Vaginal bleedin at 58

I am 58 years old and recently had vaginal bleeding. Not real heavy spotting mostly. I had this 6 years ago after menopause and my GYN was not concerned because my pap smear came back normally as it always does. This time when I had it I went to my gyn and she took biopsy’s for cervical and uterine cancer. I do have many fibroids and was wondering if they could be bleeding. I have had 8 miscarriages and an ectopic pregnancy when I was younger. Thought fibroids shrunk after menopause. Can you give some advice please. My gyn said if the tests come out normal she will have to clean out my uterus. Exactly what does that mean a D&C or by pill? Thank you Pat

Dear Pat-
Thank you for your email….fibroid tumors can shrink after menopause, but only if the women is not on any form of hormone replacement therapy. If you are taking ANY type of estrogen supplement, even natural forms, your fibroids will begin to grow again. Your bleeding is most probably due to your fibroids. We do not recommend women leaves these tumors untreated.
Many patients are told to “wait” for menopause..however this often ends up in major surgery when the women is much older and not as physically able to recover.
If your doctor is going to “clean out your uterus”-they are referring to a D&C. This will only mitigate the symptoms temporarily by removing the uterine lining…once it regenerates your symptoms will re-occur. I would advise removing the tumors.