Could be fibroids.

Could be tissue thinning. That can cause spontaneous bleeding, but then again it could be the opposite, thickening of the endometrial lining and that calls for intervention. You are doing the right thing in going to the doctor. It never hurts to check. Do you have a family history of cancer?

Not this kind of cancer. My mom died of a smoking related cancer--she smoked A LOT. I am really just annoyed that we didn't do a biopsy right away in June--just the ultrasounds--that if it happened again we would do more testing. It seems like an insurance protocol.

It can be so many things besides cancer. I was several years post-menopausal when I started spotting. It was due to fibroids. I had a hysterectomy and it was resolved. I know it's easy to immediately think cancer, but it could be lots of other non-malignant things.

Just echoing the others...and sending a hug. I know what a worry this is.

A lot depends on how long ago you stopped having periods and your age. I started having periods again at age 68 after about 12 or so years without them. If your doctor did not send you to a gynecologist/gynecological surgeon depending on your insurance you should either ask for a referral of if allowed make a direct appointment. You will need to request that the ultrasound and other medical records be sent before the appointment. Depending on the problem that is found you may need to have a D&C. Hoping you are as lucky as I was and there was only a thickening of the lining along with a 2x1 cm polyp and three very small fibroids.

My gynecological surgeon did mention two things. I am supposed to have follow up ultrasounds for the rest of my life because of the endometriosis. The other which may not effect others that have this problem since I never had children I had a very hard mucus plug. If it can not be easily displaced you may have some additional pain. After the D&C I did have some spotting for several days. Because of risk of infection no tampons are to be used.

Good overview: https://www.webmd.com/menopause/guide/postmenopausal-bleeding

I had cancer when I was bleeding. go get checked

Go get checked out rather than trying to diagnose yourself based on others experiences. I scared myself silly a few times by researching symptoms I found alarming. Once you know the cause, you can decide how to proceed.

Just a side note. If you are sexually active make certain you are taking precautions since your hormones are in flux.

Bleeding, heavy spotting, or just a smudge now and again? the last is probably nothing to be concerned about (according to my gyne when it happened to me). I was many years post menopausal when that occurred. In the first year or two I did have occasional light spotting and no significant cause for it.

However, no one person has the same body or cause as another, so contact your MD as you so wisely plan to do.

Thank you everybody for jumping right in to alleviate my worries and offer support. I plan on calling my doc first thing Monday morning.

I agree with what's been said. Get checked. Fluctuating hormones and use birth control. Probably "not" cancer...just be sure....insist on a pap.

Just an FYI a pap only shows certain types of cancer cells from the cervix and it may not show what is going on within the uterus. My surgeon was very careful to explain this. https://www.dana-farber.org/endometrial-cancer/diagnosis/

It could be polyps. One good thing-the dr didn’t see anything alarming 2 months ago.

I had the same problem earlier this year. First I had pap test - came out ok. Then they did ultrasound - came out ok, did show thickening of uterine wall though. Next step was biopsy - that may be the same next step for you. Your bleeding could be from several things - but don't ignore it.

When I had similar symptoms, Anne, my doctor ordered a D&C after the obligatory ultrasound, probably the only way to see if there are abnormal, pre-cancerous, or cancerous cells. I was extremely grateful afterwards as she found pre-cancerous cells.

I opted for a full hysterectomy a few months later and have had no problems whatsoever.

I'm glad you're going to get it checked.

I suspect that my doctor is going to want to do an in-house biopsy first rather than a D & C. I remember this being part of the conversation back when I first discovered this issue in June and after the ultrasound. I'd rather skip to D & C (more conclusive/accurate) but I wonder if insurance makes you do the in-house biopsy first. Thank you again everyone for your concern and helpful thoughts/advice.

Ask your doctor if the biopsy will be from the inside of the uterus. If the doctor states it will not I would question the doctor about what the worth of it is. Then I would find another doctor because with bleeding your problem is in the uterus not with the cervix.

I second the statement on going directly to a OBGYN. I would not mess around with a family doctor. They will have better information and treatments since that is their type of specialty.

Annegriet - I recently had this exact same problem. My insurance had no problem going straight to a D&C, because yes it is much more conclusive.

The fact that the ultrasound didn't show any thickening is certainly a good sign too.

I went to a specialist when this happened to me 10 years in. I had three times of spotting a couple of days each time. And that was all she wrote. They found absolutely nothing anywhere. Haven't had any symptoms for 2 years.

Except for that my migraines kicked up a notch or 10. Hormonal? Who knows with me. They said I was within the norm for that too. Sigh.

They have not ever put me on HRT as I have no symptoms whatsoever from menopause.. .

They did not suggest that I take any birth control and I never even thought of that though. 60 years old seemed to be too old to even think of getting pregnant. How naive of me when I read further on it.

I have read some women's periods return when they start fasting. A few wanted to give up fasting (for weight loss) because they didn't want their periods back! I would sure be one of them but fortunately mine are gone for good.

I know I'd be scared in your situation as well. Glad you are getting checked out for your own peace of mind.

I had the same thing, went in and we decided to go to straight to the in-house biopsy. It turned out to be a simple irritation and a week of antibiotics took care of it. Next time, if I thought they’d do a biopsy, I’d take a Vicodin before the appt. It was pretty painful and she had to do it twice, ouch.

Good luck to you!

I had both, spotting on and off for a few years then really heavy bleeding which scared me. Gyn gave me testosterone pills to take for two weeks. She had run blood tests, did a pap and said my hormones were messed up.

I thought taking testosterone was weird but I took them. After two days the bleeding stopped and never came back. I stopped the pills immediately (as per her direction).

Could be your hormones.

What did your doctor say, Annegriet? I had several episodes over the post-menopausal years involving in-house biopsies and a D&C. All clear.

Unfortunately I couldn't get an appointment until Friday because she is away. I thought about trying to find another doctor but I suspect by the time they got my records and previous test results etc that I would be in the Friday ballpark if not later. So, in the meantime, I'm just trying to stay positive and taking lots of walks, drinking tea, and reading. You guys really are fab to check in with me.

Update: I am having D & C in two weeks. Thank you again for all of your support. I am working hard not to borrow trouble.

Good wishes on your D & C. As I think I posted above depending on what they find you may need to have additional ultrasounds periodically.

Remember most of the time it is nothing. Positive thoughts.

Sending positive thoughts your way as well! ((((((Annegriete))))))

I had the procedure. The test results came back negative for cancer and the doc said everything looked fine. The doc could not give me a definitive answer as to why this has happened but I am relieved and we are going to see how things go. Thank you everyone for sending me positive thoughts.

Yay! We like good news. I wish you'd had an answer, but hope you will continue to feel well and have nothing else taking place that concerns you. And, I'm sorry you had this worry, pleased you had it checked out.

Great to hear. If you have not already requested it ask for a copy of the biopsy report to keep for your records.

Edited to add that the way the various doctors offices consolidate and close in this area it is hard to know where to find old records. If you have a copy you will not have this problem.

I didn't even think to get a copy of the report. Good advice. Thank you.

Good news! It is almost always nothing. In my case that wasn't the case but I have done a lot of reading over the years. I was sure you would be fine but I am not a doctor. Aren't you relieved and with every reason to think so. Relief has to feel good. So glad.

Fantastic news!

Good news! There are lots of unexplained anomalies in our health and hopefully this is just one of them.