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[wuzzie]

I’m starting to feel anxious and hoping some of you may identify with this or shed any light on it all.

I’m 65 been on oestrogel 2 pumps and Utrogestan since I was 52. 

About 5 years ago I rang my meno specialist in London as I was starting to get nervous about the continuous regime bearing in mind my mother died of breast cancer.  He recommended taking the progesterone for ten days each month instead which I have done ever since. 

Six weeks ago I visited my Dr because I had vaginal itching and she recommended upping my oestrogel from 2 to 3 pumps which I did. 

Then just before Christmas I noticed a sudden back and stomach discomfort, went to the loo and passed a clot of blood and some fresh blood on the loo paper.  I was worried so went back to the Dr. (different one) who said I should have been on at least 14 days of Utrogestan which worries me and is referring me on the 2 week pathway.

I haven’t had any bleeding since but I still have this kind of burny/twingy pain/discomfort in my lower central back and tummy particularly when sitting which is worrying me.  To throw another spanner in the works I did get constipated over the Christmas period (all that lovely food just clogs me up and is totally different to my normal diet) and it feels like a bit of IBS but it’s worrying me that it could be linked to the blood thing perhaps?  The Dr did an internal and said my cervix looked ok.

Can any of you throw any light on all of this.  I’m wondering whether the advice I was given about the Utrogestan was wrong and I haven’t been protecting my uterus.  My scan is booked for Wednesday so not too long to wait but I’m starting to worry it could be something serious as I’ve never had any issues with bleeding before.

Thanks so much for listening.

[bombsh3ll]

The recommended duration of cyclical progestogen is 10 days or more.

Two pumps of gel is also not a lot, so it's not as if you have been on high dose estrogen all this time either.

Bleeding that occurs within the first 6 months of a change in hormone therapy is not normally considered a red flag and doesn't warrant a 2ww referral.

However they may be a bit twitchy about the fact that you are on cyclical progesterone as well, as guidelines generally recommend continuous use over the long term.

(I personally don't agree with blanket recommendations that prioritise avoidance of a single disease with low prevalence and high cure rates at the expense of multiple other clinical outcomes eg breast cancer risk, quality of life, cardiovascular disease and cognitive health, all of which show favourable outcomes with cyclical vs continuous, however those are the guidelines they are working with.)

At least you will be scanned quickly then I would recommend another discussion with your private consultant, informed by the lining thickness on your scan.

It is also a good idea if on individualised treatment with either a lower dose or shorter duration of progesterone than the NHS recommends, to have an annual pelvic scan privately to monitor your endometrium, that way you know you are covering all bases.

[wuzzie]

Thanks so much for the reply, appreciate it and you offer good advice that I will take on board.  I think I’m over-thinking which I suppose is normal.  if I didn’t have the sensation in my lower back and tummy I probably wouldn’t be worrying so much.

[Pinkwindsor21]

I actually thought that I was reading one of my own posts!!! 

I have had all of this since Christmas!

The burning cramping pain was so bad that I even ended up in A&E! I'm 57 and I've had spotting and bleeding thick brown blood for the last month. I have been taking 3 pumps Gel and 100mg daily Utrogestan since November with hardly any bleeds to report before that. I was taking constant ibuprofen and codeine for the pain so I ended up constipated, plus I ate too much over Christmas. My back hurt, my ribcage.... my tummy... honestly almost exactly the same as you! My Mum had ovarian cancer by the way.

Well.... I took a cancellation ultrasound today and my womb lining is completely normal. I still have faint cramps and spotting (No burning agony pain like I was having) and it has been put down to hormone imbalance. I now have an appointment with a private menopause HRT consultant and she is going to help with the balance. But straight away, she advised that I took 200mg instead of 100mg.

So hold on in there! 

[wuzzie]

That’s very reassuring for me, thank you for posting that.  I’m so pleased your scan is ok.  I have mine tomorrow.  I’ll report back.  It’s so difficult to work out what’s going on, with so many organs one can easily affect the other and our minds go into overdrive! I recommend Professor Studds menopause clinic in London.  They have been brilliant for me but not cheap!!!

[Pinkwindsor21]

No problem at all! Thinking of you with your ultrasound today. Remember to be really hydrated! 

I have also gone private, not cheap, but at 'my age' I need a lot more advice from my GP!!

[wuzzie]

Bless you, thank you so much. I’m just waiting to leave my appointment is at 2pm so feeling very anxious right now.  Will report back!

[Pinkwindsor21]

You’ll be fine 

[wuzzie]

Just an update to say everything was fine.  My uterus was actually 3.8mm and no fibroids, polyps or nasties.  What a relief.  They did say I should be on Utrogestan every day rather than 10 days but will see what my menopause specialist says once I’ve resurfaced.  Thank you so much for your posts which helped a lot.  Hopefully any ladies out there reading this can take some comfort from the fact that you can have these strange symptoms and be ok.   

[Pinkwindsor21]

That's brilliant!!! 

[wuzzie]

Thanks so much.  Are you ok?

[Pinkwindsor21]

I'm fine thank you, just trying to get some relief from the cramping which I really don't need at nearly 58 years old! No suggestions help and it's been going on since I switched my HRT method so I'm riding it out with hot water bottles! My GP was very unhelpful and my private appointment is in Feb! 

[wuzzie]

I have the same, hot water bottle strapped on! I’m thinking maybe the upping of dose/bleed upset my uterus somehow, it feels inflamed.  Sounds like you have the same.

[Northerngirl]

Brilliant news wuzzie....hope you feel better soon x

[wuzzie]

Thanks you, I’m just so relieved.  The women on here are such a support 💕