Hello lovely ladies,
I have been reading so many of your posts the last several weeks that i've decided to bite the bullet and ask your advice please
I'm 41 and incidentally, after I caught Covid 3 months ago, my periods have been horrendous.
They went from a 7 day period (2 light, 2 heavy, 3 light), 23 day break to 10 day erratic (one day VERY heavy, with very large clots - having to sit on towels; next day no period; next day very light then back heavy again) - with a 14 day break
I went for a Transvaginal Ultrasound and they discovered 4 large fibroids, as follows:
Bulky anteverted uterus measuring 11.1 x 9.7 x 9.9cm with lobulated contour.
Fibroid 1 - Calcified INTRAMURAL lesion in POSTERIOR wall measuring 5.2 x 5.2 x 4.7cm
Fibroid 2 - SUBSEROSAL fundal lesion measuring 5.9 x 5.3 x 5.1cm
Fibroid 3 - INTRAMAURAL right-sided lesion measuring 5.1 x 4.5 x 3.9cm
Fibroid 4 - INTRAMURAL lesion in the ANTERIOR wall measuring 3.5 x 3.3 x 2.4cm.
Endometrium thickness was 5mm, and indented by a fibroid at the fundal end.
Normal ovaries. There are 2 simple cystic structures in the right adnexa adjacent to the ovary - the largest measuring 2.4cm. No sinister features or abnormal Doppler flow seen. These maybe Ovarian or Paraovarian in origin..
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Full Blood Test came back fine - other than low iron counts. Thyroid fine. Though still awaiting FSH, Oestrongen etc results (though these don't prove much i believe).
So i was referred to a Gynaecologist specialist (through Private Medical care via Employer). Explained everything to her and no surprise the Mirena coil was suggested. My best friend has had it 10 years and swears by it, and my neightbour/friend has it and works well for it. Yet i have read SO many experiences from other women regarding the body rejecting it, or it getting stuck so removal through emergency op, or causing severe acne/weight gain.
I have never ever wanted a coil - ever. When the Gynae mentioned it, my initial thoughts were - well, my friend and neighbour had positive experience so maybe its worth a try? But after i got home and ready up LOTS on it, i then thought 'hang on, i've never wanted a coil, so why am i considering it - just because i've read/received a handful of positive experiences?.
What i don't understand is - i have multiple fibroids/bulky Uterus - so why do i feel the hormonal route is a be all answer? It's merely masking the problem (fibroids) is it not? Why isn't the cause being addressed first (Fibroids)?
From looking at where the Fibroids are located - they are in the Uterus wall, so i don't think an operation is an option (i remember now the Gynae telling me that), so those surgical options of restricting their blood flow isn't an option as surgically, they wouldn't be able to get to them...
I have NEVER wanted children, still don't - and i'd be happy with a partial Hysterectomy. 100%. I've read SO many positive reviews from women who have had partial/full hysterectomies and i just want this option - but apparently i have to try hormonal routes first? Why?! Isn't it my choice? I dont want to go through months and months of stress and potential depression (I have Generalized Anxiety Disrorder and suffer small bouts of depression as it is) - only for it to eventually lead to the surgical route - which is what i want.
I used to be on the pill on and off for 20 years in my 20's and 30's (Microgynon, Cilest etc) and never had any problems with them, but suspect now they're not an option due to increased risk of blood clots? (I quit smoking 7 years ago).
There are so many hormonal routes other than the Minera coil, that i'm becoming anxious just reading all the different options/brand names.
Granted - i need a solution as my periods are ruining my sex life and impacting my holidays (just come back from one where i had to cancel a Zip Wire experience - because i started flooding
)
For the last 5 years, i haven't been on any contraceptive pill and my periods were fine (7 days, and the usual mix of light and ok heavy) - had moderate acne, but never addressed it to be honest). I've started dating and met someone a few months ago (finally had sex after 5 years, protected), but my periods are interfering with my sex life...
I just don't get it - if it's the Fibroids which are causing this (especially clotting), then why isn't that being addressed? Why is the coil being used as an option to plaster over the real issue (Fibroids). I don't doubt hormonally, it appears as though i have too much oestrogen and too little progesterone (cause of my moderate acne? Cause of heavy bleeding, or is that the Fibroids - i don't know
)
Is 5mm Uterus lining average or a little on the thick side? I've read some women have 9-11mm?!
Your help, support and advice would be really appreciated, as i'm scared and don't want to go through the hell of trying different hormones - especially when i'm dating someone and having a great time for the first time in 5 years..
Thanks so much everyone for taking the time to read this, i do appreciate it.
Emma x