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[mand3966]

HI,

Not posted on here for a while as all seemed to be going well on my HRT Conti.....anyhow, after 3 and a half years of no periods, (I'm 46, started menopause symptoms almost 10 years ago, so quite early, been on HRT continuously for approx 18 mths), I went to the loo this morning and...... there was blood..... just like a normal period......Have had really sore boobs for about a month, and looking back, been really bad tempered this last couple of weeks, just like PMT!

Is this normal??

Many thanks,
Mand3966

[Taz2]

Hi Mand - it's probably a hormonal blip but it is very important that you get this checked out with the GP. Any bleed if you have gone longer than a year without needs to be investigated just to rule out anything else going on.

Let us know how you get on.

Just a thought though - have you had anything which might have made you not absorb the HRT? Upset stomach if you are on pills or maybe a patch falling off?

Taz x

[mand3966]

Hi Taz,

Last week I did have a patch that hadn't fallen off completely, but when I went to bed noticed that only about a 3rd of it was still stuck to me, so had to go and replace it with a new one, even though it has only been on 24 hrs.....

Thanks for the advice.... if bleeding continues into next week, will make GP appointment......
Mand3966

[Taz2]

I think you should consult GP anyway - it's really not worth taking the risk. It seems as if you had two years without periods before starting HRT which would mean you were post meno. This is the NHS guidelines on what to do if you experience bleeding when you are post-meno http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/postmenopausal-bleeding-or-spotting/Pages/Introduction.aspx

Taz x

[mand3966]

Thanks Taz,

Trouble is, I was on the mini pill for several years before starting HRT and was never told that the mini pill can stop your periods, so assumed I was peri- menopausal, as as well as very very irregular periods also had alot of other syptoms (moody, lack of sex drive etc etc)... so for approx 9 years or so, I've either been on the mini pill or Conti HRT, so my periods on the mini pill were very irregular and stopped about two years before taking HRT (but could them stopping be due to the mini pill? I don't know....) so, part of me has always had that thought that I may not be post menopausal at all, but just had no periods due to being on the mini pill and HRT... does that make sense???

Mand3966

[Taz2]

It does make sense and I think that you would have been better being prescribed the sequi form of HRT to give you a bleed. This makes it even more important that you get yourself checked out to make sure that your womb lining hasn't increased too much.

The mini pill often stops periods entirely.

Taz x

[mand3966]

Thanks Taz,

I've managed to book myself an appointment for next Tuesday after work with my favourite GP so will see what she has to say....just when I thought all was going well!!!! 

Many thanks for all your advice and help,
Mand3966
xxx

[mand3966]

Hi Taz,

Thanks for your replies to me last week.  Thought I would let you know how I got on at the GPs.
Actually managed to make an appointment this morning as still bleeding, now on the 5th full day of bleeding, though today, less heavy then before. (my periods only used to last about 4 days before though!)
Well GP didn't seem too concerned, said it was quite common for someone of my age (46) and going through early menopause to have no bleed for some time, and then have a bleed, sometimes this will happen more than the once she said and can happen years after your last period.
I explained that I was on a continuous HRT for post menopausal, as hadn't had a period for 2 years prior to going on HRT 18 months ago, but also explained that I was on the mini pill for years before going on HRT, and that there was a period of time when I was taking both the mini pill and HRT.
She said that the mini pill could have easily made my periods stop, and being on a continuous HRT would also not cause me a bleed.... I asked if she thought I should change to a seq HRT and she asked how I felt on the continuous one, and when I said fine, and it had got rid of a lot of my syptoms she said she was happy for me to stay on the HRT I am on. She said I didn't want to have a bleed every month again did I?  Obviously I said I didn't so she said to stay on the one I'm on.
She said she will refer me for a scan as she could see I was worried, but she said she wasn't concerned and was really only referring me for a scan to re-assure me!
I mentioned what we are usually told, about you having to go two years without a period if you are under 50, to be post menopausal, and she said that has all changed, and it is now the age of 54, and gone without a period for 4 years to be post menopausal!!!!  Hello!!!! News to me!
Any how, not certain how long it will take to get my referral, but at least she has re-assured me some what, still concerned its something more sinister, but she didn't seem worried at all, so I will try and not think the worst until I get the scan results.....

I'll keep you posted....

Thanks for listening,
mand3966
x

[Taz2]

Thanks for letting us know how you got on mand.

I have to disagree with your doc though. If it were me I wouldn't be happy taking a continuous HRT at the age of 46 having had years on the mini pill and some time on both the mini pill and HRT. The guidelines for conti HRT are quite specific as to having to be post menopausal in order to prevent endometrial cancer so although most women, if asked, would say that they didn't want a monthly bleed the risks have to be taken into account. I really don't see how your doc can say you are post-meno when you have not had a year without either the mini pill or HRT. 

 At least you are having a scan to check that all is ok though.

Taz x 

[sweatybet]

Hi mand3966

I agree with Taz your GP has got it wrong.  You are considered post meno after 1 year with no periods at what ever age.  80% of women once they get to 54 are considered post meno due to lack of ovarian function even if you are still having periods. 

The NIce guidelines state a 2 week referral to a PMB clinic must be made if you have sudden bleeding anytime after a year of no bleeding.  If you are on hrt it should be stopped for 6 weeks to see if bleeding continues.  Although that does not have to stop a referral being made.

I have a colleague at work who was told that sometimes a hormone surge can cause a period after years.  Even read that contact with young hormonal girls can cause a bleed.

Please don't worry too much.  It's probably nothing.  A scan is a good start.


SB

[Suzi Q]

I agree even though I decided at 38 not to take HRT after not having proper periods
Fiding out I was premenopausal I beleive now at that early age its called Ovarian Failure
TAZ CLKD is that right?? Anyway GP is as 10000000% wrong
I was on Mini pill for 10 yrs in UK still had periods not heavy though I couldnt take normal pill for B/control
When I came to Ozz 1980 they didnt have it When I went to GP at 41 due to dryness I knew about eraly Meno
Gave me ortho@ mini pill I stopped periods totaly after 2 years 1 year of none at 44 I was told I was postmeno
I stayed on Mini Pill and moved on to Ovestrin till 2010 I hadnt had a period for 14 years
I stopped in 2010 and just take Vagifem due to sever Vaginal atrophy Im 59
If any b;leeding occurs after  2 years post meno GP and investigations MUST be sorted
A scan is apropriate for a start OK dont worry but dont take what this GP says with anything but a grain of saltx

[mand3966]

Thanks for the replies ladies.....
I am now rather worried, after GP telling me she was referring me for a scan regarding my bleeding, I received a letter back from my local hospital with a scan date...... and its for next week!!!  How quick.... only 16 days from when I saw my GP to the scan date!  Obviously now worried that they think it is more serious and have got me in really quick!
On the other hand at least I'm not being left hanging around waiting!
I have to have two scans, according to the letter for: US pelvis (Transabdomen & Transvaginal)..... anyone had any of these done before?  Not so worried about the Transabdomen one, but don't like the sound of the Transvaginal one!)
Also been told to drink at least 2 pints of fluid one hour before the appointment!!!! I am at work in the morning before my appointment and have to cycle from my work place to the hospital (which is only a 20 min cycle ride)... but with a full bladder!!!!! What happens if my appointment is late and I just can't hold it in anymore and have to go to the loo.... what happens then!!!!!
Any advice would be appreciated......
My actual appointment date is the 21st August (week tomorrow)....
 
Many thanks,
Mand3966

[Claireylou]

Hi there,

I had a transvaginal ultrasound in November and it really is nothing to worry about. It's no worse than a smear test. In fact I found it easier than a smear. The nurse asked me to bring my knees up and part my legs (same as smear) then she inserted a small probe thingy and just held it there while she checked the screen. I found it totally painless so try not to worry xx

[mand3966]

Thanks for the reply Claireylou,

Has re-assured me a little.... just concerned because I have vaginal dryness, and on vagifem, and find my smear tests really painful!!!!!

Oh well, at least I haven't got too long to worry about it!!!!

Thanks again,
Mand3966

[sweatybet]

Hi

You will have an abdo scan first with full bladder, they are sensitive to the fact you are waiting with a full bladder.  They check the bladder and uterus and look for ovaries.  The sonograhpher will ask you to go and empty your bladder.  Vaginal scan the probe goes in just to the entrance, it will be well lubricated and covered with a condom. It takes about 20 minutes altogether.  They can measure the endometrial lining.  At my hospital we can refer directly to the hyteroscopy clinic if lining thick or if anything unusual seen.

Good luck

Sb