Resolved question:
I am 47 and have not had a period for 1-1/2 years. I recently started having clear mucous vaginal discharge. I saw a nurse practitioner who took a sample and checked for infection. It was negative for any infection. I guess I'm concerned that it could be uterine cancer (because I Google too much) even though there is no blood present in the discharge. I was pretty dry for 7 months (I had this clear discharge in April, 2013) and my doctor told me to keep an eye on it - it eventually just went away after about 10-15 days. I had my annual GYN appt this past June, 2013 and everything was fine. For some reason I'm anxious about this and it's just a gross feeling. It has lasted for about 8 days. This is Saturday and I saw the nurse practitioner on Monday. She didn't suggest any follow up. She said to just let them know if I saw blood. Is vaginal discharge after menopause normal or ok?
I guess I'm hyper vigilant about my health since my dad died in June, 2012 of prostate cancer at 85 years of age. All at the same time I entered menopause. Great timing ugh.
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
OBGYN
Hello
Thanks for writing to us at DoctorSpring.com with your health concern.
Just a clear mucous vaginal discharge should NOT give you a scare for uterine cancer.
Is there any strongly positive family history of malignancies ?
As you have not had a period for 1 - 1.5 years, you are technically menopausal by definition.
After menopause, there could be some more common ( and less dangerous ! ) reasons for this discharge.
Firstly, due to hormone level fluctuations, you could be having a discharge as the hormones fluctuate.
Generally after menopause, hormone levels go down ( estrogen in particularly ) , making you prone to atrophic vaginitis ( dryness of the vagina leading to infection ) - however, infection has been ruled out in your case.
The other possibility is that this is just normal vaginal discharge, which might occur occasionally even after menopause - as it is non itchy, non odourous and not painful, infection seems least likely.
Uterine cancer would have a significant symptom of bleeding, as that is absent, cancer seems least likely, even if uterine cancer presents with just discharge, it would be foul smelling and dirty.
To have a reassurance, I think you should have a gynecological evaluation.
Have a thorough internal per speculum and per vaginum examination.
A pelvic ultrasound scan is a must to rule out uterine cancer, and other possible conditions. Also please get a Pap smear done.
Do not worry, as I do not think it is uterine cancer at all, but you need to be reassured and an annual gynec exam + Pap smear is a healthy routine for you.
All the best.
Please feel free to ask for further clarifications.
Thank you for your response and reassurance. I have had a pelvic exam and Pap smear within the past five months, so I think I'm ok. I will continue to have them annually as you suggested. I will not hesitate to ask for another exam if the discharge changes in presentation.
I'm a worrier by nature and need to learn to relax and not jump to the worst possible conclusion.
Thanks again for your time and input.
Hello
More cheers to you then.
Continue having them annually, unless the discharge changes in colour / odour / amount or you have other ominous signs such as pain in abdomen, actual bleeding, weight loss etc.
Do not hesitate to discuss any such issues with me too anytime you might wish to.
Uterine cancer is a really far fetched conclusion to jump at, keeping in mind that your only issue is mild normal vaginal discharge.
All the best, and wish you good health always.