Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Catlover67]

Anyone experienced this prior to entering menopause?

Until last year I had never missed a period but the gaps inbetween them were erratic (could vary from 2-6 weeks). I was also no stranger to spotting due to ongoing fibroids which I've had 3 ops for over a 12 year period. Over the last couple of years my periods have been much lighter (previously horrendous with flooding) but could last at least 10 days.

This year I had a light period in January,  slight spotting in February, a 10 week gap followed by a light period in April. Then nothing until July when I started spotting roughly ever 2 weeks and still am. GP was concerned as I am 58 so have been fully checked out - ultrasound, hysteroscopy & biopsy. All clear apart from fibroids which have shrunk slightly since last ultrasound a year ago. They suggested the fibroids might be pressing on the lining causing the spotting. FSH very high suggesting menopause or at least very close.

While I'm reassured it's nothing sinister it's a bleeding nuisance (literally!) despite being very light. I'm wondering if it will ever end! I've avoided HRT to date as I'm worried it will aggravate the fibroids but considering it as I do also have a lot of other menopausal symptoms. Will even stop the bleeding. Could it make it worse?

Surely I will enter full menopause shortly. Did anyone else's periods end this way?

Thanks!

[CLKD]

Yep.  It's The Change, when periods wax and wane. Some find that bleeds stop and that's it; 4 me it was 2-3 years B4 they disappeared. Mother Nature can throw in more bleeds after we've been free - 12-18 months without is hopeful  so we need to begin counting all over again!

Which symptom would U like to ease first? 

[Tazzy]

Can someone help ive been on femeston conti for a 4years and actually thought I was way passed post menopausal but recently have had very low mood and sore boobs. Don't know what to do. I'm 61 and stopped periods at 51

[CLKD]

R these symptoms cyclical?  Ovaries may still pump out oestrogen long after the final period, mine was in 2002 and for many years I would get the 'oh no! not after all this time' without progressing to a period.  Who is overseeing your HRT?

[bombsh3ll]

Nobody has to put up with unwanted bleeding or spotting and there are multiple treatment options to get rid of this that you could discuss with your GP.

Fibroids are not a contraindication to MHT, however if you have made an informed choice not to take estrogen based on science not fear, there are a number of progestin only options that could have you bleed free without estrogen.

[Catlover67]

Thanks. The spotting really isn't very much and seems to be getting lighter, literally a couple of wipes and then it disappears for a few days or sometimes a week or so.It's the unpredictability that stresses me. I haven't has an actual period since April,and that was lighter & shorter than usual. Will it likely stop altogether soon in anyone's experience? My symptoms seem to come & go too (mostly feeling hot, poor sleep, joint aches & pains, anxiety, brain fog). Just as I start thinking "right I need HRT NOW" I start feeling OK again. I'm just scared HRT will make things worse which makes me keep putting it off. I'm torn.

[bombsh3ll]

Then yes it absolutely will disappear in its own sweet time however nobody can predict when.

Regarding hormone therapy, I think it is important to also consider the long term health risks of not replacing your ovarian hormones rather than just focusing on short term symptom palliation.

[Catlover67]

What are the long term health risks of not replacing the ovarian hormones? I'm also worried about the health risks & side effects of HRT such as slightly increased breast cancer risk & the fibroids growing again (especially as my last scan showed they're finally starting to shrink)

[Catlover67]

Just had another small show of blood (last one 3 days ago) so can't go on like this indefinitely, even though it is only light. Will go back to GP & see what they suggest now anything sinister has been ruled out.

[CLKD]

HRT can protect heart and bones.  But no need to panic, this can be achieved by regular exercise and a good diet with a few treats added in ;-)

There is very little risk of any cancer being caused/triggered by replacement.  Which symptom would you like to ease with HRT?  Do remember that vaginal atrophy treatment is such a small amount that it is unlikely to cause any problems.

Perhaps keeping a mood/food/symptom diary until the New Year 2 C how you feel overall?  Something to discuss with your prescribing physician.