Spotting in Menopause

[Stellaspice25]

I am 54 and have not had a period in 21 months.  A few days I started to spot. Only a few spots. Then it stopped. Then the same happened the following day. No more spotting since. I went to a doctor yesterday who did a quick ultrasound and confirmed I have no fibroids.  I had bloods taken to check my hormone levels (the results should be back in a few days and I have to see her again with those results).  She says biopsies to check for cancer are not needed at this stage and I should only have them if I spot again.  My question is, is it safe to not have biopsies now? Or should I insist on having them.  I don't have any history in my family of womb cancer/cervical cancer etc but we do have several occurrences of breast cancer and also one of pancreatic cancer.  Thank you in advance for your advices.

[old_before_my_time]

It's not all that unusual to have some post-meno bleeding or spotting especially in the early post-meno years. The ovaries continue to produce hormones our whole lives so it's not as if they "flip a switch" after our last period.

Thankfully, most of these bleeding episodes are nothing serious. Ovarian "surges", fibroids, polyps and even vaginal atrophy can all cause unexpected bleeding. An ultrasound is the standard first check to see if the lining is thick. A biopsy may then be done if it is.

I hope this helps ease your mind!

[Stellaspice25]

Thank you. Yes I understand that in most cases the cause is something reasonably 'non-urgent' ... my concern as I posted is that I am keen to rule out cancer and my doctor is saying 'wait' .... as early detection of cancer can make all the difference; is this sound advice to just 'wait' ?

[old_before_my_time]

I would want to know how thick the lining was.

[Stellaspice25]

Thank you. Yes I can see the sense in that. I'm not sure she even checked that. She was v quick with her scan and just said no fibroids.  I will ask her about that.