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[Minniemouse]

I have had Mirena for 2 years, for dreadfully heavy periods and Elleste Solo 40 patches for menopause symptoms-the worst being foggy brain. This regime has suited me, once it all settled down. I'm not hormonal and for the most part feel good-im 53 years old. I recently had an episode of severe pain on my left side, which took my breath away with the spasms and also bleeding. I had previously not bled since last July. I was referred for urgent scan which showed Mirena in correct position and also fibroids which I knew about (not large ones) . However, scan also revealed my womb lining is thick (think 9mm?) So I have been referred for biopsy. I know that oestrogen can cause this thickening so should I be looking to stop my patches? Would it harm me to continue just with the Mirena? I'm nervous about stopping the patch. How will my womb lining thin without stopping the patch? Hope someone is able to answer some of my questions! Thank you.

[Hurdity]

Hi Minniemouse - you haven't said where you are in menopause? If you are still peri-menopausal then your cycle may still come and go as normal - some women still have light periods with the Mirena. In this case you would expect your lining to thicken (but not as much) just as it does in a normal menstrual cycle. Also as Stellajane says and also if you are post-menopause - when you won't be having a cycle. It's always good to be investigated just for peace of mind and to rule out anything abnormal. All the best with your investigation and let us know how you get on.

Hurdity x

[Minniemouse]

Thank you to both of you for your reassuring messages. I have had blood tests to determine where i am in menopause, but I don't know how accurate they are when you take HRT? Apparently I am borderline. I will be having the biopsy tomorrow and I will let you know when I have heard the results of that.

[Minniemouse]

Hello, I have had all my results and this is the situation. Apparently although previous blood tests showed I was menopausal-the most recent show I'm not, at almost 54. The biopsy was clear. So it's believed the awful pain I had was my ovary working and that's why I had bleeding. The consultant has said I could reduce my oestrogen patch which would reduce my womb lining, but I'm reluctant to do so as I feel relatively good currently. Still feel like I have brain fog and I'm worried the random bleeding will start again-especially if I start messing with the patches. I know from the scan the Mirena is in the correct place, but the lining is thicker than ideal. Don't know what to do really, any thoughts would be welcome.

[Hurdity]

Thanks for the update. As I said before, if you are not menopausal then your womb lining will still wax and wane to some extent according to your cycle since ovulation is not always suppressed when using the Mirena. This being the case how thick it was would vary according to when it was measured - that is my interpretation anyway. Surely your consultant would know this or be able to interpret?

Also if you are taking oestrogen then whatever blood tests they did to determine menopausal status will not be accurate as oestrogen depresses FSH levels. I can't think why they even took them. If you have reached menopause then the thickening could be more of an issue but as Stellajane says the fibroids can cause bleeding - were these mentioned or examined during your hysteroscopy?

Glad the biopsy was all clear anyway - that's the main thing!

It is tricky to know what to suggest if you can't determine where you are in menopause ( due to taking oestrogen). Maybe the foggy head is caused to some extent by the progestogen in the Mirena and as you are using it for heavy periods there probably isn't a lot you can do until you have defimitley reached menopause - when you could perhaps try a different type of hRT and see if you felt any better?

Sorry this is probably not much help!

Hurdity x

[Minniemouse]

Hello Hurdity,
Thanks so much for replying - even though you might think you don't help, it really helps just chatting to someone who has some knowledge, as you know one always thinks of questions after seeing a consultant - when it's too late! I had always thought that oestrogen would help with the foggy brain so that's another reason why I'm cautious to reduce. Fibroids were mentioned, they don't seem to have grown since my previous scan. So, I know that nothing can be done to induce the menopause, but what would be the possible effects to me to stop oestrogen, apart from worse foggy brain?!

[CLKD]

I've had brain fog for years, well before I went into peri - ...........

[Minniemouse]

The brain fog is awful, I just feel like my head is empty! I really wish I didn't have to work, I feel like I'm just getting through the days with no memory at all. I will keep the Mirena until it's time for removal and by then I will be 55 and not needing it for contraceptive purposes. It's just the oestrogen patches I'm not sure whether to stop them now or continue until the coil is removed.