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[SwimyAlice]

Hi all,

I am 47 have been on 2 pumps oestrogen and 1 nightly utrogestan (and mornings I take progesterone only Cerelle for contraception) for 7 months now. Perimenpause symptoms got loads better after about 2 weeks of starting HRT (yay!).

My problems is the last 6 weeks I've been bleeding lightly every day often with sore boobs and occasional strong period cramps - often waking me up in the night - ibuprofen does help with the pain. I previously was on Cerelle POP so hadn't had a period for years although it's poss to know if I've naturally stopped periods - prob not - I think I'm perimenopause like my mum was at this age.

I was sent for a pelvic UltraSound and it's come back showing a small 26mm fibroid on one side (where I feel the pain more - in retrospect I have felt that occasionally over the last few years).
I am waiting to see a Gyny consultant (god knows how long that will be!) my GP didn't explain anything, just wrote the referral letter.

Has anyone else had similar? Could it be the fibroid causing the daily bleeding or an imbalance in the HRT?

I have seen written that oestrogen causes fibroid growth - so I'm wondering if future options might be come off HRT, reduce dose, put up with it, or have the fibroid removed.

Any similar experience or learned wisdoms gratefully received whilst I wait for an appt and keep burning through the panty liners! 

thanks, Alice

[Tulip123]

I am the same age as you and having similar problems. I have a scan booked for Monday. I have been having bleeding and period cramps almost every day. On the days I don't take progesterone, it is worse where the pain is severe. At the moment I'm just keeping a diary and taking co-codamol until my gynae appointment next week.

Have they booked you in to remove the fibroid?

[Bexs]

Hi SwimyAlice,

I am in a similar situation to you. I was on 4 pumps oestrogel and after struggling with utrogestan, Provera, etc all causing varying amounts of bleeding  I had a mirena coil fitted. Was great for 6 months with only occasional spotting. Then it went AWOL strings and all and I had a TVS. I knew I had a fibroid years ago but it was tiny. Now it is large 6cm x 6cm and squashing the mirena. They couldn't actually tell where the mirena was exactly. So I have had to go back on the POP and am waiting for a gynae referral. My doctor tried to expedite this due to my pain and bleeding and the hospital have deemed it "routine" so goodness knows when I will get an appointment. Doctor has prescribed Naproxen and omeprazole for pain but I find it doesn't work very often. Got another doctor's appointment the week after next although I don't really know what for as my doctor booked it so they want to see me.

I was exactly the same as you prior to going on hrt. POP for years and haven't had a period for 8 years so don't know where I am on the menopause journey??

I am trying to reduce my hrt hoping that it will help the pain and bleeding. But, am starting to wonder if I will have bleeding till the fibroid/mirena are removed?? I am wondering if the mirena is sticking in the fibroid and making it bleed??

One thing I did try as I didn't get on with utrogestan is to double dose the POP. My doctor prescribed this but it is not licensed for hrt so if you want to try this I would suggest talking with your doctor. You could try slowly reducing your Oestrogel and see how you cope and if it makes a difference. This is what I am doing at the moment. Although for me it hasn't made any difference yet.

I would be interested in other replies too as to whether people think it's the fibroid or an imbalance in hormones.

I hope you find something that helps you and that you get your gynae referral soon.

Take care,


Bexs.

[SwimyAlice]

Hi both, sorry for the late reply rest of life stuff! Anyway, sorry to hear of your problems Bexs and Tulip123.
I have bitten the bullet and found a private menopause clinic near me in Colchester and I'm booking today to speak to someone later this month - NHS gynae appt could be a year away and I'm still bleeding weekly - pains are less - no idea why but it's not right.
I will keep you posted whatever happens as all our threads on here really help others in a similar situation.
Let us know how you both get on of course!
Alice

[Bexs]

Hi SwimyAlice,

Hopefully you won't have too long to wait for gynae appointment. I had my first one last week. I was offered UAE or TA Hysterectomy ovaries may stay depending what they look like, to deal with my fibroid. I opted for TAH and signed the consent forms there and then. Consultant wants me to have Prostrap injections (maximum of 3) to hopefully shrink fibroid and make surgery easier, less blood loss, etc. I had my first injection straight away and they are going to send me an appointment for a pre-op so I am ready to go. If I get to 3 injections surgery will be sometime in January 2024. To be honest I can't wait as I have been bleeding and in pain daily since September.

I would keep on at your doctor/gynae. Maybe see if they can expedite your referral?

Let us know how you get on. Take care, Bexs.

[Nas]

Bexs, I’m glad you are getting sorted out finally. I’m having a TAH too and I can’t wait! Also sick of pain and bleeds.

Keep us posted!

[Hurdity]

Hi Swimy Alice

Sorry to hear about your weekly bleeding. It may be due to the fibroid as you say but it is outrageous that you are having to wait for a gynae appointment and having to have a private appointment!  This isn't like a menopause appointment to discuss HRT (which unfortunately one does have to wait for due to insufficient provision), but a clinical reason!!!! So they should be seeing you sooner rather than later.

Although you have booked a private menopause appointment, I would still contact your GP again and ask why you still haven't heard from the hospital, because if you are bleeding you do need to be seen re the fibroid or the bleeding as it's not just a simple matter of tweaking HRT, and abnormal bleeding should be investigated and treated properly sooner, rather than later.

At least the menopause consultant should be able to advise on the HRT eg you could take a contraceptive pill like QLAIRA which contains estradiol, same as the pump gel, and because there is more progestogen it may help reduce the fibroid and regulate the bleeding - but you need specialist advice about this....

All the best and let us know how you get on.

Hurdity x

[Bexs]

Hey Nas, how are you doing?

I have been a bit silent on here. Just couldn't face looking with my own things going on.

Do you know when you hysterectomy will be? Have you signed forms or had a pre-op yet? Did they offer you Prostap? It does have some horror stories but the only side effects I have had are dizziness, hot flushes (got them anyway)! 😂 and a few splitting headaches. I have found over the last week since I have had it it is really helped with the pain and I think my bleeding is trying to stop! Although I have probably jinxed myself by saying that now! Maybe worth asking for if it helps you as you have really suffered with pain and bleeding. Something to maybe help you get to your surgery easier?

Hope you have a date soon. Take care, Bexs.

[Nas]

Hey Bexs,
Yes I totally understand why you would not want to come on here, with your own issues being so bothersome for you.
I am glad you are having the hysterectomy though, I have come to the conclusion that it is best to have everything out (unless you are planninng on having more children or want to preserve the ovaries). How do you feel in yourself now? A bit more relieved?

As for me, well it has been a bit of a nightmare. I won't bore you with all the details, but the fibroid they discovered back in September last year, has grown significantly (as they can do) and is pushing against my spine and bowel. I had an MRI in September and they aren't satisfied that it is a benign growth. They feel that the cells have changed over time (well they would have known that if it had been monitored, but never mind!). So, cut a long story short, a referral was made to The Christie Hospital in Manchester and I have signed consent forms and had my pre op for a TAH.  I also have fluid on my lungs, which has been aspirated, awaiting results for that.

At first, it was "oh crap" but now it's more " let's get it all out and crack on with life". So there we are, womens health is a pain in the backside I have decided. The bleeds are only bad when I use HRT, as my uterus is so stretched now and there is more lining to shed I guess. Last week I made the decision to take sick leave from work, as was struggling physically and mentally with it all. Now I am off, I want to be back at work!

I haven't been offered the injections: the pain comes and goes which I don't understand. I have put a patch on today as my mood is so rubbish, so will probably bleed soon!

My surgery is meant to be anytime within the next 3 weeks. After that, if it is not done, I am going back to work. Then a phone call will come, you wait!

Keep us updated if you would like Bexs x

Swimly Alice, I echo everything which Hurdity has said. You are bleeding and you need to be seen by a gynae. You should not have to pay to see a private consultant.. please do let us know how things go.x

[Bexs]

Hi Nas,

Me too! I always joked before my appointment it would be one out all out! I am too old for any more kids and it was quite a fight to get the ones I have. That part of my body has given me nothing but grief since I was a teenager!

My consultant is going to leave my ovaries unless they look a bit dodgy and to be honest I am not bothered either way! Nearly weaned myself off HRT ( not that it made any symptoms better)!

You do sound like you have been and still are going through it. Surely, if they are not sure if the fibroid is benign or not they should just get it all out asap? How do you know you had fluid on your lungs? Did you have symptoms?

I think you have the right mindset now although it is totally understandable why you would freak out. I think it helps once you are actually seen by gynae and have a plan of action and in my opinion your op should definitely be in the 3 weeks they have said. In fact, if I was you I think I would ring them every week and ask if they have a date yet as this is a very worrying time for you.

I don't blame you being signed off work, sometimes it is all too much and work is just another "thing" in the equation that you don't need at the moment. I hope your employer has been sympathetic and is treating you well.

Please let me know when you get your date. 🤞 It's soon. Take care, Bexs.

[Nas]

Hey Bexs
Sounds like those reproductive organs of yours need to come out pronto. They are a right royal pain in the backside for so many of us it seems!

The lung fluid was picked up on an MRI back in September, They seem more bothered about that, than the beast (named "the thing") which has invaded my body! Apparantly, another 3 weeks, will make no difference to my outcome (my mental health might be in tatters though!  ) So here I wait patiently, for my phone to ring! I may start to make a nuisance of myself if I have not heard anything by the end of next week though. Work have been fine, but the job is too much for me to cope with mentally and physically right now.

Bexs, lets hope next year is a better one and we can say goodbye to pain and bleeding for good!

Keep us posted x

[SwimyAlice]

Oh ladies! I feel for you all and all these bloody troubles! Much love to you all in getting fixed x
Ps I am happy to pay this time as I feel it’s valuable to (hopefully!) get a 2nd educated opinion - it’s great that is all sent to my GP after the appt. I will update next week when I have been.
Hugs n love ❤️ to you all x

[SwimyAlice]

Hi all,

Just an update - I went to see a private menopause clinic Dr last week and they were really helpful and thorough. They wrote to me and my GP (to speed up the gyny appt) and to suggested I up my progesterone initially (poss use vaginally if I need to up it a level again). I now feel reassured that the bleeding is MOST LIKELY just a hormone imbalance, unless the progesterone upping doesn't work - but said attend the gyny appt anyway for good measure.

I am speaking to an NHS GP tomorrow regarding changing my prescription and to ask for the US scan to be available on the NHS app (it isn't at the mo).

So far I haven't had a bleed and I'm sleeping better - it's early days as I could start again tomorrow but I understand the situation better and will go back to the private clinic in a few months if things aren't 100% sorted.

I went through Menopause Care face to face fairly locally to me (nr Colchester Essex) but they do also do online sessions and have various Drs around the country. For me it was worth the £295 spend this time.

I saw Dr Nicola Stewart and would recommend others to her https://menopausecare.co.uk/dipl-team-member/dr-nicola-stewart/

I will update in due course...
hope you're all getting there too!
Alice