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Menopause Matters magazine ISSUE 76 out now. (Summer issue, June 2024)

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Author Topic: Endometrial thickness on HRT  (Read 2034 times)

Meeka

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Endometrial thickness on HRT
« on: September 06, 2023, 11:56:03 AM »

Hi everyone ,

I’ve been using Oestrogel and utrogestan cyclically for around 10 years .  Recently noticed my bleeds were getting heavier and bit longer .

Just had a uterine internal scan at ultrasound direct which measured thickness at 9.6mm .

I think that is too thick ?
Any advice or experiences would be appreciated .   But sure what to do next ?
Thank you
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CLKD

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Re: Endometrial thickness on HRT
« Reply #1 on: September 06, 2023, 12:01:11 PM »

5mm is usually acceptable.  Were you not given any advice with the results?  Who referred you?

Is there a Nurse Practitioner at the Surgery to talk to?
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Meeka

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Re: Endometrial thickness on HRT
« Reply #2 on: September 06, 2023, 12:12:19 PM »

Ultrasound direct is self referral and sonographer thought result was acceptable for someone on HRT . 
I would say this service is good for giving a result but not sure they are qualified for any real follow up advice .

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CLKD

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Re: Endometrial thickness on HRT
« Reply #3 on: September 06, 2023, 12:21:48 PM »

I wasn't aware that we are able to self refer .......... sonographer though is a technician, I think that to put your mind at rest: as well as letting us know  ;) : what a specialist would consider apt for your HRT regime. 
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Meeka

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Re: Endometrial thickness on HRT
« Reply #4 on: September 06, 2023, 12:54:24 PM »


https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,61216.15.html

I just found this discussion which helps .
Not sure if the link works
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Kathleen

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Re: Endometrial thickness on HRT
« Reply #5 on: September 06, 2023, 01:11:22 PM »

Hello Meeka

At an NHS scan a few years ago I was told that 4mm was the safe limit. Mine measured a little more than that so I had a hysteroscopy and all was okay. I had been referred due to post meno bleeding and I had recently increased my HRT patch from 50mcg to 75mcg. I was informed that the highest dose patch was likely responsible for the bleed and that I should go back to a 50mcg patch which I did and all the bleeding resolved.

Fast forward a few years and many experiments with different HRT types and strengths and yet again I was referred for a scan due to bleeding. Again all okay and my lining was 2mm which the consultant said was right for a woman of my age( 66) and post meno. Once again I lowered my dose of Oestrogen and the bleeding stopped.

Apologies for the long winded reply but I think my story indicates that your lining is a little too thick and is probably due to too much Oestrogen.  Perhaps take your scan results to your GP so that he or she can work out a treatment plan with you for the future.

Wishing you well and take care.

K.


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Ayesha

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Re: Endometrial thickness on HRT
« Reply #6 on: September 06, 2023, 01:13:47 PM »

I wasn't aware that we are able to self refer .......... sonographer though is a technician, I think that to put your mind at rest: as well as letting us know  ;) : what a specialist would consider apt for your HRT regime.

We have a growing private sector that we can refer ourselves to, which I think is great.   

Meeka, the link worked and probably answered your question going forwards.
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Wrensong

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Re: Endometrial thickness on HRT
« Reply #7 on: September 06, 2023, 01:51:23 PM »

Hi Meeka, the other thread you posted the link for is helpful.  Like Kathleen, some years ago & several years postmenopause, I was told by a Cons Radiologist (private hospital)  that 4mm was the magic number above which further investigation (hysteroscopy & biopsy) was required.  I had gone nearly a year on low dose sequential HRT without any bleeding but had suddenly started to get spotting & though bleeds were of course to be expected on a sequential regimen,  we were not sure why the sudden change from no bleeds to spotting, hence the scan.  My lining was only 1-2mm at that point, so no further investigation. 

A year later on higher dose oestrogen, I had a little spotting after sex & was fast-tracked for another abdo/TVS, this time at an NHS hospital.  Lining was 6mm straight after a scheduled bleed, so I was somewhat shocked & expected a hysteroscopy & biopsy, but the sonographer said she thought that measurement was acceptable on HRT, especially as the endometrium was regular with no abnormalities of concern, bar a small fibroid I'd had for many years.  My GP & Gynae both deemed the outcome fine to my surprise  & I wasn't required to have a hysteroscopy on that occasion.  Like yours, my bleeds then got heavier over time on a long cycle regimen for progesterone intolerance.  I suspected the lining was becoming thicker & for that reason reduced my oestrogen dose & cycle length while waiting for hysterectomy, the histology from which, albeit benign, proved my suspicion was right.  I would speak to your GP, gynae or menopause specialist for expert advice on your particular situation.
Wx
« Last Edit: September 06, 2023, 02:39:56 PM by Wrensong »
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Meeka

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Re: Endometrial thickness on HRT
« Reply #8 on: September 06, 2023, 01:54:10 PM »

Hello Meeka

At an NHS scan a few years ago I was told that 4mm was the safe limit. Mine measured a little more than that so I had a hysteroscopy and all was okay. I had been referred due to post meno bleeding and I had recently increased my HRT patch from 50mcg to 75mcg. I was informed that the highest dose patch was likely responsible for the bleed and that I should go back to a 50mcg patch which I did and all the bleeding resolved.

Fast forward a few years and many experiments with different HRT types and strengths and yet again I was referred for a scan due to bleeding. Again all okay and my lining was 2mm which the consultant said was right for a woman of my age( 66) and post meno. Once again I lowered my dose of Oestrogen and the bleeding stopped.

Apologies for the long winded reply but I think my story indicates that your lining is a little too thick and is probably due to too much Oestrogen.  Perhaps take your scan results to your GP so that he or she can work out a treatment plan with you for the future.

Wishing you well and take care.

K.

Many thanks .
Yes I think I will go to GP .   They are not that great with HRT and always seem to have reservations . Their knowledge is quite limited and I have a feeling their reaction will be to stop the HRT . 
I have consulted with Michael Savvas in the past but the cost is always a factor . I think I’ll ring and get a costing moving forward . He was excellent last time I saw him .
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Meeka

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Re: Endometrial thickness on HRT
« Reply #9 on: September 06, 2023, 01:59:21 PM »

Hi Meeka, the other thread you posted the link for is helpful.  Like Kathleen, some years ago & several years postmenopause, I was told by a Cons Radiologist (private hospital)  that 4mm was the magic number above which further investigation (hysteroscopy & biopsy) was required.  I had gone nearly a year on low dose sequential HRT without any bleeding but had suddenly started to get spotting & though bleeds were of course to be expected on a sequential regimen,  we were not sure why the sudden change from no bleeds to spotting, hence the scan.  My lining was only 1-2mm at that point, so no further investigation. 

A year later on higher dose oestrogen, I had a little spotting after sex & was fast-tracked for another abdo/TVS, this time at an NHS hospital.  Lining was 6mm straight after a scheduled bleed, so I was somewhat shocked & expected a hysteroscopy & biopsy, but the sonographer said she thought that measurement was acceptable on HRT, especially as the endometrium was regular with no abnormalities of concern, bar a small fibroid I'd had for many years.  My GP & Gynae both deemed the outcome fine to my surprise  & I wasn't required to have a hysteroscopy on that occasion.  Like yours my bleeds then got heavier over time & I suspected the lining was becoming thicker, which proved to be the case on (albeit benign) histology following hysterectomy.  I would speak to your GP, gynae or menopause specialist for expert advice on your particular situation.
Wx

Many thanks ,
 
Could I ask why you decided to have a hysterectomy and if you still use HRT now ?
I just wondered why as the histology was ok . 
Thank you
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CLKD

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Re: Endometrial thickness on HRT
« Reply #10 on: September 06, 2023, 02:08:27 PM »

MayB get on2 a waiting list for a dedicated menopause clinic if GPs aren't au fait, do U want to stop HRT ?

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Donna-paul

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Re: Endometrial thickness on HRT
« Reply #11 on: September 06, 2023, 02:15:14 PM »

At my NHS clinic for post menopausal bleeding anything over 5.5 mm you have a biopsy especially if you are on hrt. My first one was 5.5 so they did a biopsy came back clear. I started bleeding again 10 months later fast tracked again womb lining was ok nurse still did a biopsy which came back abnormal. I’ve just had a total radical hysterectomy for womb cancer luckily caught very early. I was only on a low dose of hrt for 5 years. You definitely should be having a womb biopsy good luck
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CLKD

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Re: Endometrial thickness on HRT
« Reply #12 on: September 06, 2023, 02:17:17 PM »

Tnx for the update Donna-paul - how is recovery going?   :foryou:
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Wrensong

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Re: Endometrial thickness on HRT
« Reply #13 on: September 06, 2023, 02:23:13 PM »

Hi Meeka - I'd revised my earlier post not knowing you were posting, so the post you quoted has been changed!

The hysterectomy was agreed for extreme progesterone intolerance that worsened over time, making me very unwell & for debilitating heavy bleeds, which meant I was becoming low in iron.  I also found cyclical HRT difficult to combine with my unusual thyroid replacement regimen.  The histology showed several benign conditions that explained the heavy bleeding, which incidentally I'd also experienced throughout my fertile years, long before HRT, though no abnormality other than small fibroids had previously been found despite various investigations.

Yes, still on HRT.
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Meeka

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Re: Endometrial thickness on HRT
« Reply #14 on: September 06, 2023, 02:40:28 PM »

MayB get on2 a waiting list for a dedicated menopause clinic if GPs aren't au fait, do U want to stop HRT ?

Thanks ,
No I don’t really want to stop HRT as I have low bone density . when I consulted with Prof Stud over 10 years ago he was most insistent that I should always take it .   This is a new situation though so I need to re asses .
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