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Bleeding 12 years after hysterectomy
What could be the possible reasons for vaginal bleeding when a woman has not had her uterus or cervix for nearly 12 years? In 1994, I had a total hysterectomy (removal of my uterus, cervix, & one ovary). My cervix was removed because of pre-cancerous tissues. I began experiencing a vaginal discharge in Nov. 2005 after recommencing sexual relations after abstaining for six years. Also in Nov. 2005 I noticed old blood coming from the vaginal area (it was brown) and a slight smell. I thought maybe the sex was too hard. I was checked in December 2005 by my general practitioner for STDs and HIV. All the rest results came back normal and/or negative. The smell and discharge decreased; almost faded totally away. But now in January 2006, although I have not had intercourse since November 2005, I began smelling the smell again and the discharge has increased. It has changed in its look and consistency. It has been white, milky, but lately it has been somewhat watery. Recently I had a rush discharge where I had to run to the restroom. There was blood on my dress. The blood is pink. I went to my primary care physician who said I had a bladder infection because she thought I was bleeding from my urine are and she prescribed an antibiotic. She did not do a pap smear. I went to a different doctor later that day and she did a pap smear. She confirmed that I was actually bleeding from the vaginal area, more specifcally I believe she said from my vaginal cuff. I am nervously and anxiously awaiting the results. What are possibilities?
I'm not sure if this will help anyone on here but it might since most of the comments are questions without answers. My mom has had the same problem as everyone else on here. Her doctor said it could possibly be from here varicose veins going up into her vagina. This could be the answer to anyone on here who has varicose veins and experiencing bleeding after their hysterectomy.
Just wanted to come back and post again after having seen my doctor. I was correct in my guess - he diagnosed my problem as "vaginal atrophy." He said it doesn't happen to all women, but to some as their body is gradually depleted of female hormones. He said I needed to immediately start taking my natural (bioidentical) hormones which are made from plants and herbs and wrote a prescription for a vaginal cream to use for possibly 2 months. He said without hormones, the lining of my vagina instead of the normal being like leather but elastic, the lining has now atrophied and thinned to be like skin, nonelastic and will react to trauma (manipulation or intercourse) like skin might (bleeding because so thin). Ladies, please go see your doctor if you have any of the problems listed here or on any of the other posts above. My doctor said if I did nothing about this problem that my vagina would eventually completely atrophy and I would not have one at all - it would simply close up. I am 58 and not ready for that to happen, so GO SEE YOUR DOCTOR!! Hopefully, your answer from your doctor will be that it is treatable. Good luck to you all.
I had a complete hysterectomy in Dec. 2002. For several months now, I've noticed slight bleeding after sex and during sex it feels very full (like pressure inside). There is never any blood on my panties but just inside and after finger stimulation by my husband. I am so grateful for all the women who have posted here. The "vaginal atrophy" idea seems to make sense and I also have been of my "herbal" hormones for about 7 months (which I took for many years after the hysterectomy). Will order those and start taking them again and see if that helps. Probably will make a visit to my MD to just check it out. I will come back and let you know.
Just a suggest....a urologist may not have the answers you need. Have you tried a gynechologist?
Are you okay?
I'm confused - does endametriosit (sorry spelling) only happen if you have a uterus? I'll do some internet research on that I guess. I came upon this site by accident also, because my mom, who had a hysterectomy over 30 years ago is now having vaginal bleeding. Her doctor recommended a colonoscopy (which she is having next Thursday). I'm sure the colonoscopy wouldn't hurt and obviously can rule out anything that might be happening in that entire region but I don't see how this could give us any information on why the bleeding is coming from the vaginal area.
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