Vaginal Bleeding

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Red Sox Fan
Red Sox Fan Member Posts: 9 Member
in Anal Cancer #1

SO, I'm five years post treatment and I've recently noticed some vaginal bleeding in addition to the fairly regular rectal bleeding.  Has anyone else experienced this.  I haven't been to the gynecoligist in a couple of years, because she was unable to do any kind of internal exam due to the mess that radiation left.  The blood is the same very bright red that is supposedly not too concerning.

 

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  • mp327
    mp327 Member Posts: 4,440 Member
    #2
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    The sudden onset of vaginal bleeding needs to be evaluated, IMO.  That said, I can understand your predicament with the radiation damage left behind.  I believe that just as the lining of the intestines thins due to the radiation, the same can happen to the vaginal walls, which could cause bleeding.  However, without examination, it should not be assumed that this is the case.  I would definitely make an appointment with a gynecologist if I were experiencing this.  I just saw my gyno a few weeks ago for my yearly exam and she asked me if I ever had vaginal bleeding.  I told her yes, occasionally with the use of the dilator.  Her response was that that was normal, but any vaginal bleeding that is not caused by dilator use would not be.  I hope you'll have it checked out.

    Martha

  • nonichol
    nonichol Member Posts: 170
    #3
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    You cN be sedated for ex as I

    You cN be sedated for ex as I was in January

  • Ouch_Ouch_Ouch
    Ouch_Ouch_Ouch Member Posts: 508 Member
    #4
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    Gynecological oncologist.

    If you haven't yet had an exam, please do so. Many people with anal cancer have human papilloma virus (HPV). Many women with anal HPV also have vaginal HPV, too. If that's the case for you, it needs to be followed up regularly as it is the main cause of vaginal/ cervical/ labial cancer, too.

    I went to a female gynecologist for my 1st post-treatment exam. It was so painful that I was completely unable to cooperate. She kept telling me to "relax so it wouldn't hurt"! Relaxation had nothng to do with it. She obviously didn't know what she was doing with an irradiated patient.

    My kind radiation oncologist recommended that I see a gynecological oncologist. They treat "cancer of the lady parts" and therefore have lots of experience with pelvic radiation and it's aftermath. I have to drive an hour and a half each way, but it's worth it. The MD I see is a very big, tall man, but is extremely gentle. With the use of Vagifem and dilators, I have improved greatly. (He also used a small-sized speculem on me when I first went to him - much better!)

    If you have a bigger problem, with scarring, fistula, or whatever, you really need a specialist like this. If you happen to live in the Hudson River Valley, consider the "Women's Cancer Care Associates", offices in Poughkeepsie and Albany. I see Dr. McElrath, but the others are likewise good, too, I'm told. http://www.womenscancer.net/

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