SHOULD I HAVE A D&C? - Menopause Message Board

noodles886 · 12-25-2004, 11:46 AM

About 2 weeks ago, I had some postmenopausal bleeding. It lasted about 2-1/2 days and for the most part was very light. I went to my gyn. and he wants to do a D&C to find out the cause. Because I have a HUGE fibroid, he says he can't do an endometrial biopsy or ultrasound. He is not even sure he will be able to do the D&C because of the fibroid and size of my uterus (6-7 mo. pregnancy size). I had my annual PAP test and it came back normal. I asked if the bleeding could be a last surge of hormones and he thought based on my age (59) and when I last had my period (January 2001), he didn't think so. Around the same time, I went to my family doctor for a routine visit and asked him if he could order the FSH test for me. I am going for that on Monday. I have read that some women are not past menopause even after 4 years+ and I am curious about my hormone levels.

My gyn. is scaring me with the thought of endometrial cancer and is pushing me to schedule the D&C. I hate the thought of going under anesthesia (or even having an epidural) for a procedure which he might not be able to do anyway! He did tell me that it's a good sign that I haven't seen any more bleeding in 2 weeks. My gut feeling is that the bleeding was a fluke or perhaps even vaginal dryness or a vaginal sore that broke.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

percan · 12-25-2004, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noodles886

About 2 weeks ago, I had some postmenopausal bleeding. It lasted about 2-1/2 days and for the most part was very light. I went to my gyn. and he wants to do a D&C to find out the cause. Because I have a HUGE fibroid, he says he can't do an endometrial biopsy or ultrasound. He is not even sure he will be able to do the D&C because of the fibroid and size of my uterus (6-7 mo. pregnancy size). I had my annual PAP test and it came back normal. I asked if the bleeding could be a last surge of hormones and he thought based on my age (59) and when I last had my period (January 2001), he didn't think so. Around the same time, I went to my family doctor for a routine visit and asked him if he could order the FSH test for me. I am going for that on Monday. I have read that some women are not past menopause even after 4 years+ and I am curious about my hormone levels.

My gyn. is scaring me with the thought of endometrial cancer and is pushing me to schedule the D&C. I hate the thought of going under anesthesia (or even having an epidural) for a procedure which he might not be able to do anyway! He did tell me that it's a good sign that I haven't seen any more bleeding in 2 weeks. My gut feeling is that the bleeding was a fluke or perhaps even vaginal dryness or a vaginal sore that broke.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Noodles,

First let me say that I was in a somewhat similar situation, and was extremely reluctant to have the D&C as I had never had any surgery in my life - not even my tonsils out! I had a bleeding episode after one year of not having periods (and my bleeding was also light and short, but I'd have PMS symptoms prior so I was sure it was hormonal.) The doctor couldn't do an in-office biopsy because of a large cervical polyp. But after much thought I just decided it would be best to not take a chance. If it all turned out okay (and it did) I knew that having the surgery would put my mind at rest, otherwise I would always worry that the bleeding was an early warning sign that I neglected. Although I went thru alot of mental turmoil wondering whether it was the right thing to do, after it was over I was so glad I did it and was able to not worry anymore. The surgery was very simple - I had a general anesthetic, but because the surgery is so quick, and you're not under for very long, you really feel back to normal in 20 minutes. No woozy weird feeling after, which I was expecting. I was in recovery for a half-hour, then walked out of the hospital, went home and made lunch.

If you are really unsure what to do, you might also want to get a second opinion from another doctor.

Good luck and let us know how things turn out for you.

Percan

Nance77 · 12-27-2004, 04:00 PM

You should definitely get the D & C done, and they will also take a tissue sample for biopsy at that time...Most likely it is nothing, but any post menopausal bleeding should be checked out....You will feel much better having it done, then worrying if it is something or not...My mom had post menopausal bleeding and it turned out she had endometrial cancer...It is a very curable cancer, if it is found early, so I would get everything checked out just to make sure..

noodles886 · 12-27-2004, 05:22 PM

I agree with you, Nance, but problem is that gyn. isn't sure he can even do the D&C because I have a huge fibroid. He said if D&C doesn't work, he would want to do a hysterectomy to remove fibroid and also cancer, if it does exist. A hysterectomy was recommended a couple of years ago for fibroid removal but since it doesn't bother me at all, I've left it alone.

Nance77 · 12-28-2004, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noodles886

I agree with you, Nance, but problem is that gyn. isn't sure he can even do the D&C because I have a huge fibroid. He said if D&C doesn't work, he would want to do a hysterectomy to remove fibroid and also cancer, if it does exist. A hysterectomy was recommended a couple of years ago for fibroid removal but since it doesn't bother me at all, I've left it alone.

Hmm..I don't know, but I know my mom had a large fibroid also, and thats why her gyn couldnt do the endo biopsy in the office..So he did the D & C..At least he should be able to get some tissue for a biopsy, and see if the endo lining is thickened....Have u had an ultrasound done? I would think he could do something to check on this before going right to a hysterectomy if its not needed..Maybe you should get a 2nd opinion..It cant hurt...
Take Care