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[Jari]

Hi Mintea, hope you are doing well. Here's an article which might be of interest. X

https://acessaprocedure.com/fibroids-after-50-why-they-dont-always-disappear/

[Mintea]

Thanks for posting the link Jari. I've stopped taking the hrt for around 5 days now and have started bleeding again but think this can be usual when coming off hrt? On the positive side I'm feeling a bit clearer mentally but am hoping the other symptoms dont come back!
I'm going to stay off it until I get the chance to discuss things further with a specialist.
Mintea x

[Jari]

That's ok Mintea.. I hope this starts to improve for you now..

I'm not sure how old you are, but, I had a bone scan last year, as I was interested to see about my bone health. It came back completely normal with slightly borderline osteopenia in spine, but they said it was completely normal re age etc. I will have one every 2 years to keep an eye on bone health.

Brisk walking is also very good for bone health and just off on my hour walk now..

Take care J x

[Jari]

Not me Birdy, no!

[Mintea]

Here you go, fibroids and HRT: https://www.menopausedoctor.co.uk/menopause/fibroids-and-the-menopause

Thanks Birdy

I must have missed that when I looked at the site. It's quite comprehensive and informative actually.

Mintea x

[Mintea]

Thanks to everyone who has replied. It's great to hear everyone's different experiences as really helpful to me in deciding what to do. Also thanks for all the links.
Mintea x

[Hurdity]

Thanks for posting the link Jari. I've stopped taking the hrt for around 5 days now and have started bleeding again but think this can be usual when coming off hrt? On the positive side I'm feeling a bit clearer mentally but am hoping the other symptoms dont come back!
I'm going to stay off it until I get the chance to discuss things further with a specialist.
Mintea x

Yoiu should not necessarily bleed after stopping HRT as there needs to be something causing the bleeding ie the womb lining or possibly the fibroids, so keep an eye on it and do not hesitate to ask for a referral if this continues?

Also to reiterate what Birdy has said - my experience (I know it's just one person) that my small fibroid ( less than 1 cm) actually shrunk on medium dose oestrogen so it really does not follow. The link Jari posted is actually misleading as it implies that fibroid increase is more likely when on HRT but not necessarily the case.

Here also is the information on this website - which says they may increase in 25 % of HRT users

"Fibroids   

    Fibroids are benign smooth muscle tumours of the uterine (womb) wall and are dependant on estrogen. They tend to shrink after the menopause but shrinkage may not occur, or they may even increase in size with HRT use. Increase is thought to occur in 25% of HRT users and mainly occurs in the first six months of therapy. There is some evidence that transdermal (patch or gel) but not tablet HRT nor tibolone may promote fibroid growth. [ref 24] Fibroid size can be monitored by regular examinations and sometimes by ultrasound scans. There is some evidence that the use of the progestogen releasing intra-uterine system, Mirena may cause fibroids to reduce in size. Mirena is often used in the perimenopause by women who have heavy periods and/or require contraception and can provide the progestogen part of their HRT. "

https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/atoz.php#GlossF

I do hope your bleeding stops and you find a way through this.

Hurdity x

[Mintea]

Many thanks Hurdity, great to have your input.

Mintea x

[KarineT]

Hello,  I was reading this post with interest and I have asked to see someone at a local clinic.  I am not sure if it's a gynaecologist as it says 'gynaecology' on the referral form.  I just have to  wait and see.  If there isn't anyone there who knows about menopause I will make a further request through my GP. Although it's not entirely related to this post, i just need a bit of advice from someone who took HRT and stopped.  If HRT is required because the symptoms are bad, what happens when you stop taking it?  If the symptoms recur, which I think they might, will they be there for the rest of your life?  I hope not.  I was under the impression that when menopause has come, I.e. after 12 months without a period the symptoms ease off then disappear.

[Hurdity]

KarineT How long is a piece of string? There have been many threads on exactly this topic on the forum though not sure how to find them as it is quite non-specific to search for!

Some women can experience symptoms for many many years. A survey a few years ago found that for some had flushes for 14 years. You would be one of the lucky ones if your symptoms stopped after the last period. For some women this is just when they ramp up and sometimes get worse approx two years after the last period when oestrogen has fallen approx to its lowest level. For some women, once they stop  HRT if this is well post-menopause, they can experience a resumption of symptoms for a short while and then they will ease off as the body gets used to being without oestrogen again.You don't know at the start whether you will be one of those whose symptoms will disappear quickly or go on for a long time.

Actually I've just remembered there was a recent thread here - but it's in the alternatives to HRT section so easily missed! https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,46929.0.html . I expect it gets controversial at times (haven't checked!) but these discussions often do!  .

Maybe start your own thread about this and give us an idea of where you are in menopause etc as that will have a bearing on your symptoms? Also why you are wanting to stop? Your post may well get lost in someone else's unrelated thread.

Also to add that even if symptoms like flushes and sweats disappear you will remain in an oestrogen deficient state for the rest of your life so will not be getting any of the health benefits from taking oestrogen ie to your heart and bones. If you are less than the average age of natural menopause of 51/52 then you are advised to continue with it anyway.

Hurdity x