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[DenLi]

Hello, new member, I  need some menopause advice please. Had an hysteroscopy on Friday as I had some bleeding. I’m 57 and my menopause is being treated with the mirena coil and Oestrogel (3 scoops a day). The hysteroscopy showed that the bleeding was caused by my coil moving down by my cervix so was not embedded where it should have been to balance the Oestrogel. As the Gynaecologist couldn’t move it (very ouch!!) I agreed to have it removed.  She also did a biopsy. She then explained that I now can’t use the gel either so my question is that surely it isn’t good to go cold turkey! No HRT at all? My next appt is in 6 weeks time for a scan as they couldn’t fit me in any sooner. I can’t contact my GP as they’re closed over the weekend and tomorrow. The gynaecologist said to see how I go and she’ll prescribe me a tablet should I need it when I next see her. (In 6 weeks time) Has anyone else had any experience like this? I’m worried about full on hot flushes and other menopause symptoms which I’ve kind of avoided up to now. Cramping and bleeding a bit after the procedure. Surely I should be weaned off the medication? Two of my sisters are on vagifem after working through the menopause without any HRT!
TIA

[CLKD]

I think one should wean off HRT, I would ring her for further advice.

We are all different.  I had flushes for a few weeks after my periods eventually stopped.  It was more like a glaze of sweat from the neck down to breast levels.  Do read the thread about vaginal atrophy, this can creep up a bit!  Presents as repeated urine infection-type symptoms  .

Hopefully someone on your regime will be along.

 

[DenLi]

Thank you. I was upped to 3 scoops of Oestrogel because of dryness. Hopefully will get some contact from my GP this week.

[CLKD]

Any particular dryness?   VA can be treated locally the sooner the better.

We use 'nivea' or a good hand cream, 'vaseline' suits DH and me. 

[Postmeno3]

It's my understanding that GSM, previously known as VA, once diagnosed, is for life and is unlikely to improve and become manageable without oestrogen products for topical use. There are pessaries and creams which you can experiment with to find the right fit for you, under close guidance and monitoring of your gp. Should a gp prove insufficiently knowledgeable, you can ask for a referral to an NHS specialist menopause clinic, but it is oestrogen you need if you are referring to dryness "down below". Good luck!

[Nas]

Don’t go cold turkey with your Hrt, else those symptoms may return but worse.

Once the coil is out, can’t you have another and then continue with the gel?

When is the coil coming out?

[Gnatty]

Or get some utrogestan pills to compensate the progesterone from the coil.

[sheila99]

Is she saying you can't have oestrogen because you will be without a coil for 6 weeks? Is your lining too thick now? I don't think this will do you any long term harm assuming normal thickness now, it's only an extra 2 weeks.
If your other meno symptoms are controlled it may be better to use localised oestrogen to treat the VA rather than increase systemic oestrogen. Hrt alone may not control it.

[DenLi]

Thanks everyone for replying. At the start of my appt for the hysteroscopy the Doctor asked why I had the coil at 57! Said that at 52 it should have been removed. During the hysteroscopy she said that the Coil was in the wrong place so it was taken out as she couldn’t move it. She did offer another which I declined as I was worried about the 18 months on 3 scoops of Oestrogel without the progesterone from the coil as where it had moved to was ineffectual. I panicked! Hopefully my own GP will contact me in the next few days.

[CLKD]

I would send an e-mail to Dr Currie to ask - there is a fee for advice.

Let us know how you get on.  Stopping any medication can have huge bounce back effects 

[Kathleen]

Hello DenLi and welcome to the forum.

I am amazed that your doctor suggested that you suddenly stop your Oestrogel and have nothing to replace it for six weeks. It makes me wonder if she really understands how hormone replacement works and why we have to use it every day.

If I were you I would definitely ask your GP about how you can deal with your meno symptoms while waiting for your next appointment. Perhaps he/she would be happy to prescribe a patch which contains both oestrogen and progesterone and is safely used by many women. I suggest you do a search on this site and consider the alternatives you would like to try just in case your meno symptoms ramp up within the next six weeks.

Take care and let us know how you get on.

K.

[DenLi]

Thank you. I will definitely see further.

[DenLi]

Good news! My GP just called me at 8.40pm so can’t fault that! She has put me back on the oestrogel, 2 scoops rather than 3, and a progesterone tablet that I will take at night to start tomorrow. I’m relieved really. She explained to me that the coil and Oestrogel were a very good way of controlling my menopause symptoms but that the tablet will be fine as well. She said that the Doctor who performed the hysteroscopy does not deal with the menopause! Panic over I hope. Thank you to all who replied.xx