A very respected acquaintance reached out to me recently on behalf of her sister. Her sister is in her mid-50s and more than a year out from her last period. Medically speaking, she has met the definition of being menopausal.

But then, she started bleeding again. On two occasions, she bled for a day and stopped. She told her doctor. That wonderful person ordered an ultrasound. And here’s where it goes left.  

One cause of post-menopausal bleeding is endometrial (uterine) cancer. One way we check for that is measuring the endometrial thickness – which is the inner lining of the uterus. If it is 4mm or more, then cancer is a possibility.  

Hers measured 4.1mm.  

But it was called normal on the report. Twice.  

I’m so glad my friend reached out to me. I told her in no uncertain terms what this result meant (it was *not* normal) and what needed to happen next. I was her safety net, because our system of womb health in this country is broken.  

In fact, we all have to be each other’s safety net. Postmenopausal bleeding does not automatically mean uterine cancer, just like having a breast lump does not automatically mean breast cancer. But it does need to be checked out, promptly.  

Reproductive health doesn’t end with babies.  

Uterine health doesn’t end with menopause.  

Let’s be our sister’s keeper.  

Love y’all,  

Kemi