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[sap22]

Having managed to just about get on top of my 2 years of vulvodynia/vaginismus with medication, I now find that my 2nd attempt at continuous HRT has resulted in womb lining of 10mm instead of previous 4mm!.  My first attempt was utrogestan and estradot patches, then gave that up because of annoying spotting but womb lining was ok.

This second attempt at HRT I started in May 2017 (daily utrogestan 100mg and 2 pumps daily on thighs of oestrogel) - no spotting at all - no problems all balanced until this August when brown bits started coming away and now am constantly low level bleeding. TV ultrasound showed 10mm thickness which has worried and surprised me considerably as I am mystified how this can have become so thick when I take daily utrogestan and have never forgotten to take it!

I have an appointment with my gynae on 6 November (private) but the NHS hospital doctor said something about the fact that they ask people to stop HRT if this happens, but I can't remember exactly what she said (she was an ice cold bxxxx!)  and whether the NHS do ask people to stop if its thick..

She suggested biopsy but am prepared to have a bleed or ditch HRT to avoid it.... I have one plan which could be to try restarting the vagifem as my vulvodynia has improved. The reason I took only systemic was to cover all my symptoms including some vaginal atrophy which it seems to have done, as I was having problems inserting vagifem at the time.

It's so deflating and depressing to have this happen and to climb another mountain, caused by HRT which was supposed to help me.  Am disillusioned with it now.  after 2 years of painful vulvodynia and vaginismus.... my anxiety has gone up all over again - can anyone relate ??! xxx

[Dancinggirl]

Utrogestan didn't keep my womb lining thin either. Taking it orally doesn't always work on the lining well and it's not good to use Utrogestan vaginally every day. Why not have a Mirena fitted - far better at keeping the lining thin, less hassle and fewer side effects. DG x

[Rhiner]

Hi Sap, I had a reading of 10.8mm and it turned out to be a polyp which the normal scans do not tend to show that well. At the time the meno specialist took a biopsy (not enough sample) and as thickness varied throughout he then suspected a polyp. I was on every other day Utro orally. Polyp was removed. I upped to 2 days on one day off and had some spotting, Thickness now 2mm although could have another polyp (or could be a 'septum' which I have always had). Specialist not unduly concerned and getting a second opinion on the scan to hopefully confirm its my septum thats shown up.

You can always use a synthetic progestogen to 'strip the lining away' and then continue as you are with regular monitoring? This is what my meno specialist suggested when we thought my lining was thick. A biopsy would check for any hyperplasia which is the risk with a thickened endometrium (although 10mm is not ridiculously high).
Hope this helps and don't panic!
Rx

[sap22]

Hi Sap, I had a reading of 10.8mm and it turned out to be a polyp which the normal scans do not tend to show that well. At the time the meno specialist took a biopsy (not enough sample) and as thickness varied throughout he then suspected a polyp. I was on every other day Utro orally. Polyp was removed. I upped to 2 days on one day off and had some spotting, Thickness now 2mm although could have another polyp (or could be a 'septum' which I have always had). Specialist not unduly concerned and getting a second opinion on the scan to hopefully confirm its my septum thats shown up.

You can always use a synthetic progestogen to 'strip the lining away' and then continue as you are with regular monitoring? This is what my meno specialist suggested when we thought my lining was thick. A biopsy would check for any hyperplasia which is the risk with a thickened endometrium (although 10mm is not ridiculously high).
Hope this helps and don't panic!
R


Thanks to both of you...and interesting to know continuous doesn't always work for people.  Do you think Rhiner that the oestrogen causes polyps?  I get that impression. Not sure what a septum is, but thanks for sharing your story...if I have to have biopsy would ask to be put out!! xx

[sap22]

Hi Stellajane,

Thanks for your ideas... originally I didn't want a bleed in the past because of the vulvodynia as bleeding irritated the area, but it has improved.  So there are options.. I'm bleeding a bit more last couple of days, which is probably a good thing - like you said I could do with a good bleed! 

Bits and pieces on and off since August gets you down and now constant.  I have appointment on 6th November, so will have some questions for her and will take my scan results which I picked up today.   I was only thinking of whether to carry on with the systemic because of the worry of whether the womb lining is thickened, whether there are polyps etc etc... Local hospital in Eastbourne you don't get to see a consultant any more (maybe unless your on your last legs!)...

I fear she may want me to have a biopsy but I'll see and try to stay in the day! Thanks, Stella Jane.  this really is a good forum because it's people who really understand and have personal experience and can pool ideas...

[Hurdity]

You can always use a synthetic progestogen to 'strip the lining away' and then continue as you are with regular monitoring? This is what my meno specialist suggested when we thought my lining was thick. A biopsy would check for any hyperplasia which is the risk with a thickened endometrium (although 10mm is not ridiculously high).
Hope this helps and don't panic!
Rx

Hi sap - as Rhiner says - my GP also gives me norethisterone to do this every now and again just to make sure it isn't thickened.

I agree with the others that cyclical HRT is probably the way to go in your circumstances after a course of prog to thin the lining, since you won't want to take a higher dose of prog every day. If you take the prog cyclically (starting at 12-14 days per month x 200 mg) then you might want to use it vaginally as it is very effective in protecting the lining used in this way?

Bleeding and a thickened lining definitely needs checking so hopefully once you've had your appt all will be sorted. Btw if you have been offered a biopsy I would accept this just for peace of mind and then you can start afresh.

Hurdity x

[sap22]

Thanks Hurdity for your added comments...

[sap22]

I realised today that I took utrogestan before, but with Estradot patches and it kept the lining thin before... the only thing that has changed is the type of oestrogen - now oestrogel...

[nigela]

Hi. Not sure if you will see this but a similar thing is now happening to me. The utrogesten and oestrogel. Just wondering how you got on and if you got it sorted and how.  Many thanks.

[Hurdity]

Hi nigela this is a very old thread from nearly 4 years ago and sap 22 is no longer a member of the forum so you will not get a reply. I suggest that you start a new thread of your own outlining your issues and then you will be more likely to get a reply

Hurdity x