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[lisalou72]

Hello all, I'm new here. Signed up for advice from anyone with previous similar experience.
I'm 52, my periods stopped 7 years ago (as soon as I stopped taking the contraceptive pill). I started HRT around 4 years ago, am taking Elleste Conti Duet.
At the start of the year, I had a few sharp pains where I would say my left ovary is. A few days later, I started bleeding. It lasted about 1 week.
I was referred to a gynae consultant, had scans, blood test, womb biopsy. They found an 8mm cyst which "appears benign" in my left ovary, and I was to continue having scans every few months to monitor any changes.
On my last scan 3 months ago, it had grown to 10mm, but consultant was still not concerned.
I have had odd short spells of bleeding + discharge all year. Last month I started bleeding, which lasted 2 weeks.
Now, barely a day goes by when there isn't blood, discharge or both.
I have a further appointment with the gynae consultant arranged.
Has anyone experienced this, so long after going through the menopause?
What have you been advised? What worked well? It's really worrying me

[bombsh3ll]

From what you have said this has been thoroughly investigated with nothing sinister identified. If you had any kind of gynaecological cancer it would almost certainly have been detected by these tests.

I appreciate that it's worrying, but I think you can be really reassured by these investigations.

I have had several ovarian cysts in the past, they are common and have all gone away without treatment.

My last cyst, which occurred on cerazette after I lost access to my combined pill during the pandemic, was secreting so much estrogen my levels were consistent with 12-14 weeks gestation!

If your cyst is hormonally active, the estrogen could be stimulating the endometrium and causing bleeding.

I don't know how long you have to wait for the consultant appointment but if the bleeding is distressing your GP might be willing to prescribe some progesterone or provera to stop it in the short term whilst waiting.

[lisalou72]

Thank you for your response.
I have no idea if the cyst is secreting estrogen, or if it is hormonally active. I have not been told anything by the consultant.
My concern is over the fact that it has grown in a 3 month time frame, and my bleeding continues, when I haven't had any in the 7 years prior to my sharp pains and initial bleeding early this year.
I am aware of cases where cysts have "appeared benign" and within a year cancer has been diagnosed.
With so much pressure on the NHS, I worry that my appointments are being dealt with quickly, reply by letter and no actual explanation as to what is causing this.

[Summer-sky]

Hello LisaLou,
I'm sorry you have this worry.  Can you go back to the referring GP and ask more questions about the consultant gynae's report?  I think as you are being monitored, then you need to know what kind of cyst this is and some more information on it - just for peace of mind more than anything.  When do you next see the consultant?  Maybe it would be good to push for a repeat lot of tests that you had at the start of the year as the bleeding is ongoing and with discharge.  I've experienced a number of gynae things through the years (including ovarian cysts that have eventually resolved themselves and disappeared)  and you do have to push when things just don't feel right or unusual for you.  I don't doubt you are pushing but keep knocking on the door to get some more detailed answers than what you are getting from the consultant with 'appears benign'. Also if it's hormonally driven.  What exactly are the changes they are looking out for by monitoring you and reasons for your symptoms.  Bleeding can be from other things and doesn't mean it is anything sinister and your sharp pain low down on the left too but ongoing anxiety about the 'what it could be' is tricky to handle in itself.  x