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[Ivy]

My menopause was 15 years ago. The next 7 years went by with no problems.

Then I started bleeding every day. This was fully investigated and they diagnosed extremely thin walled uterus with pin**** bleeding all over. I was prescribed topical estrogen. At first this worked. Then the bleeding started again. So they upped the dose. This pattern went on for about 2 years until it was clear topical estrogen was not enough to stop bleeding.

They then put me on estrogen only HRT. I was very fed up as I never wanted to be on HRT and in any case it was now 9 years post menopause.

After about another 2 years I found I was only bleeding every 4 or 5 days on the HRT.

Not good enough. But they seem to be out of ideas.

I am now 15 years post menopause and bleeding more often than when I had periods. I am very cross as I have to wear pads permanently as the bleeding is not consistent and can happen at any time.

I've been re-checked. Just confirmed what was already known.

I don't want to be wearing pads all the time. I don't want to bleed every few days. I don't want to have to be on HRT to reduce the bleeding (it doesn't even stop it).

What would you do if you were me?

[coldethyl]

Have they not suggested a hysterectomy ? I can imagine all this bleeding is very tiring and if HRT isn't stopping it, then I'd have thought surgery was next option to consider.
 

[Suzi Q]

Please go to the Doctors you dont need tovsuffer xxxxx

[Ivy]

Thanks for your replies.

The bleeding is (apparently) not sufficient to indicate a hysterectomy. It is quite light; not that this makes it any less annoying.

I am very unwell with chronic illnesses and operations are more of a big deal than they would be to others.

I am not against a hysterectomy and may eventually try to change their minds that it is not indicated, but at present my next operation pending is a hip replacement which is more urgent.

Suzi Q, I have been to doctors and specialists endlessly. They are not bothered. Of course, they don't have to live with it.

I am wondering what others in this situation do. I can't be the only person with virtually no estrogen.

[Hurdity]

Hi Ivy

Have you been on oestrogen only HRT for all this time ie the last 6 years? Also what dose/type of oestrogen are you taking? If you were put on oestrogen only HRT for 2 years then it's no wonder you were bleeding. Did they check your uterus lining at this point? It would sound more like a thickened endometrium causing sporadic bleeding. It would be unusual to be on oestrogen only HRT for  such a long time without progestogen even if you initially had an atrophic endometrium - unless you have some other condition which causes this? Also how old are you?

Also when you said you've been re-checked - when was the last time and what was the outcome ie how thick was your lining?

I am puzzled about all of this haven't come across this before on here.....Maybe I have misunderstood?

I can appreciate that constant and unpredictable bleeding is not ideal.

Hurdity x

[Ivy]

Hi Hurdity, thanks for your reply.

I've been on oestrogen only HRT for about 5 years now. Over that time I have seen two different consultants at different times, both giving the same opinion and writing to my GP prescribing oestrogen only HRT, and saying I can remain on the HRT permanently. Most recent exploration this last autumn - recent. 

The wall of my uterus is extremely thin. Nothing else was found, except pinpoint bleeding all over the wall by hysteroscopy.

I am on the lowest dose HRT - Kliovance. 1 mg. oestrogen. I did try stronger, Kilofem 2mg.. but it made no difference so I chose to go back to the lower dose. It does reduce the bleeding so it is not every day as it was before treatment which was awful. Also lightens bleeding a bit.

As I understand it, the theory is that the HRT would thicken the uterus wall, but as it remains extremely thin, the thickening effect must be minimal, just enough to improve things a bit.

I do not need progestogen.

As both consultants say same thing, I can't see any point consulting a third one!  But it annoys me they think this constant bleeding is ok. By the way, one man, one female consultant.

Oh, yes, I am 65. My menopause was aged 49-50.