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[Stick_insect]

I first saw my GP mid December and since then have been referred for ultrasound where they found grapefruit sized cyst on left ovary and multiple fibroids - so many they didn't even count them....

I've now been to Gynae- who said mass on ovary could also be a fibroid. I've to go for MRI and have had endometrial biopsy and bloods taken to check for cancer marker.

I'm trying to stay calm - after all still having regular periods no strange symptoms - although now I know about the cyst I feel pains I never felt beforehand.  I thought I was just becoming peri menopausal - weepy- shorter cycles and interrupted sleep during second half of cycle.

Surgery was mentioned during consultation but I was wondering is there any other way of shrinking fibroids / cysts without having to resort to removal?

I've been reading the forum and it's really helping me to not feel so unusual/alone as so many kind people have shared their experiences.
Thanks

[Hurdity]

Hi Stick_insect

  from me too.

Here is some brief information on this site about fibroids HRT and menopause:

Fibroids are benign smooth muscle tumours of the uterine (womb) wall and are dependant on estrogen. They tend to shrink after the menopause but shrinkage may not occur, or they may even increase in size with HRT use. Increase is thought to occur in 25% of HRT users and mainly occurs in the first six months of therapy. There is some evidence that transdermal (patch or gel) but not tablet HRT nor tibolone may promote fibroid growth. [ref 24] Fibroid size can be monitored by regular examinations and sometimes by ultrasound scans. There is some evidence that the use of the progestogen releasing intra-uterine system, Mirena may cause fibroids to reduce in size. Mirena is often used in the perimenopause by women who have heavy periods and/or require contraception and can provide the progestogen part of their HRT.

http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/atoz.php#GlossF

Good luck with all your investigations and let us know how you get on and what treatment you will receive for the cysts and fibroids.

Hurdity x

[Stick_insect]

Thanks for replies. I was sure all the symptoms I was experiencing were due to peri so it came as a real shock to discover I had so many growths going on that I had no inkling about. No wonder my middle aged spread didn't shrink as much as I thought it would when I lost almost a stone. I've been having 25 day cycles since mid 2012, down from 28 days regular as clockwork since birth of my dd. I think I may always have had low progesterone/ high oestrogen and this has been getting progressively more imbalanced over the past year. Have had the same strange weepiness for the last few months that I had when first pregnant along with horrendous 3 day migraines every month.
I'm keeping thoughts positive and if they decide everything needs whipped out then so be it....

[Hurdity]

I started getting migraines for the first time during the late reproductive stage ie when hormones begin to start fluctuating more dramatically but before cycles started lengthening and peri-menopause officially starts. Horrible aren't they? The shorter cycles at the end of your fertile period and before peri-menopause are completely normal - it won't be to do with your own progesterone etc specifically as it is one of the recognised stages. If you are still having cycles like that ie got shorter - you will still be ovulating and therefore still producing progesterone, but the fibroids could be causing pain, and definitely contribute to more bleeding.

Hurdity x

[Hurdity]

sparkle I do get them sometimes but I don't think it's due to the HRT especially - I can't work out what the trigger is - although alcohol eg wine late at night even a small glass, is a major one, or sometimes if I'm really tired and go to bed really late or after very long drive along motorways into the evening sun. Sometimes I get one from being on the Utrogetsan or coming off it - but not usually now - whereas when I used Cyclogest (progesterone pessaries) previously I always got one when I came off the prog - I think the dose in these was too high. The frequency is nothing compared to how they used to be. Always every month linked to the bleed in peri but reduced when my periods reduced - except for the triggers above. Mine are classic, not with aura and usually last 3 days.

Hurdity x

[Stick_insect]

Hurdity, your migraine experiences soundlike mine. No aura but 3 days of agony just before period starts. I've always had mine though -(since I've been 20) not every single month though. Didn't have one in December.  I find the only thing that helps mine is strong tea and painkillers containing aspirin. I only discovered this a couple of years ago. I hope they go with time. Funnily enough over the past 6 months my periods have been getting lighter as the fibroids have probably getting larger. Hmmmm strange although not complaining about that.

[BrightLight]

Hi Stick_Insect - you are not alone in having multiple fibroids and wondering how you never noticed they were growing 'in there'. I am having an appointment with a gynaecologise this week after my GP referred me.  My periods have been shortening and then erractic last year, with some two weeks apart and the bleeding was different, so I had an ultrasound which discovered the fibroids.  I am not certain they have anything to do with the bleeding pattern I have had.  An MRI has also been mentioned to me as a possibility because my scan was not clear as a fibroid was in the way!.

I am nearly 46 and have now wondered if I also have a cyst as have been getting mid cycle pain and also wondered if the fibroids have any bearing on hormonal/ovulation issues.  Good luck with your next steps, do you know when they will happen?

[Stick_insect]

Thanks for your reply. I got an appointment through for a CT ON THE 16th so don't have that long to wait now. My bleeding pattern has also changed. Periods were very heavy every 25 days from when I was 40 until last June when they began getting lighter and I had spotting from day 10 onwards. Don't know if that's because the fibroids are degenerating. That's what I'm hoping anyway. I'm 47 now so hoping everything is hormonally related and nothing more sinister.

Brightlight good luck with your appointment.

[BrightLight]

Hi Stick_insect (do you have those as pets? ) Good that you haven't long to wait for the scan.

My fibroids were found incidentally - is that how you discovered yours?  What did you go to the GP for initially?

I had a couple of periods with only 2 week gaps and some persistant spotting before and after, my GP sent me for an ultrasound to check for fibroids or polyps.  It was then I was told there were multiple fibroids pressing on my bladder etc.  Anyhow, I saw the gynaecologist this week and explained all my symptoms that I presumed were perimenopausal related but had begun to think it was maybe the fibroid.  In my case he suggested the symptoms were not fibroid related and that I had no symptoms that would warrant or need treatment.  I am very happy with that outcome and only have to pray the fibroids stay the same size and do not create symptoms.

I think it depends where the fibroids are, I believe mine are outside the womb, so therefore unlikely to be causing heavier bleeding and spotting.  It seems a bit crazy to me that I can have large fibroids but no severe symptoms.

I am making sure I excercise regularly, introduced green tea and probiotics - the aim of that is to keep my digestion tip top in the hope I eliminate any excess hormones as best I can. Basically to keep my metabolism going well if I can - it's a struggle I think as falling hormones make it slow down!!! Hence I also have a growing stomach, but that is hopefully the fibroids as well.

[Stick_insect]

Update - saw consultant last week who advised CT had shown up 7cm cyst on left ovary and 4.5cm cyst on right ovary. After multi-disciplinary case conference they are almost sure cysts are endometriomas - surgery has been advised to remove them ASAP  as CA125 levels also higher than normal range although not worryingly high in her opinion. 
Strangely she advised I could keep my womb until after histology results were back if I wanted to but I may then need 2 ops within a few weeks; as I didn't relish the thought of this  I opted for 'full clearance' as she put it and am now on the waiting list. She said at my age I won't miss oestrogen and didn't advise HRT.  I thought I was still youngish at 48.  So now  eagerly awaiting  next chapter of life to begin - I'm thinking of all the positives- no more hormone migraines- no cramps- no flooding- not dwelling on any negatives.

[blossom60]

Wow, I'm very much a non HRT girl myself, but even I think it's a bit off not to offer you HRT, in your situation.

It's going to be a sudden,complete drop in your hormone levels, and you will have to cope with that, after having a major op.

It might be worth speaking to your GP about it.  Don't forget no one knows when you would naturally have your last period.  It might not have been for another 10 years.  I think you need more of a gentle transition than a complete stop.

[Hurdity]

First - sorry to hear about your cysts and forthcoming op - did you have endometriosis when younger?

As for your consultant saying you won't miss oestrogen at 48 - well I am flabbergasted! I mean the natural average age of menopause is 51/52 and all women are advised to take HRT at least until then to help protect heart and bones. As for missing it - it is missed at any age anyway in some way or another and if you have everything out you will be plunged into sudden menopause which means also no or little testosterone as well as sudden loss of oestrogen.

If you are having regular cycles as you said in your original post below - you will miss the oestrogen all the more - I really don't know how a consultant can say that! Please ask to be referred to a menopause clinic after your op and in the meantime you must ask for HRT straight away. Even so it will take your body several months - up to a year - to recuperate and you will need to look after yourself. The last thing you want on top of your recovery is having to deal with unbearable flushes and sweats.

There is info on this site about HRT and hysterectomy:
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/aftermeno.php

I wish you well in your op!

Hurdity  x

[Stick_insect]

UPDATE- I had my total hysterectomy on 24 May after my gyn-onc advised that it was best option in the circumstances.
I'm glad to say everything found was benign - fibroids and endometriomas - on both ovaries which had ruptured at some stage and had been leaking into my abdominal cavity.
After the op both surgeons (who were two of the finest women I've ever met) advised that I should have listened to my body earlier as I was in a real mess which had made the operation very challenging. I have been left with stage IV endometriosis - so unless I'm having uncontrollable and debilitating menopause symptoms rules out HRT.
So 2 months out I'm recovering ok. Only menopause symptoms so far are disturbed sleep at night and I'm thinking the start of a bit of vaginal dryness although discomfort could still be due to op. Hopefully I can manage to control mood swings etc with diet modifications.

[Stick_insect]

Thanks for the well wishes.

[Taz2]

So pleased that your results were good and that you are now well on the way to recovery after your hysterectomy. Endo is such a horrible condition. Do you know where yours is?

Taz x