Post Menopausal Cramping (Page 1)

Try not to worry. I know it's easy to say. You are insisting on ultrasound, that is a good start. How about the CA125 blood test? Good luck.

What's a CA125. 10 years pot menopausal and last 2 weeks cramping (not uteral, more ovary area), getting worse lately so curious about what CA 125 is. Thanks.

What's a CA125. 10 years pot menopausal and last 2 weeks cramping (not uteral, more ovary area), getting worse lately so curious about what CA 125 is. Thanks.

I often have abdominal cramping, and it reminds me of the feeling I had when ovulating. I also have times when I feel very hormonal. I can't remember where I read it, but I did read that it's normal. It happens a lot.

Yes, I had an ultra sound last year, and was told my fibroids had returned. I had a myomectomy in 1989. However, I am now 63 years old and I am still feeling the same fullness and pressure I had when I was menastrating. The discomfort is constant in my left ovary area. Of course, I am concerned abourt ovanian cancer. Because I do have some of the symptoms, bloating, indigestion, and pain in pelvic area.

Yes, I had an ultra sound last year, and was told my fibroids had returned. I had a myomectomy in 1989. However, I am now 63 years old and I am still feeling the same fullness and pressure I had when I was menastrating. The discomfort is constant in my left ovary area. Of course, I am concerned abourt ovanian cancer. Because I do have some of the symptoms, bloating, indigestion, and pain in pelvic area.

Iam 52 and have not had a period in about 2 to 3 years, i had one time there was one tiny spot of blood and so i went to the dr and had numerous tests, the only test i refused was the emb biopsy, the rude dr wanted to perform it right then and there in her office, i declined and told her i would re-schedule at a later time, but did do the internal ultrasound, blood work, etc, and no sign of anything wrong...when i got home from the initial visit i educated myself on the emb ( endometrial biopsy procedure) and was horrified that my dr would even consider being so negligent.
although about 3% of women i researched did not have extreme pain with the procedure, the remaining 97% said it was so awful , it was as bad or worse than childbirth!

it has now been about a year and now iam experiencing cramping and sharp stabbing pains but i refuse to get all worked up , as i beleive the other poster who says it is not uncommon....iam sure if you have a lot of pain and it is all the time consistent then it could be very serious but as for me i think it is just normal and unless it gets much worse i will let it be.
please keep us updated, with a history of cancer in your fam i would at least keep current on all tests to make sure,
my ultrasound showed a super thin endo lining, and that is the opposite of signs of cancer so for now iam not worried.i will keep you in prayer and thought and you please keep us updated as to how your doing...

I am 47, had a tiny amount of slight spotting, also had not had a period in a 2 to 3 year period. The doctor performed an ultrasound and minutes later decided to do the endometrial biopsy in her office. Probably nothing, just to be safe. It was less than 20 seconds of pain, however I am happy that I did it because my pathology report came back uterine cancer. I was lucky that it was found while it was still a stage 1. I experienced no cramping or pain, only the couple of days of tiny spotting.

PS..Please don't misunderstand me when I said less than 20 seconds of pain, I think the dentist is painful, too. This is not like childbirth, painful. It's not fun, but it saved my life. We were not expecting these results, as I only had a tiny amount of spotting for a couple of days. If your doctor wants to do an endometrial biopsy, do it immediately.

I just had an endometrial biopsy done. I took 600 mg of Ibuprofen 2 hours ahead. The procedure was virtually painless with the exception of one small menstrual like cramp. This test has a 80-90% accuracy rate in detecting uterine/endometrial cancer. Ultrasounds can not rule out cancer, it only looks at the thickness and shape of the uterine lining for deviations from normal.

I'm a 49 year old women. I'm post meonopausal. I'm experiencing alot of hot flashes during the day and at night. But at night I also have been having stomaache aches that keep me up also. Has anyone experienced stomach aches?

I have just missed my tenth period so I''m in menopause. Have just started experiencing stomach cramps comes and goes mostly at night after being on my feet and ony afew days a month almost like when I was ovulating during my periods. i have hot flashes and night sweats, anxiety , bloating awful what helps me is exercise and have also been trying soybeans with supper. Also estroven over the counter seems to help. There are so many symptoms of menopause when you read you feel better that you know they are normal

Will an ob/gyn please respond to these concerns? I''m 62 and about 7 yrs. post menopausal. I am suffering from cramping that feels exactly as if I''m going to be starting my period. Should I be worried?

I have the same symptoms as almost all of you. 54 and have not had a period for I guess 8-9 years. XMas of 2008 woke up and thought I was going to start my period. Same symptoms and the taste in the mouth. Got used to it and it want away probably a month or two later. Had regular pap and doc said inside feels fine. Just started to flair up about a week ago. Seems Kegal exercises help. Doc said everything in place inside. No spotting etc. Just feels like I am going to start! Help!!!! Seems this is kind of normal. Any Doc have the answers????

i'm doing the exact same thing. i noticed a weird taste in my mouth last night..i had endometreous for years before menopause now, cramping like i'm starting my period...going for a pap tomorrow and i'm a little worried

i am so glad you said that about the taste in your mouth ME TOO. thank goodness i found this site. i really thought i was going crazy- is anyone having bladder symptoms also

I have a UTI that started Friday and I am taking D-Mannose. The cramps started that. They are mild, like when period just starting, not continuous. post meno 2 years.

I am 56 and 2 years post my last menstrual bleed. I suddenly had a 5 day bleed at the end of April accompanied by 'period pain cramps'. The bleeding stopped but the pain has persisted - I get it everyday. Some days are OK, some are quite bad. I'm mostly Ok in the morning and it comes on with activity during the day and can be quite bad in the evening. It always settles down at night and doesn't bother me when sleeping. I've been thoroughly checked out by a gynecologist, had a hysteroscopy - absolutely nothing wrong and have now been discharged with a recommendation to have bladder/bowel checked. The thing is - I KNOW it's period pain, there's nothing wrong with my bladder or bowel. It's reassuring to read all your comments because I'm beginning to believe that this is normal post menopause and I just have to deal with it. Will go to a homeopath to see if I can get something to help. The annoying thing is that the gynecologist doesn't seem to know that this is happening to many women. If he had known this he could have reassured me instead of just discharging me without any kind of explanation.

Will post another message if homeopathy works. Keep smiling and I guess the message for those of you scared about cancer is that this seems fairly normal and does not necessarily mean that there's anything serious wrong.

Thank you so much for your post. Im 55 and started menopause when I was 51. I havent had a period for four years but the other week I started getting period cramps and a small amount of bleeding, breast and nipple pain. God, I felt like a teenager all over again. Ive had a pap smear and am just waiting for the results. Ive been really scared but your post has made me feel so much better. Thanks again

Thank you so much for your post. Im 55 and started menopause when I was 51. I havent had a period for four years but the other week I started getting period cramps and a small amount of bleeding, breast and nipple pain. God, I felt like a teenager all over again. Ive had a pap smear and am just waiting for the results. Ive been really scared but your post has made me feel so much better. Thanks again

I often have the same symptoms and my mom, too, had ovarian cancer and her sisters had breast and uterine. So I worry as well. I have gone in to the dr numerous times complaining of cramps and after being checked out and all is ok, you get a little gun shy about going in. I just rescheduled my ultrashound for earlier as I am experiencing some discomfort of late. It seems to come for a few weeks and then goes away for a while. My dr has thought it could be intestinal and it does mimic some IBS symptoms. All I know is that it affects the quality of my life sometimes. I have talked with my dr about a hysterectomy and she advised having the ovaries out instead as it's less invasive and quicker recovery. All we can do is be diligent about our health....so regular check ups and the CA 125, and ultrasound together should be helpful. Good luck!

@mayann's post. I had an endometrial biopsy in the office without any prior knowledge that I was going to have it. I had no periods for 12 months and then 2 in a row and then about 7 weeks later THOUGHT I was going to start my period was having cramps, slight bleeding started on and off mostly brown then one day of red then back to brown spotting for two weeks. Called gyn and went in. This is definitely one of the signs for uterine cancer so she wanted to do a biopsy and of course I allowed her to. it was NOT painful as you describe (noting you did not have it yourself) it was uncomfortable for about 30 seconds..like some pap smears I have had before. I just don't want women scared off by misinformation and NOT having a test that could save their lives! I will know on Thursday whether or not the results are positive but I would do it again and if asked would tell any woman absolutely to have it done. And I have a tilted uterus so it is hard for anyone to get through my cervix in any cicumstance. Do some deep breathing and focus on something else for a few minutes. It is SO NOT like having a baby, that is absurd.

I as well have had 2 endo biopsies done. It hurts for less that a minute and early detection can save lives. I am 53. Had my last period 1.5 years ago. Last month I had all the symptoms of being pregnant so naturally I was Baffled and scared to death. I was told there was no way I could be pregnant. I then proceeded to get a "Period" Not a normal one by my standards but bright red blood for 9-10 days. Heavy for about 4 days spotting the rest. We to Dr. Did the biopsy. Everything came out ok. Was put on progesterone. Then low and behold 30 days later. More bleeding and cramping. I am told my estrogen level is 24 so it can't be a period??? Dr says she thinks I should get a hysterectomy. I am thinking that may be a bit severe. Still spotting after the 10th day. Anyone with any advise or similar story???

I am 54. I was free of my period for 2 years and had it only once a year for 2 years before that. 14 months ago I had it again and when I asked the Dr. about it she decided to send me for tests. I had an ultrasound. I didn't feel up to having the trans-vaginal ultrasound that was recommended. They found that the lining of my uterus was thick but otherwise it looked fine. I had the biopsy also and did find it VERY uncomfortable. I think they should find a way of opening the cervix gradually or freezing it or something. Anyway, the tests all came back negative. Today, I do have cramps that feel like I am ovulating and have had many times over these past few years. I would describe it as a dry period. Quite uncomfortable sometimes requiring a heating pad and pain killers. Thank-you for sharing everyone. I feel better knowing that my symptoms are not unusual. I also would like to say that I have had very little problem with other symptoms such as hot flashes and problem sleeping. I believe that it is due to my getting regular exercise. I swim 45-60 per day before I go to work. It is one of the best things I do for myself. Be well.

I am experiencing the cramp systems described above in spite of a very good hormone therapy I have been on for 5 years --oestrogel and duphaston (dydrogesteron) I sailed through menopause with no hot flashes and wouldn't even know except for my blood tests which say I'm done, but now on the week I don't take them, the cramping gets worse (like a period) and off and on the rest of the month too. Does the body still think its having a period?

@latanak while you are certainly entitled to your "OPINION" that is exactly and only what your comment contains!!!!!!!!
fyi... there are many dr's that will not even perform an emb procedure without sedation, the statistics for women who experience unbearable pain outweighs the ones who do not by 97%!!! leaving 3% unsedated that can bear the pain!
i do agree that no woman should resist having and emb procedure if it is needed, but what they should do is find a physician that sedates for the procedure,
Good for you that your exp was not horrific, and for the majority of the women that it was horrific i will continue to speak out and inform others accordingly!
this procedure is can be and most often is unbearable and comparable to childbirth pain, many times referred do to by many as " much worse than childbirth pain" for those that do not exp the later is the exception!
thank you to those of you who comfirm and validate the truth as i have openly stated here.
Have a happy day;)

I am curious, did you have this procedure done and are you speaking from experience about the pain or do you know someone who has had this procedure done and found it extremely painful? Because from what I have read that you wrote, you haven't actually had this procedure done as of yet. Hence, why are you defending your opinion without any support either by your personel experience, or a close friend's personal experience. Therefore, I must agree with the ladies that have had it done as I have had this procedure done too and did not find it painful. It only last's for 30seconds and poof it's all over. Child birth lasts for hours ...think about it and I can't talk about child birth pain because I have never had a child.
Good Night Dear

I am 52 years old and have gone almost a whole year without periods. I spotted a few months ago and my doctor recommend a pap and internal ultrasound. My pap was abnormal and so I was sent to a GYN for follow up. I stupidly agreed to have two biopsies performed in her office and was told that it was nothing and would just be a pinch that lasted for a couple of seconds. I think this is the biggest lie I have ever been told. First of all the vinegar that is used before the procedure is very irritating and burns a lot. After she took the clippings I was in horrible pain with cramping. They left the room and told me to put on a pad and get dressed and they would give me a call with my results. I thought I was going to throw up and burst into emotional tears the minute they left me alone. I refer to this experience as something that should have happened in the dark ages not in 2011. I could not sit for a couple days due to the swelling of my urethra from the vinegar. Also had a lot of discharge and some bleeding. I cannot believe that they actually perform these procedures without giving you some kind of pain medication or at least have you take something orally 45 minutes before having it done. Everyone is different but, I think the young nurse that told me it was nothing had probably never had the procedure herself and I doubt the "Butcher" who performed the procedure on me has never had it either. My results did not reveal anything different than what the pap smear showed. I think that when you have insurance it is just another way for the doctors to make extra money. My doctors office called three months later and wanted to recheck again. I don't think so. I read the previous posts and wanted to share my experience. I think if your paps show that you are in mild or syn1 you should never have this done.

I had a "punch test" as my GYN referred to it many years ago, in a quest during infertility treatment. I drove an 1.5 hours to a fertility specialist. My GYN didn't warn me about pain etc. It was SO painful (for a BRIEF) few seconds. And he did TWO. I was shocked at the pain! I screamed on the table out of shock and pain. When it was over, I got dressed and was checking out and almost fainted! I was in tears in the parking lot swearing this was the end of the treatments to my husband on the phone (and it was). I had to wait nearly an hour before I felt good enough to drive home. Perhaps some body's tolerance to pain is different. I hadn't taken anything beforehand either.

Having said that, I wouldn't stop having it done again if I thought I had anything serious. It was manageable and something we can handle for our health's sake! Just need to be prepared, take something prior and DON'T go yourself, just incase.

Have had the cramping, no spotting for couple of years. Have been thru 2 ultra sounds (internal & external), biopsies....everything shows normal...only slighly enlarged uterus. My GYN Dr. said as we age the uterus gets spongy and can enlarge for no reason. Will just keep rechecking every 6 months. I feel like I'm waiting for the shoe to drop, but seems it's not that unusual.

Have had the cramping, no spotting for couple of years. Have been thru 2 ultra sounds (internal & external), biopsies....everything shows normal...only slighly enlarged uterus. My GYN Dr. said as we age the uterus gets spongy and can enlarge for no reason. Will just keep rechecking every 6 months. I feel like I'm waiting for the shoe to drop, but seems it's not that unusual.

Have had the cramping, no spotting for couple of years. Have been thru 2 ultra sounds (internal & external), biopsies....everything shows normal...only slighly enlarged uterus. My GYN Dr. said as we age the uterus gets spongy and can enlarge for no reason. Will just keep rechecking every 6 months. I feel like I'm waiting for the shoe to drop, but seems it's not that unusual.

I am experiencing some cramping.. on my right side.. like what used to be felt when having a period. I am going to be 46 years old and have been in menopause for a little over 5 years now.. After my second child was born, it just never came back. I was having some financial stressful issues a couple of months ago and experienced spotting... strange after not having a period for 5 + years.. today I'm having cramps.. and NO I cannot go see a doctor.. cannot go to a hospital.. I cant because I have no health insurance. so if I'm sick and have some type of cancer.. it's going to do what it does to me as I cannot barely afford to put food on the table and gas in the car for my husband to get to work. I have a 7 and 6 year old and I am in menopause, get the hot flashes but I have to just deal with it. I have no medical insurance and therefore, I do not get to schedule any appointments.. it's about equivalent to not counting or mattering, in my situation. That's MY life. It's not so much a matter of being scared as some have described their mothers being.. for me it's financial.. I flat out cannot afford to take care of my health needs.. so they go unattended and that's pretty much that! If the cost to take care of yourself wasn't so unreasonable or was at least affordable in my personal situation, I'd not feel so deprived as I truly am. Menopause is supposed to be a time in a woman's life that she is able to take care of herself.. and, well, I'm 100% the exception to that rule.. as life dictates..

I just saw your post today. I have been fortunate enough to have had insurance for most of my life, but there are ways for you to get the care you need. My brother was diagnosed with colon cancer a few years ago, and was able to receive full treatment for his disease and is now a survivor due to Medicaid and other funding available to him at Hartford Hospital. He was only in his early 40s and just happened to be between jobs, but had been insured for most of his life. If universal healthcare is implemented properly (which will be a challenge for our gov't) it will address this very issue -- people who pay for insurance most of their lives only to be without it when they need it most. Also, there are women's clinics in many urban areas that might at least provide the basic testing that can help determine whether you have a serious condition or not. Please investigate all of your options before you assume you do not have access to potentially life-saving care.

I am experiencing some cramping.. on my right side.. like what used to be felt when having a period. I am going to be 46 years old and have been in menopause for a little over 5 years now.. After my second child was born, it just never came back. I was having some financial stressful issues a couple of months ago and experienced spotting... strange after not having a period for 5 + years.. today I'm having cramps.. and NO I cannot go see a doctor.. cannot go to a hospital.. I cant because I have no health insurance. so if I'm sick and have some type of cancer.. it's going to do what it does to me as I cannot barely afford to put food on the table and gas in the car for my husband to get to work. I have a 7 and 6 year old and I am in menopause, get the hot flashes but I have to just deal with it. I have no medical insurance and therefore, I do not get to schedule any appointments.. it's about equivalent to not counting or mattering, in my situation. That's MY life. It's not so much a matter of being scared as some have described their mothers being.. for me it's financial.. I flat out cannot afford to take care of my health needs.. so they go unattended and that's pretty much that!

Oh ladies so good to hear I am not alone! I thought it was all over (I'm 57) - no periods for well over 12 months - no significant symptoms (but I have suffered badly in the past) and low and behold, I get a slight period and the cramping has started again! Had ultrasound and transvaginal too. My endometrium is too thick they tell me - dr wanted to do the biopsy in her rooms but I said no so I'm going to have it done through our hospital system (I live in NZ). I figure stress has contributed a lot to my symptoms - we live in Christchurch and have suffered 2 major earthquakes recently - so I'm also going to my naturopath for some help. Have been going to naturopaths for 30 years or so - never had HRT - only herbal medicines....Hopefully this is just a glitch so to speak!