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[Catlover67]

I'm 58 and still not through menopause. I haven't had a proper period since April but have been having intermittent light spotting since July. I have a long history of fibroids which has caused years of spotting & bleeding between periods. As blood tests suggest post menopause, I was investigated on the 2ww (hysteroscopy plus biopsy). All clear but no explanation given for the bleeding although it was suggested verbally that my fibroids could be pressing on the lining but they didn't put that in the report.

I've avoided HRT as I'm worried about them making the fibroids worse, just as they've started showing signs of shrinking according to recent scans. However, aside from the spotting being a nuisance, I'm suffering from various menopausal symptoms so caved in and saw my GP today to ask for HR. She said she's reluctant as it could make the spotting & fibroids worse and is also concerned the spotting is still unexplained. Therefore, she's contacting gynae for further advice before doing anything. Quite frustrated as she's supposedly the practice's HRT/menopause expert!

Any words of wisdom or experience of this?

Thank you 😀

[Mjd74]

Hi there,

Sorry you are going through this. Do you know what kind of fibroids you have? I think some cases are easier to treat than others? If the Dr is reluctant to prescribe hrt because of this, have they suggested any treatment for the fibroids at all? x

[CLKD]

I would ask for a referral to a dedicated menopause clinic, she should know to refer sooner rather than later, not to a Gynae who probably won't know anymore than she seems to do - it mayB that your hormones are not kicking in sufficiently to cause a proper bleed hence the spotting. 

Mine waxed and waned for several years B4 disappearing  . 

[Catlover67]

Hi there,

Sorry you are going through this. Do you know what kind of fibroids you have? I think some cases are easier to treat than others? If the Dr is reluctant to prescribe hrt because of this, have they suggested any treatment for the fibroids at all? x

They are intermural, but I have previously also had submuscousal, although they seem to have shrunk. I was first diagnosed with fibroids about 12 years ago and have had 3 lots of surgery to remove them but they grew back everytime causing horrendous heavy periods and bleeding & spotting inbetween. Although the periods seem to have stopped this year, I'm still left with the spotting. With hindsight, I should have had a hysterectomy years ago but assumed menopause couldn't be far away!

[Catlover67]

I would ask for a referral to a dedicated menopause clinic, she should know to refer sooner rather than later, not to a Gynae who probably won't know anymore than she seems to do - it mayB that your hormones are not kicking in sufficiently to cause a proper bleed hence the spotting. 

Yep  I'm not expecting the gynae to be a HRT expert either

Mine waxed and waned for several years B4 disappearing  .

[sheila99]

If a hysterectomy is still an option I would take it while you still have the chance. As you know oestrogen can make fibroids grow but not being able to take hrt is a lousy option, you don't know how bad you're going to be without oestrogen. Not sure why the spotting is unexplained as you have fibroids which are known to cause it?

[Catlover67]

If a hysterectomy is still an option I would take it while you still have the chance. As you know oestrogen can make fibroids grow but not being able to take hrt is a lousy option, you don't know how bad you're going to be without oestrogen. Not sure why the spotting is unexplained as you have fibroids which are known to cause it?

Yeah, I'm coming round to that conclusion as I can't go on like this. While I think it's pretty obvious it's the fibroids given they've caused similar symptoms for years, they didn't give any explanation for the bleeding, just said that it's not cancer and discharged me which I guess is the main point of the 2ww clinic.

[Catlover67]

I would ask for a referral to a dedicated menopause clinic, she should know to refer sooner rather than later, not to a Gynae who probably won't know anymore than she seems to do - it mayB that your hormones are not kicking in sufficiently to cause a proper bleed hence the spotting. 

Yep  I'm not expecting the gynae to be a HRT expert either

Mine waxed and waned for several years B4 disappearing  .

Sorry messed up the quote. That should say:

Yep  I'm not expecting the gynae to be a HRT expert either

So yes, more time wasted!

[bombsh3ll]

Fibroids are not a contraindication to HRT and the spotting has been appropriately investigated.

If you can afford it I would go private to start treatment so that you can be comfortable whilst you have what is often a protracted battle with the NHS.

As Sheila said if you are a candidate for hysterectomy I would also aggressively pursue that too, as not only does it get rid of the fibroids it gets you off the hook for a progestogen which can be really unpleasant to take and negate some of the health benefits of estrogen.