Today I went to my doctor because I am having severe bleeding.
The first thing they did is see when I had my last period, which was in March...then they asked me if I could be pregnant, which I guess I could be, but it is very unlikely. They tested me in May for pregnancy and it was neg...also, because of the menstrual like cramping I have, my doctor seemed to think it wasn't a pregnancy. She wanted to examine how heavy I am bleeding. She determined I was very seriously bleeding, which I already knew because my diva cup was measuring a 1/2 oz amount every .5-1 hr. She then took swabs of my edometrial lining and collected blood. She told me she was concerned about uterine cancer, though it's rare for someone my age (24) to have, but I'm not sure because my PCOS was untreated/ignored since I reached puberty around age 13 (I got my first period at age 11 I think though). She prescribed me with provera 2x daily for a week to stop the bleeding. She also gave me prescription motrin for pain and ordered a ton of bloodwork that got done today to check for pregnancy and anemia, and I have a follow up in a week to get an ultrasound and all that.
I'm scared...I know it is unlikely I may have uterine cancer, but how long does untreated pcos need to reak havoc on your uterus? Are there any other symptoms I should be looking for that would indicate I have something like this?
The word "cancer" is probably one of the most frightening words in the English vocabulary. Even if the test results eventually come back negative, it's still an awful feeling to be sitting and waiting for the results, imagining little pockets of poison growing inside you (at least, that's what I did...).
Uterine cancers are most common in women over 40, usually showing up post-menopause. Your doctor was on the ball though, and despite your age, recognized that it was a possibility, and has ordered the tests. As one of Kat's links states, most of the uncommon 5% of women who develope uterine cancers before menopause have PCOS. Young women without a diagnosis of PCOS presenting symptoms that could indicate uterine cancer may be undiagnosed with the cancer until it's well advanced.
I was 26, and after years of being brushed off by my doctors, I finally found one who would listen. I was lucky, since despite all of that time, I was still only pre-cancerous - my biopsy had >90% abnormal cells, but no evidence of cancer cells. I was treated, successfully. During that time, I had many conversations with my specialist. He told me that in most cases, uterine cancer does not spread, unless it's left completely untreated for a long period of time. For some reason, that reassured me.
Hang in there ovum. The most obvious symptom of uterine cancer is abnormal bleeding, which you have already identified. Try not to worry too much at this stage (I know...way easier said than done)...take care of yourself and pamper yourself a bit. Talk to your doctor about your options if the tests come back positive. That way you're not trying to absorb the results of the tests and deciding on the various options all at once. If you need a empathetic ear, there are many people here who have been through similiar scares.
Today I went to my doctor because I am having severe bleeding.
The first thing they did is see when I had my last period, which was in March...then they asked me if I could be pregnant, which I guess I could be, but it is very unlikely. They tested me in May for pregnancy and it was neg...also, because of the menstrual like cramping I have, my doctor seemed to think it wasn't a pregnancy. She wanted to examine how heavy I am bleeding. She determined I was very seriously bleeding, which I already knew because my diva cup was measuring a 1/2 oz amount every .5-1 hr. She then took swabs of my edometrial lining and collected blood. She told me she was concerned about uterine cancer, though it's rare for someone my age (24) to have, but I'm not sure because my PCOS was untreated/ignored since I reached puberty around age 13 (I got my first period at age 11 I think though). She prescribed me with provera 2x daily for a week to stop the bleeding. She also gave me prescription motrin for pain and ordered a ton of bloodwork that got done today to check for pregnancy and anemia, and I have a follow up in a week to get an ultrasound and all that.
I'm scared...I know it is unlikely I may have uterine cancer, but how long does untreated pcos need to reak havoc on your uterus? Are there any other symptoms I should be looking for that would indicate I have something like this?
Please don't be stressed out. Doctors always lay the "C" word on patients when they have no idea what's going on. I know that sounds unprofessional, but I've learned a lot about the medical profession and this is one of their tricks to keep you on your toes.
It sounds like your body is catching up with itself and that's why your flow is so heavy. That can be dangerous since bleeding like that will make you weak and lethargic after awhile.
Some women go their whole lives with PCOS and never know they have it. They conceive children naturally so I don't believe PCOS can wreak havoc on your uterus like that.
Honestly the chances of you actually having cancer if it doesn't run in your family is low.
Just relax and wait for the lab results. That's all you can do at this point. I'm wishing you luck!
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ToGeThEr SiNcE: 10/10/2009
-Diagnosed with PCOS on May 29, 2009 -Diagnosed as possibly pre-diabetic on July 31, 2009
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Last edited by Tina Castle; 06-28-2009 at 01:02 AM.
Some years ago, after missing a few periods, I have extremely heavy bleeding to the extent that I went to the emergency room. The gyno suggested it could have been because of the long delay in between periods.
Take Tina's advice, dont stress, just wait for the results.
uterine cancer? and other PCOS complications 
