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[Yenal25]

Hi – I am new on here, although can see from the varying topics that are discussed on this amazing forum, that I wished I had joined much sooner.
 
I am 59 years old (May), nearly 2 years post-menopause (end July) and have been taking HRT for just over 18 months.  It took me a considerable amount of time to make the decision to start taking HRT as my symptoms didn’t start to progressively worsen until I was actually post-menopause.  I am on continuous HRT;  Evorel 50 patches and Utogrestran 100mg capsules.
 
On the odd occasion since I started taking HRT, I have had the smallest amount of brown discharge but in all honestly thought it was just part and parcel of the HRT and being post-menopause.  A few months ago, I noticed the brown discharge was becoming more frequent i.e.  once a month, lasting up to 7 days.  It was only visible on tissue paper following urination.  It feels like I’m having a period from what I previously experienced, they would typically last 7-9 days, starting and ending with brown discharge which would last a couple of days either end.  I don’t have any other symptoms e.g. pain / discomfort when I urinate or during or after intercourse.
 
With the above, I noticed that I was having period type pains and some of the original menopause symptoms were returning;  brain fog, sleep difficulties, increased anxiety.  My initial thoughts were that perhaps my menopause medication needed to be reviewed and changed but following a GP appointment, I was referred for internal and external scans, which I had last Tuesday.   On Friday, I received an appointment letter for an endometrial biopsy next Monday.  I have not been advised of the results of the scans.  Needless to say, my anxiety has gone through the roof and I am very concerned that it is something more series.
 
Has anyone else had the same experiences?  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[jillydoll]

Hi.

I had bleeding after being on hrt for 9 years. (Post meno at 50) had to have a biopsy, ( last October) all was ok, my lining thickened which is why I bled. Wasn’t absorbing the progesterone from my hrt tablets, so had to change to gel and utrogestion. This was in January.
I know it’s worrisome, but you could be just like me, a thickened lining, mine was irregular apparently, found more in peri menopausal women, hence the biopsy. My anxiety was sky high, and at the time, my blood pressure was very high too, but I had a lot of stress at the same time at home.
Maybe you need to change or up your hrt. Hopefully your gynaecologist will advise.

I still get period type pains now, but I’m sure it’s the side effect of hrt. In fact I have  it now, and every time I go the bathroom, I expect to see blood, but I don’t. It’s very weird. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Try not to worry, ( she says,  )  but I totally understand why you’re stressed.
Hopefully it’ll be nothing, and it’s good you’re being investigated, and you’ll get it sorted once and for all. 🙏🏼

Jd. X

[CLKD]

Morning.  At the end of each period I would miss a day then have a brown 'show', enough to wear a pad.  Normal for me.  It's probably due to not enough hormone at the end of the cycle to push any blood through. 

Even after my periods stopped, I would get period-like symptoms and think "OH! no not after all this time!".  Mine waxed and waned for several years B4 stopping in late 2002. 

The Change  . 

As for the appt., was this requested by your GP?  It is part of a normal procedure to check the womb lining - once you have a measurement you have a base line from which to work.  Let us know how you get on.

[Yenal25]

Thank you both Jd & CLKD for your replies  .  It is reassuring to know that others have had similar experiences.

@CLKD were you taking HRT at the time?

It was my GP that made the referral. I can’t fault her for being thorough. Bearing in mind the bad press the NHS receives a lot of the time, they have stayed within the 2 weeks timescales for both the scans and biopsy.

I will update you again next week following the biopsy.

Thanks again 

[CLKD]

I took The Pill from age 16 for 11 years B4 being sterilised.  So no HRT during those early years, it was 'normal for me'.  As well as the brown discharge I had itching high up for 24 hours probably due to dryness  . 

Keep us updated.

[Jules]

Thank you both Jd & CLKD for your replies  .  It is reassuring to know that others have had similar experiences.

@CLKD were you taking HRT at the time?

It was my GP that made the referral. I can’t fault her for being thorough. Bearing in mind the bad press the NHS receives a lot of the time, they have stayed within the 2 weeks timescales for both the scans and biopsy.

I will update you again next week following the biopsy.

Thanks again 

You are entitled to ask the results of your scans. It's your body.i would definitely be asking. My radiographer told me at the time but also my GP told me.

[Penguin]

I agree with Jules, you should have been given the results of your internal and external scans, rather than have to wait for the biopsy. You may well find that it something else simple they are looking for, and nothing scary. Can you phone up and ask? Our surgery has a set time each day that they provide results when you call. Or book a telephone call with your GP if they have one available.

[Jules]

I agree with Jules, you should have been given the results of your internal and external scans, rather than have to wait for the biopsy. You may well find that it something else simple they are looking for, and nothing scary. Can you phone up and ask? Our surgery has a set time each day that they provide results when you call. Or book a telephone call with your GP if they have one available.

My surgery has that too. If they feel they cant explain it they get a doctor to phone. You wouldnt take your car into the garage for a diagnostics if the mechanic hadn't told you why. And as you say it might well be something that could give reassurance

[shrosphirelass]

Try not to worry too much. Most bleeding on HRT is innocent. I have had lots of episodes and scans showing thickened lining and free fluid. However, hysteroscopy and biopsy all normal.

Like the others say Id try and find out what the scan results were. I'd ring and try to speak to the doctor.

[Elizabethlovejoy]

My scan result was printed in full  on my nhs app. Might be worth a look. Under tests and results section I think

[Yenal25]

Good morning  . Thank you again for sharing your experiences.

I checked my NHS record but results from the scans are currently not recorded. I also called the surgery who advised that they haven’t yet received them. I have also called the gynae clinic and am still awaiting a call back!

My appointment is on Monday so I will hopefully get some answers then

[Jules]

I think it illustrates the disparity in treatment across nhs trusts. My radiographer talked through as she was scanning, she told me exactly what she'd found and what it likely was. Perhaps she shouldn't have but she talked to me on the level and why not, it's my body and health. Her conclusions were correct too. I hope you go on ok. Make sure you ask your questions.

[bluemczoo]

Morning all. Yenal25, this is routine now. Try not to worry. I had the same issues, turns out I wasn’t absorbing progesterone and my lining just thickened naturally, then shed - like a light period. If you can get the NHS app, they put all documents on there. Although I found myself checking it constantly which also causes anxiety 😥 It does take some time to get the results though. Good luck for your appointment x

[discogirl]

hi bluemczoo

Sorry for jumping in but I have a similar problem with absorbing progesterone. Could I ask what did yiu end up doing for your progesterone x

[bluemczoo]

Hi Discogirl - I got the coil fitted last week. In my latest routine, I should be bleeding but so far a very light spotting. So fingers crossed this is working. Double dose oral progesterone made me feel like a zombie. With the coil, cramps and crazy dreams!