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[meno-mel]

Sorry this is a bit of a rant, I'm so confused about all this menopause stuff and other coincidental problems, I've stopped taking all my meds except prozac and HRT. I feel quite annoyed with all the medical staff to do with HRT and with the treatments in general.

In recent years the GP has had me on prozac, clonidine, codeine, tramadol, nefopam, temazepam, gabapentin, baclofen, bisopralol, sertraline, then various HRTs and vitamins & minerals. It was only last year I discovered my problem was actually menopause, I was 52 I don't know why noone worked it out before then, but we hadn't.

Even the last time I spoke with a GP, (after we knew I was getting meno symptoms) he asked me did I know of any reason why my blood pressure has started getting too high for the first time. I said "Menopause is my best guess". Silence on the other end of the phone while he waited for a real answer, but I had nothing else. So my BP has risen with no cause being identified, menopause doesn't count it seems. I'm thin, non smoker, therefore no obvious reasons. Oestrogen deficiency is a known cause of high blood pressure in women my age, I've since discovered from google and here.

Anyway I have gradually weaned myself off all of them. When I was 45 I took no medication at all, healthy natural living for me, by age 50 I was on a ton of them as each meno symptom wasn't diagnosed as being hormone related and I got given male alternatives, the things you would give a 50 year old man for the problems of menopause if he had them, not a healthy mom of three.

I failed to recognise I might be approaching menopause in my late 40s, I thought it normally only affected women from their 50s onwards, my bad, but I'm good at my job, y'know, I'm not a doctor, I expect them to be good at their jobs too and share the information they are supposed to have memorised to some extent.

I'm so fed up with the medical staff knowing nothing. Why do they not know anything? Every time they say, "take this and this will happen", so I take it and I'm thrown into the pits of hell where I'm a danger to myself and the prozac just isn't cutting through it at all. So they say, "OK, so you don't like that one, this one is great, won't hurt you." But of course it does.

When you google questions like "can HRT cause ovulation?" it's a vague yes. It names a few cases where women have spontaneous pregnancies and clearly a lot more people are asking the question than are getting answers!

I was really pleased when my periods stopped. My best friend and I had our periods stop the same year, she was six months earlier and got oestrogel plus provera which she takes every day. She did it by the book, no bleeding after the first three months and provera doesn't bother her at all.
So when I got past a year completely period free (after a few years of missing anything up to four periods in a row), I got Evorel Conti which my GP said had nothing like the risks people think they have, very safe all round and progesterone intolerance shouldn't be a problem for me any more either because Evorel is bioidentical! A little info can be worse than none, she was half right, the oestrogen part is bioidentical, the progesterone part is northisterone and not well tolerated by me at all.

I thought my periods were finished for good, but HRT brought them back, on so called "no bleed" HRT, that's a joke.

So I was referred for a scan last October for abnormal/unexplained/postmenopausal bleeding.

But the NHS service you get depends where you live and we don't vote tory around here, so you know how that goes, no services for not complying at the polls, rewarding only their own voters in the levelling up, it's completely corrupt but it has a lot of support from those who reap the rewards of the corruption, nothing we don't already know.

So I didn't get a scan and that was a problem because the NHS are obliged to scan anyone who might have cancer and not to discriminate for political reasons, but without the funding because the government can and do discriminate, their only option was to change my diagnosis back to peri menopausal and that made the 10 month wait fall within legal guidelines.

I'm stretching here for an explanation, maybe I'm wrong and my rediagnosis was nothing to do with the waiting list crisis, can anyone think of another reason?

I just feel so fed up with them all and I guess that is menopause too. For months before even being referred for a scan I was fobbed off because I was still within six months of starting it, so bleeding was expected and normal. They only referred me when the bleeding continued in monthly cycles after the first six months on conti, after the first 12 months on conti I was still having a five day bleed every month, age 53 so they switched me again. Every time I felt settled on an HRT, they say, you shouldn't be bleeding and change me to another one.
Newsflash; I bleed on all of them, leave me be and it might settle in 16 months or 26 months, why is only 6 months allowed?

If I stop HRT would my periods stop again as well? Why am I putting myself through all of this?

I'm on Estradot50 and utrogestan 200mg 12 days a month at the moment.
I want to stop the hot flushes. My husband just told me last night he put his hand on my dry bum and twenty seconds later we were both wet with sweat!
I'm now on Sequi and my body is still disobeying the clinic, lol, I bleed once a month for five days, but it's only approximately similar to when I take progestrogen, it usually starts just before I finish the progesterone, which can be messy as I take utrogestan vaginally these days.

Am I ovulating again? How do I know? I've got miraines cyclically again, abdominal pains cyclically again, breast tenderness sometimes, but I still get too many hot flushes day and night.

Did I get COVID? Did COVID mess up my body and stop my periods for a year when I was 51/52? Was it not really menopause?
I've not missed a period since being on HRT which is very draining, I bleed heavily and the GP still has me as post meno so I'm not even allowed the meds I used to take for heavy bleeding, tranexamic acid and mefenamic acid together for four days a month. Not any more because they say, "you shouldn't be bleeding, are you on the list for a scan?", "yes, ten months now", "OK when you get the results of the scan we'll make a decision."

I am so frustrated with the lot of them, can you tell?   

[Kathleen]

Hello meno-mel.

You are perfectly entitled to rant and I am not surprised that you are angry and worried.

My situation is different to yours but I share your frustration with it all.

Your Meno status changing does seem strange  ( and forgive me but I don't know how old you are now ) but I was still having regular periods at 54 and other ladies here have experienced a late menopause so it is possible you are peri meno.

Could you  arrange a scan privately? This would probably put your mind at rest but if anything does show up you can take it to your GP or hospital and hopefully get some treatment.

I am sorry that I can't  be of more help but I definitely sympathise and I hope you find a solution soon.

Wishing you well and sending hugs.

K.

[CLKD]

Let's get the Politics out of the way - it really doesn't matter how U vote as it's secret.  No one will know unless you advertise it to the locals.

Yes: Covid-19 has affected hormonal levels particularly in women who haven't had periods for several years: suddenly getting bleeds unexpectedly.  There are Studies taking place - U could look this up so that you can see up2date evidence.  I have no idea why this should happen, I think it was a surprise to many.

Not many of us were aware of peri-menopause which is why it came as a shock, causes confusion both to women and medics, most think that it's the stopping of periods followed by a few hot flushes.  Many GPs still believe this, without being aware of peri-menopause and the symptoms can literally, floor us.  Somewhere on the Forum there is a list of at least 36 symptoms! 4 me it was intermittent periods for several years then after they stopped my skin itched: I had a few cold flushes from the back of my neck to waist for a few months ....... followed by vaginal atrophy  .  I am fortunate in that my GP's wife is my age 

Sometimes to find out where we might be stopping HRT may show whether we still require it.  It may take a few months 4 the body to adjust = return/not of symptoms.  Again, confusion!

If you didn't get an appt for a scan your GP should have pushed or sent you directly.  B4 Covid various depts were stretched due to lack of resources being aimed at the NHS overall, by governments of the day making cut backs.  Then Covid arrived .......... as well as the NHS the criminal system is struggling to get through their waiting lists, it's really impacted on already broken systems in the UK.  Sadly.

Peri-menopause are the years prior to the final period = menopause.  We are advised to wait 12-14 months B4 we think we are 'there'  .  Some HRT regimes will activate the ovaries = bleeds.  MayB talking to a pharmacist about 'no bleed' HRT and your symptoms might give you an idea, most have private rooms.

Or send a PM to Dr Currie for which there is a fee.  It's so annoying and I would HATE to go back to bleeds whatever the reason might be.

I sense your frustration.  How is your diet over all?

[Ann B]

-Mail Doctor Currie
Unavailable at present due to high workload.
Dr Currie will answer the questions that have already been sent as soon as possible.

[meno-mel]

My diet is quite good at the moment. I have had IBS all my life and at times it restricts my diet to an unhealthy level, but it's ok recently. I wonder if that is because I seem to be absorbing some oestrogen at long last?

And yes of course I know they don't have any interest in how I vote as an individual, lol, but its too complex for here. I only mentioned it because it is the reason I'm still waiting for a scan after 10 months. (you like games and puzzles I think, here's one, Name a tory constituency that has waiting lists like that for postmenopausal/abnormal bleeding?)

[Ermin2trude]

Name a tory constituency that has waiting lists like that for postmenopausal/abnormal bleeding?)

Herefordshire. Both North and South. 😔🤕

[meno-mel]

Name a tory constituency that has waiting lists like that for postmenopausal/abnormal bleeding?)

Herefordshire. Both North and South. 😔🤕

But you said you had your initial scan within 2 weeks? That is nothing like 10 months for the initial scan!

[Ermin2trude]

Name a tory constituency that has waiting lists like that for postmenopausal/abnormal bleeding?)

Herefordshire. Both North and South. 😔🤕

But you said you had your initial scan within 2 weeks? That is nothing like 10 months for the initial scan!

You’re absolutely right. I did have a scan within the 2WW…..it’s the 70 week wait for an urgent follow up appointment that’s not acceptable.

[meno-mel]

Name a tory constituency that has waiting lists like that for postmenopausal/abnormal bleeding?)

Herefordshire. Both North and South. 😔🤕

But you said you had your initial scan within 2 weeks? That is nothing like 10 months for the initial scan!

You’re absolutely right. I did have a scan within the 2WW…..it’s the 70 week wait for an urgent follow up appointment that’s not acceptable.

Whereas if you didn't live in affluent herefordshire you'd wait 10 months for the initial scan you didn't wait 2 weeks for, then you'd be literally years on the list to get your mirena out.
I'm sorry, but you're being naive if you think that is similar.

[Ermin2trude]

Name a tory constituency that has waiting lists like that for postmenopausal/abnormal bleeding?)

Herefordshire. Both North and South. 😔🤕

But you said you had your initial scan within 2 weeks? That is nothing like 10 months for the initial scan!

You’re absolutely right. I did have a scan within the 2WW…..it’s the 70 week wait for an urgent follow up appointment that’s not acceptable.

Whereas if you didn't live in affluent herefordshire you'd wait 10 months for the initial scan you didn't wait 2 weeks for, then you'd be literally years on the list to get your mirena out.
I'm sorry, but you're being naive if you think that is similar.

I had a scan under the 2WW because of heavy bleeding 24/7, intense pain and a fever. They found my Mirena embedded in a large fibroid. I’m sorry you feel the need to belittle the removal of said Mirena.

I had it out privately. Not because I’m affluent (I’m not), but because it was severely impacting my health.

As for Herefordshire being affluent,  the NHS trust here is one of the worse performing in the country, especially in cancer care. It has nothing to do with politics. It is what it is. Awful.

And thank you for stating I’m naive……..

I hope you get your scan sooner rather than later.

[Nas]

Hi meno mel
If you were bleed free for 12 months or more, prior to taking HRT, you are indeed classed as post menopausal. Doesn’t a blood test determine that?

You were given evorel conti hrt. This is meant to be a suitable type of hrt for post meno women. For many, it does the job, but for a percentage, it can cause bleeding. If it doesn’t settle within 6 months, then yes a scan is required as per 2ww policy.

Now this is where things could be improved in my opinion.PRIOR to starting HRT, ALL women with a womb at least, should be offered a pelvic scan, to check womb lining, ovaries etc and details clearly noted for any medic to view. If whilst on HRT, bleeding occurs, then instead of a scan, then a woman should be advised to either switch product, or increase progesterone. That doesn’t happen. Instead, women are sent into a frenzy, having to report the bleeding to an ( often) clueless GP, who does the referral and then wait for said scan. To revert you back to being peri and put on a 10 MONTH wait, frankly is ludicrous!

Most post meno bleeding is caused by the hormones stimulating the womb lining, not cancer. Obviously if you have pre existing fibroids/ cysts, then these could be exacerbated by the oestrogen and a cause of the bleeding.

Why 6 months? No idea. I guess someone has decided in their wisdom, that 6 months is the cut off point for bleeding.

Then once you start bleeding, it’s what do you do about it? The big “M” word comes into the equation. Mirena we know is akin to marmite. If you don’t want a mirena, you can up always up the utrogestan. Some tolerate and some don’t. Progesterone is the black cloud for many women and I’m sure the reason why some women come off hrt ( back to those low stats again).

The truth is, unless you are womb free, HRT can mess with your body. The medics whom we end up speaking to, often just don’t know what’s happening and yes, it’s utterly frustrating I agree.

My situation is that I’ve now got a 6cm fibroid which is growing outside the womb. Pretty sure oestrogen is its food supply. What do i do? No idea.

Meno, the state of women’s health, is shocking, given we are rich country. We are given snippets of information and a few tools, then left to fathom out ourself.

In your situation, I would take myself off all hormones to see where the body is at.

Push politics aside; we are all women, who are trying to find a way forward in this minefield called menopause.

To refer to a fellow member of the group as ‘ naive ‘ is rather insulting I feel. An embedded mirena is no laughing matter and with fever and intense bleeding, utterly dangerous. A real detriment to physical and mental health.

A private scan as Kathleen mentioned, would shed some light on your bleeding issues, i am sure.

[meno-mel]

Name a tory constituency that has waiting lists like that for postmenopausal/abnormal bleeding?)

Herefordshire. Both North and South. 😔🤕

But you said you had your initial scan within 2 weeks? That is nothing like 10 months for the initial scan!

You’re absolutely right. I did have a scan within the 2WW…..it’s the 70 week wait for an urgent follow up appointment that’s not acceptable.

Whereas if you didn't live in affluent herefordshire you'd wait 10 months for the initial scan you didn't wait 2 weeks for, then you'd be literally years on the list to get your mirena out.
I'm sorry, but you're being naive if you think that is similar.

I had a scan under the 2WW because of heavy bleeding 24/7, intense pain and a fever. They found my Mirena embedded in a large fibroid. I’m sorry you feel the need to belittle the removal of said Mirena.

I had it out privately. Not because I’m affluent (I’m not), but because it was severely impacting my health.

As for Herefordshire being affluent,  the NHS trust here is one of the worse performing in the country, especially in cancer care. It has nothing to do with politics. It is what it is. Awful.

And thank you for stating I’m naive……..

I hope you get your scan sooner rather than later.

Ermin2trude, I'm kinda shocked at your response! I mean absolutely no offense whatsoever, I'm sorry if it came over that way.

I genuinely think anyone who thinks under two weeks is just like 10 months, (plus the six months before that when the postmenopausal bleeding was "ok" because I'd just started HRT), is definitely naive.

It's up to you if you want to include yourself in that group, what I said is clear to see, I've not changed it, lol.

It has everything to do with politics!

You had answered my question of, Where are there waiting lists like 10 or 16 months for an initial scan? by saying, yes you had to wait nearly two weeks for that, then had to wait a long time for something else entirely! I don't understand what your point is, other than to change the subject to your coil removal, which I didn't belittle as anyone can see for themselves, unless maybe you could point to it, help me out with what has your hackles raised?

Right I'm off to read what nas said now, my poor pounding heart from such aggression, and over what? You're offended that your not great waiting lists aren't as bad as really terrible waiting lists? Dear Goodness, it really wasn't warranted.

[meno-mel]

Hi meno mel
An embedded mirena is no laughing matter and with fever and intense bleeding, utterly dangerous. A real detriment to physical and mental health.

Excuse me?
In no place on this forum or elsewhere have I EVER belittled or laughed at any medical condition or any other member.
I was among the first to say it was completely outrageous that Ermiin2trude had to wait any time for removal. The opinion I gave was that it should be treated as an emergency.
Y'know, I don't know why I'm here defending myself

[Nas]

Just a of figure speech, meno, calm down. That’s what happens when you bring irrelevant politics into the equation; words get misconstrued.

Good luck with the scan.

[meno-mel]

Ah shoot, I thought all this crap had been deleted as trolling.

Well I didn't Calm down all night or this morning because if it isn't trolling then it is an assumption I have cancer, right?

I could only be doing this "belittling" somewhere between the lines if I was implying you had little wrong compared to me?

Anyone can see that I said nothing of the sort and I stand by what I said because I believe I'm right from the mountain of evidence to back me. I expect your hormones are all over the place after the removal, but still, try to be civil?

I said anyone believing such and such is naive, this is a firmly held opinion and I won't go into facts or figures here, it's not the place, if you are interested in learning about the state of the NHS instead of condemning me personally for observing it, then PM me and I'll provide all the info you want.

Anyway thanks to you both I cried half the night instead of sleeping because now can't get it out of my head that I must have cancer because you both assumed it from my posts and hence you mistakenly thought I was comparing cancer to septicemia and pounced on me to give me a totally undeserved kicking for apparantly belittling septicemia or whatever, it's hard to trace the cause.

I find the politics stop being irrelevant when you face death instead of timely treatment btw.

I actually find the cause behind my not being scanned completely relevant so I'll ignore the bull.

To those who were supportive in their replies, thank you.