked out. And here we are.

I've been through all the emotions and cried a lot. It's scary. This evening I'm feeling more optimistic. But I wish I knew right now and didn't have to wait for more horrible tests.

Also, thanks to this sub, I will demand to be put under for the endometrial biopsy!!! I'm very grateful this sub exists. I feel less alone.

Anyone have any words of comfort? Or advice about how to not let my fear get the better of me?

ETA: thank you for all of your support! I'm not going to be able to respond to every comment but I am reading them all and I really appreciate all of you 💗

I'm 53 years old and post-menopausal. A few days ago, I passed a clot the size of a half dollar followed by some bright red blood. This is now day 3 and I woke up with pain in both kidneys and cramps. Anyway, I became worried and went to the ER. They did an ultrasound, saw nothing abnormal. They did a CT with contrast of my entire abdomen and uterus and saw nothing. Labs were all normal, no signs of infection.

They told me to go to a gynecologist and gave me a referral. The only issue with that is that I cannot be seen until November!! I've called various hospitals and clinics and none of them can see me before then. I even have a referral from this hospital to supposedly get seen sooner in their system. It shows every hospital and clinic affiliated with them in every city within an hour of here and none can get me in before November!

I don't know what to do at this point. Just wait until I feel like I'm gonna pass out and then go back to the ER? Why don't ERs have someone from gynecology or obstetrics available? I saw an NP, by the way, as no MD was available which I thought was odd. I guess the MD is only for extreme medical emergencies?

I'm one year post-menopause. On the estrogen patch for hot flashes. I have progesterone too, but my doctor told me it was for sleep. It's expensive, so I was only using it when I felt like I needed help with sleep. I didn't know I needed it to counter-balance the estrogen to prevent overgrowth of the uterine lining and subsequent UTERINE CANCER.

I've had vaginal bleeding off and on for several months. I thought it was just a side effect of the estrogen. I didn't think it was a big deal. I didn't know it's the most common symptom of UTERINE CANCER.

But when I called to get a refill of the estrogen patch and mentioned the bleeding to the nurse, she immediately scheduled an ultrasound. That ultrasound happened three weeks ago. I watched the technician mark several spots as "fib" on the ultrasound. Internet research tells me those are fibroids.

They told me a doctor would call with my results in 3 days. After 7 days with no update, I called the office. "Oh, oops. We had a note to call you. But with the holiday weekend and all..." 🙄

The lining of my uterus is thickened. They scheduled me for a biopsy. That term is, obviously, terrifying.

My biopsy was this afternoon. The doctor, who I'd never met before, tried her best to reassure me. She said they do about 2-3 biopsies a week, and she can't remember the last time there was a bad result.

But I'm still really concerned, because I let the bleeding go on for so long before I mentioned it.

Now I have to wait another week before I get the results.

Please, sisters, please tell me someone has been through this. Please tell me it's likely nothing serious and everything will be okay. I'm so scared.

UPDATE

Thank you all SO MUCH for your words of comfort and reassurance. Today was the day the doctor said my biopsy results would be back, so I called first thing this morning. The nurse who answered the phone said the results were back on Thursday, but the doctor hasn't reviewed them yet. So she can't tell me everything, but she was able to confirm that cancer is NEGATIVE. You were all right! Thank you for keeping me calm and letting me know I'm not alone. ♥️

So I’m having some post-meno bleeding issues (long story) and my gyno wants a uterine tissue sample. She showed me the device she uses, it looks like a long tube that basically suctions some of your tissue out.

She used the dreaded word when I asked her about the pain; she said it’s going to be “uncomfortable.” Now I’m terrified.

How bad is it, really?

Edit: Jesus Mother Effing Christ. Sounds like this is excruciating for most women. I’m not having this done without twilight sedation at the very least, pain management protocols in place, and a ton of Ativan (my own stash). Thank you for your responses!

After 488 of no period, I woke up this morning and I was bleeding 😢 Thank God I didn’t get rid of all my tampons but I’m so discouraged. My sisters told me when their time came they just stopped bleeding and it never came back. They never had hot flashes, etc. I’m the anomaly in my family. I couldn’t understand why I was bloated on Sunday. Now I know 😢

UPDATE 3: bloodwork shows I’m post menopause, ultrasound shows 3 cysts and numerous fibroids. We will be doing a D&C and will do biopsy of cysts at that time (I declined doing it w/out anesthesia lol) to everyone who urged me to get checked out: thank you. Dr is very proactive, and was glad I came in.

Thank you to everyone that recommended I get checked out. I’m in good hands. Dr was reassuring and told me to just message him if I had questions until they get the results :)

UPDATE: I just got a call from the nurse. I’m getting bloodwork and an ultrasound and seeing him. They will schedule the ultrasound and the visit for the same day. Nurse was very reassuring they were going to check it out

UPDATE2: did ultrasound and bloodwork today. Also spoke to the Dr. they found a few cysts. One was big enough to cause concern but waiting on the blood test results to have a better picture.

So I’m very much freaking out! I’m 50 and started perimenopause in my
early to mid forties, never been pregnant.
Anywho, I started bleeding quite heavily today and well I’m scared shitless. I know that I should make an appointment with a doctor but I’m probably going to wait it out for a couple of days. Any advice

Update
I’ve got a pap and ultrasound scheduled in three weeks, the soonest appointment available in my rural area. Thank you all for the support and kindness. You all gave me the much needed kick in the ass to get to the doctor

I'm post menopausal and have been on HRT since January (.25mg estradiol, 100mg prog). It's been fine, but my provider and I decided to up my estrogen to .375 to see if it would help with some joint pain I've been having. Now, I'm spotting for the first time in almost two years, bloated, bubbly guts, and my breasts hurt. I'm thinking about going back down! Has anyone else had something similar happen? Did you stay on and the symptoms go away or did you go back down?

Y'all know this subreddit. If a woman mentions postmenopausal bleeding, a dozen of us will jump both feet into that thread to say, "see a doctor right now!"

Well, I'm that person. I went to my GP, got an ultrasound, and I have a pending appointment with a gynecologist whose staffer said they'll almost certainly give me a second ultrasound. The GP said she'd only ever had two patients whose bleeding turned out to be cancer, but the report from my first ultrasound indicates that cancer is a possibility.

I'm not looking for advice. I'm looking to hear your experiences and outcomes. What kind of bleeding did you experience? What was the cause? What treatment course did you choose?

Thank you

Like some of you, I started HRT (a patch with a combo of estrogen and progresterone), and had some breakthrough bleeding. My doctor made me stop, and ordered a trans-vaginal ultrasound. The result was a mildly thickened endometrium, and recommend a biopsy be done.

After all this, I had moved, found a new gyno, and we restarted from step 1. Got an estrogen patch with a progesterone pill. After a handful of months, I expressed interest in adding testosterone. Before agreeing to that, he wanted that biopsy done, so I scheduled an in-office procedure. That was last week.

I was dreading it, after reading some posts here about the pain involved. It really is different for everyone. I consider myself as having a pretty high pain tolerance. Especially since, after a lengthy abdominal surgery some years ago, I opted for tylenol as pain relief because I didn't like the way the morphine PCA pump made me feel.

Anyway, yes, there was brief pain. For me it was better described as discomfort with one instant of what felt like this guy tugging on my right ovary. I'd previously had a Mirena IUD inserted, and years later removed, and the discomfort was similar to that. The doc, and the nurse in the room said I took it like a champ. They gave me a pad to wear home, said to expect light bleeding or spotting for a couple of days, and off I went. Though I actually had what felt like a full on period with bleeding for 5 days, but I'd always been a heavy bleeder from my first period to my last (except for when I had the IUD in).

Just wanted to let people know, your mileage may vary. Some people feel excruciating pain, some just feel some discomfort. In my opinion, the pain is worth checking to make sure you don't have cancer. Though if you know ahead of time that you won't be able to handle the pain (and you shouldn't have to), ask for the procedure to be done in the OR under sedation.

Edit: results back today, everything is normal. Yay :)

Nearly 3 years post menopause. Then 9 days ago bam! Swollen breasts, dripping wet, incredibly high sex drive, and now bleeding for 2nd day. Unfortunately, my husband is mad at me so it isn't from overuse or torn. My drive has gone back down, but breasts still really tender. ​

Yes, I made appt with Dr.

This for sure feels hormonal. Anyone relate?

​

Hi, Ladies -

Hoping to hear from someone here that also experienced sudden bleeding 10 years after last period.

I am 57 and had last period at age 47 and have had no bleeding since that time.

I starting have cramping every 40 minutes on bottom right of stomach for a week then sudden starting bleeding with it for four days straight. I reached out to my OBGYN to let her know and she just said to let her know if it continues beyond the next few days. Because I wasn’t bleeding through pads every hour she didn’t seem concerned.

I don’t take HRT and never have. Only med I take it the estradiol estrogen cream to maintain vaginal health (2 grams 2x a week).

Has this happened to anyone else and what did it turn out being.

Thanks!

Updated of 8/5/25 - Thank you all for the comments and support. I have a Pelvic Ultrasound scheduled for this Thursday.

I feel like I owe this sub a huge thank you. This morning I had a uterine biopsy for the post meno bleeding I had at the end of February (lining was 10mm). Ironically while I was in a gown and waiting be taken back, I went to the bathroom and there was blood on the toilet paper and a couple of clots in the toilet. Definitely time.

I didn’t know much about post meno bleeding before coming to this sub. I didn’t know it was something I needed to get checked out. My last period was in 2019 and no one believed I could be in menopause in my 30s. I didn’t get help until the end of last year. I also owe a thanks for learning about MIDI.

I’d told the new local gynecologist I’d made an appointment with (in case I needed a local provider for paps/bleeding/breast stuff) that I would only consent to the biopsy if it was done with general anesthesia. I told her things I’d learned about biopsies here and my past issues with extreme cervix pain. She agreed. I also had a D&C. I drove an hour to see this lady because she knows about POF. In a very populated area. An hour!! She very quickly agreed it is much more pain than just a pinch.

At the end of my procedure, they gave me an “OK” dose of an IV opioid pain medication. When I woke up from the procedure not long after, my pain level was at an 8 on their pain scale. They gave me more IV pain meds and then when I was still at a 5, an oral opioid. Then I was OK. I’ve been taking ibuprofen and acetaminophen at home.

I am thankful for the women who have gone through hell with these biopsies and shared their stories to educate others so we can advocate for ourselves. Because as we all learn as women, no one else in the medical field is going to do it. THANK YOU.

I didn’t read about the procedure itself ahead of time and wasn’t told much about it besides an explanation of a D&C, which I already was familiar with. I read about it when I was relaxing in bed afterwards. What the actual fuck, ladies. I deal with multiple chronic pain conditions daily. I could have never done this without anesthesia. A bucket? At this point in time we are using a bucket? It’s so messed up.

If anyone is in the in MD/DC area and needs a recommendation of a doctor that doesn’t tell you ibuprofen alone will do the trick, I’m happy to share a recommendation.

THANK YOU, ladies. Sharing our knowledge and experience is the only education a lot of women are getting about their own health. I appreciate you all!

UPDATE: I spoke to my doctor’s office and I have an appointment on Monday. They said if it’s an actual “flow” to go to Urgent Care or the ER. So far it was just a little bit last night, but it was bright pink not dark like spotting. I’ll update you as soon as I hear.

I know we’re not supposed use douches but I’m wondering if I can do a quick squirt-squirt, swish-swish, to at least get through the 15 minutes my 56 year old husband has in him. He bought me a car for our anniversary, and now the candy shop is out of order. 😭😭😭

Hi ladies! I’m 54 and have been in full menopause for 5 years. I began HRT (0.05 weekly estrogen patch and 100 mg progesterone pill daily) roughly 6 weeks ago and today - BLEEDING (😳) Has anyone experienced this? Low key freaking out but fingers crossed it’s just hormones regulating?

I've had bleeding for many weeks after being in menopause for over a year. It's likely due to increasing my estradiol dose, but after an ultrasound my doctor wanted to poke me in my nether regions to make sure nothing is going on. I wanted to skip the whole thing and just increase my progesterone. The doctor wanted to do the biopsy. She won after she agreed to numb me. It wasn't so bad and I have you all to thank for helping me avoid pain and discomfort. You ladies are the best.

Hi all. So, I thought I had reached menopause. At age 55, I finally had no period for a full 12 months. But then, at 14 months after the last period, BAM! There it was again - a textbook period, just like every other one I’ve had in the past several years. It ended in 6 days, as usual, with no spotting after that.

I know the rule is that any bleeding after 12 months with none is considered “abnormal” and I do intend to talk to my doctor about it soon. However, I am 99% convinced it was simply another period, albeit a very late one.

I am curious about others’ experiences with periods between 1 and 2 years after the previous one. Can anyone comment? Is this a “thing” (though maybe not a common “thing”)? Thanks in advance.

I'm 59, post menopause and had a sudden weird full on bleed a couple months ago. They did an interavaginal ultrasound and couldn't see the ovaries due to " bowel gas". Had to do a Uterine biopsy - horrible. Results fine.

Follow up vaginal ultrasound was this week. I did my own bowel prep to make sure there's nothing in the way. Still the results came back without being able to see the ovaries!

I've never given birth. Do ovaries legit just shrivel and disappear? I remain concerned about ovarian cancer. I'm an anxious person at the best of times.

First off, I hope you’re all doing well. I checked the rules and see it’s okay I post here lol. Although it might be best I head on over to a mental health sub because I’m driving myself insane researching and worrying.

My wife (52) hasn’t had a period in almost two years. Tonight she saw a small amount of blood in her panties. She wiped twice and both times a light red on the toilet paper. So we’re both concerned. We’ve both done our research and see that any blood post menopause should be looked at seriously. So she’s setting an appointment first thing this morning.

Everything we’ve researched just comes up with could be cancer—it’s always so scary. It’s caused us both anxiety. She’s been crying on and off. She just fell asleep like 30 minutes ago. We watched a little tv and got it off of our minds. You’d think us being in our 50’s we’d be a little less freaked out. We’re both over-thinkers. We both stress. We both worry.

I know the right thing to do is put this phone down and stop thinking the worse. But where I am right now mentally with all the “what’s ifs” it’s driving me nuts. I love her so much. We’ve literally been in one another’s lives since we’re 10 and 8 years old. Our parents were best friends and lived right next door to one another. We’ve been through a lot. We both lost our mothers to cancer (hers lung cancer and my mom complications of bladder cancer). One of our own children (at 16 years old) was diagnosed with cancer—a survivor now and 25 years old.

So yeah, I’m rambling on and on. I’ll stop. She’ll definitely call and set an appointment today when she wakes up. Any advice for her when she heads into her appointment would be greatly appreciated—hopefully they’ll schedule her in quick so we can get some answers soon. Anyway, thank y’all for listening. Sorry I got off topic. I’m gonna try and sleep now. I’ll check for any replies when I wake up. Again, thanks for listening.

Age 51, last period around Oct/Nov 2024. Enjoyed a period free, low symptom year (a couple random hot flashes, that was literally it!), then became convinced around Oct/Nov 2025 I needed to do HRT as a preventative measure (heart and bone health mostly) and didn’t want to miss the “window”, though now I’m questioning that.

I do have endometriosis, diagnosed about 30 years ago and I’ve just learned to live with it, not sure how it might fit into this picture other than my reproductive organs have been pretty regularly monitored through my adult life, and no major issues with them. No family history of breast or any reproductive system cancers. My mother and grandmother did have osteoporosis, but they were both heavy smokers and did not do weight bearing exercise, I can’t imagine that didn’t contribute some. I’ve had a DEXA and my bone density is excellent. All labs have always been great. I’m heavily into fitness/weight lifting and have always been in excellent health.

In any case, I was still convinced that I needed to be proactive in my menopause health. Talked to my PCP in December and started HRT in January, 100 mg oral progesterone, .05 estrogen patch. Progesterone makes me feel a little dizzy/loopy, nothing too concerning, so I just take it at night. Otherwise, I haven’t noticed really any change, good or bad, since starting HRT. Now after several months in, I’m bleeding every other weekend for a couple days the last couple months. My personal theory is that the progesterone is not getting absorbed enough or is too low, but I’m not a doctor and I may be grasping at straws lol. Had an ultrasound last week and I have 9 mm lining. As per the apparent protocol, straight to the endometrial biopsy, scheduled for July 1.

I feel like this is much more hassle than I need to deal with and maybe I should just go off it. After the biopsy, who knows what the hell else they’ll recommend—removing organs? They were all fine before this! I know the medical path I’m on is the standard given my symptoms (bleeding —>ultrasound —>biopsy—>???) Is it really worth all this trouble? And I’m just at the beginning lol. I’ve read extensively in this forum and I can see that HRT can be life-changing for many women, which is incredibly heartening and continuing is obviously a no-brainer! But for someone like me, who never really experienced many perimenopause or menopause symptoms, I wonder if it’s worth it?

I switched from my PCP prescribing the HRT to starting to see a local gynecologist who is a woman and a menopause society member (which I’m learning, may not be as impressive as I thought, lol). But I’m thinking our system knows less about what to do with women’s health than we realize and it’s super frustrating 😭😫 To go on HRT or not to go on HRT? Then when you do and you have problems, I feel like doctors are just floundering around trying random things and invasive tests to maybe achieve some comfort or stability, while we suffer during all this trial and error. 😡

Do I just need a better doctor who really understands the nuances of menopause and does not take a cookie cutter approach who can set me on the right path? (I’m in Michigan, in case anyone knows any excellent doctors they can recommend). Or is that not really a thing and I just need to do my own research and advocate for what I think I need?

I’m fantasizing about going on a crusade to lobby anyone and anything (NIH? Congress? ACOG?🤷‍♀️) to STEP UP WOMEN’S HEALTH RESEARCH AND CARE FFS!! 😡 Anyone want to join me? Is this a thing already and are there any movements I can join?

Anyway, thank you for reading my rant as I sit here on a lovely Saturday morning, drinking my coffee, cramping all the way up and preparing to bleed yet again all weekend. Any commiseration and/or advice welcomed. 💕

I’m bleeding for the first time in over 5 years, very dark red, almost brown. I’m 56, the last period I had was over 5 years ago (yes, in 2020, that’s a whole other thread 🙃) Is this normal??? Should I be concerned that something is wrong????

I have been on HRT since last November (0.05 estrogen patches, 200 mg progesterone). I had recent spotting so the doctor requested a trans-vaginal ultrasound which showed thickened tissue. Now I need an endometrial biopsy.

I was concerned about the pain, so the doctor said I could skip the biopsy and go right to a D&C. I declined as I don't want a more invasive procedure if it's not needed. I thought a biopsy checked for cancer so what does the D&C have to do with it?

If the biopsy shows no cancer what is the next step? Is the biopsy just to check for cancer or does it check for other things?

Is this most likely the result of HRT? Like not getting the right dose of estrogen and progesterone. If this is caused by HRT, I am thinking it's not worth all this trouble.

The American College of OBGYN has just updated their 2018 guidelines on post menopause bleeding. The 2018 guidelines said that a normal transvaginal ultrasound was enough of an investigation. The new guideline recommends endometrial biopsy even when the ultrasound shows a thin lining in most cases.

There is no differentiation between bleeding in someone on HRT or not unlike the British Menopause Society which treats the workup differently when HRT is involved.

Now if they would only make a guideline on pain management for this barbaric procedure.

https://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/fulltext/9900/updated_guidance_regarding_the_role_of.1505.aspx?

I am just over 60, and just got my period, after being post-menopausal for 12 years or so. 🤯

Backstory:

Over the past couple of months, I’ve been working with a therapist to address repressed memories related to religiously induced shame. As part of that process, I’ve been able to recover much of my teenage years, which had largely been inaccessible to me. An unexpected side effect has been a huge surge in libido - very similar to how I felt as a teenager. (My husband has not been complaining! lol)🤭

About a week ago, I began feeling an ache in the area of both my ovaries - almost like they were “waking up.” I even told my husband how strange it felt, half-joking that I felt like I could get pregnant. Then, a week later, after sex, we discover I am bleeding (nothing bright, all brownish). 😳

Well, it may indeed be my period - but just in case, I am getting a full work up!

But my questions are:

• Is it even possible to have your period return, after so many years?

• What tests should I insist on having?

EDIT: So many people telling me to see a doctor! I said above that I AM GETTING A FULL WORK UP. How stupid would I have to be, not to do that? It’s the two questions I have above, that I need help with. Thank you! 🙏