Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: skkb on December 20, 2020, 03:19:40 PM
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Hi Hurdity, wow yes long time....how are things?
I went for the scan in Nottingham on the 17 November. The result was good, all was well and the sonographer was happy. .....”Endometrium thin and uniform measuring 3.1mm. Both ovaries appear normal. Not sure what next bit means “no free fluid, cysts or adnexal masses”.... perhaps you could enlighten me on that bit Hurdity.
The CA125 came back with a reading of 20, so I left feeling a happy bunny to continue my Sandrena gel 0.5 on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday which is enough to keep symptoms at bay.
SO how scary was it to have a slight bleed over two days Friday and Saturday!!! Nothing major but enough to put the wind up me. Nothing today, so far, but rang 111 yesterday and saw a doctor in the afternoon (which in itself was amazing, quicker than in normal times). He asked all the questions, checked my tummy (all good), urine sample and usual checks but suggested I contact my surgery on Monday as bleeding at 70 should be checked out. So I’ll do that tomorrow. Not what you need a week before Christmas in the middle of a pandemic 😷
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This is carrying on from my post in November which for some reason I couldn’t reply to, hence this new thread 🤷♀️
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Hi skkb, your scan results are excellent. What is the progestogen of your HRT regime? Why do you use the gel only 3X/week?
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Hi, the reason I pay to have the scan is because I don’t have progesterone as didn’t want bleeds anymore, so the scan , hopefully, keeps a check on my “pelvic bits” think I’ve had four scans now. However doctors really don’t like estrogen only unless you’ve had a hysterectomy. Over the years I’ve decreased the dose to three days per week which I’m hoping won’t adversely addict my uterus but keep symptoms at bay. In view of what’s just happened I’m wondering whether stopping the Sandrena to see if the sweats ceased, and when they didn’t I went back on the gel every day for a little over 3 weeks, then back to my present regime...... wonder if that caused the bleed !!
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Probably. So you are on an oestrogen only regime, why's that? Are you intolerant to progesterone? Isn't it risky? Scans can monitor endometrial thickness but not endometrial malignant transformation.
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At 70 I no longer could cope with bleeding, I’ve tried many times over the years to come off the gel completely but feel so awful I go back on.....I hope the scan would show anything abnormal, I don’t know what else to do, a hysterectomy would solve the problem!!
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Can't you use a conti regime? That would give you the progesterone you need to keep your lining thin but you shouldn't bleed.
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I haven’t found my doctor very knowledgeable about meno, I’m now thinking of asking to be referred to a gynaecologist who knows more on the subject and maybe have more success. I did my own thing out of frustration with the docs I spoke to, but fully appreciate estrogen alone when still having a uterus isn’t ideal. Originally I never thought I’d still be needing menopause medication after 70......it’s not ideal. The surgery just issue repeat prescriptions and ask no questions 🤷♀️
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Ask for a referral to a menopause clinic, gynaecologists are often clueless about menopause. It's a bit scary that they'd give you oestrogen without progesterone. I really think you need to see someone more knowledgeable.
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For the last 10 years I’ve felt totally on my own with this, most information comes from online. Think I need a specialised meno doc although reluctant to upset my “system” all over again to try something new as when something feels wrong the worry kicks in
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GP surgery just called, they’re referring me to the gynaecology department, should be about two weeks for that to come through 🤷♀️
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Hi skkb
All good here thanks - I can't remember what I said on the other thread but yes I do remember you from quite a while back and I'm chasing you down the decade ::)
You didn't say what sort of scan it was? Was it TAS ( external abdomen) or TVS ( internal vaginal with probe)? If the latter then the trauma could cause bleeding and may have been from the vagina rather than the uterus. If you are only on a low dose oestrogen and not using vaginal oestrogen then your vaginal tissues may be thin and fragile.
It would be unlikely for a TAS external scan to cause bleeding unless the pressure on your uterus caused this? However if no abnormalities were detected then these cannot be given as cause of bleeding.
Here is some info about adnexal masses:
https://www.healthline.com/health/adnexal-mass
and here is info about free fluid (Scroll down):
https://www.hadassah-med.com/medical-care/departments/obstetrics-and-gynecology-ein-karem/ultrasound/gynecologic-ultrasound/problems-of-the-uterus-and-pelvis
The thing is if no abnormalities are detected then that's great. Also your lining is thin and well below the limits for post-menopause and you're still taking HRT as well. This being the case it shows that your lining is not building up as a result of continuous oestrogen so if you continue to have scans regularly then it looks like you can agree with your doctor to continue in this way quite safely, but keeping a very close eye on things.
You will want to know what could be the cause of your bleeding - but a bleed while on HRT with a lining that thin is very unlikely to be a cause for concern - at least not re endometrial cancer, but of course should be investigated.
Maybe they will want to check your cervix too or has that already been checked?
All the best and good luck with your investigation - do let us know how you get on! :)
Hurdity x
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Thanks Hurdity, so good of you to give lots of info which is most welcome. It was a TVS scan, but that was on the 17 November......so could the bleed come at this late stage? I did stop taking the HRT for a month in the hope the all would be well but the sweats/flushes came back so intensely it was unbearable so I took the HRT again but initially every day for three weeks to get my levels back up to where they were, then once the symptoms subsided I went back to my original regime of Monday Wednesday Friday, Sandrena 0.5% (so my does is 1.5% PER WEEK) and this is where I now sit again and symptoms “almost” none which is fine for me. I’m wondering if this tinkering with the dose could have caused the bleed?
However, it has been a wake up call, I’ve always been aware that estrogen without progesterone is not a good idea as I still have a uterus and ovaries. So, I will happily go to the appointment when it comes through to get everything checked out and hopefully talk through alternative regimes with someone more knowledgeable at the hospital. My frustration with my surgery is what prompted me to do my own thing in the first place. Perhaps I became a little to complacent.
My doctor has a copy of my scan report and the CA125 which was 20. Hopefully I’ll hear soon with an appointment but with COVID and everything else that’s going on, who knows.
Have a great Christmas and thank you again, I’ll keep you posted
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I find if I tamper with the gel it def causes a type of breakthrough bleed, so could be that. :-\
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Thanks Cassie, hopefully that’s what it’ll be.
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Hi, had my gynaecologist telecon this morning, nice lady, went through the relevant information with her. She thinks the bleed was due to messing with my HRT but for my peace of mind she is sending me for a hysteroscopy, appointment should be in 2/3 weeks time so I’m happy with that. No more bleeding to date thankfully.
Now getting cystitis symptoms not burning, just lower mild tummy pain, urine tested, no infection.....always something.....just have the feeling of wanting to pee constantly, that feeling of bladder pressure. So is this separate or related. Looks like another GP surgery call. Could be stress and anxiety I suppose 🤷♀️🤦♀️
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Hi skkb, hard to know but I always had these symptoms when I had a bleed, I think that having to wear pads or tampons can predispose to local irritation and inflammation.
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I’ve spoken to the hospital this morning, really wanted reassurance regarding my appointment tomorrow. Very nice lady, said I should attend, many have cancelled!!! I asked about taking pain relief beforehand and how many people I’d come into contact with etc. I don’t have to go into the main body of the hospital and enter through maternity.....they don’t have any COVID patients in that part of the building. I’m still anxious but think I will attend taking every possible precaution I can. Hope I’m doing the right thing :o
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Hi skkb- all the best for tomorrow. Will be thinking of you. Xx
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Good luck from me too. Keep us posted.
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Hi again skkb - sorry I didn't respond to your message in late December. Have been really busy with family (still am) and haven't been on here much, but now we're completely locked down I've got a bit more time!
Just to say re pain relief if I haven't said before. My instructions were to take 2 paracetamol and 2 Ibuprofen an hour before the appointment time - and I didn't feel a thing. I also will have had a good registrar/consultant doing it. It was suggested I continue with the painkillers afterwards (I think) if if any subsequent pain felt. I can't remember if I had any spotting but I do remember I drove myself there and back so was all fine!
All the best :)
Hurdity x
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Wow thanks Hurdity.....drove yourself, excellent, you obviously felt ok then. I have 500mg paracetamol and 500mg ibuprofen and do you think one of each should suffice? Be glad when it’s all done x
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Arrived at the hospital at 3pm left by 3.22pm, contact only with two members of the team....really good. All good, healthy uterus, just a small polyp to be removed at a later appointment. Biopsy taken. Told the appointment wouldn’t be long coming through as “they’re not doing much at the moment “ ......I had previously been told that many had cancelled as too scared to go to hospital!! Relaxed now 🤗
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Hi Skkb
Good for you and hurrah that all went well.
Enjoy your evening. X
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Thankyou so much Deeble x
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Hi skkb, so many, many of us on here going through similar things at the moment.
Fantastic news that your uterus is healthy & it's all being sorted out.
Did the pain killers that Hurdity mentioned help with the pain of the procedure? I'm having a hysteroscopy soon & need something before hand as I usually end up screaming like a banshee :D
Love Cazi xx :cat48: :cat48:
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Cazikins I took a 500g paracetamol and a 500g ibuprofen one hour before my appointment. I can honestly say I didn’t feel anything.....only a slight “tug” as the probe went through the cervix!! Nurse kept chatting to me and said do “deep breathing”. Hopefully it’ll be similar when they remove the polyp, not sure what that procedure entails. Certainly didn’t feel the biopsy either, minimal scant bleeding and no tummy cramps 👍
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Letter arrived today with an appointment to remove the polyp....Friday 19th March at 8.15am!! So that’s good. Long letter explaining the procedure, which doesn’t sound fun, I’ll be given “strong painkillers” and also an injection into my cervix.....can’t wait 🥴🤦♀️
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I reckon I'll get high if I have para & ibup ;D ;D. I'm going to take them though, it sounds like they jelped you skkb. Thanks for the tip.
Injection into the cervix.... ouch, ouch & ouch again. It hurts just thinking about it.
Fingers crossed it all goes well for you.
Cazi xx
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The hysteroscopy wasn’t painful at all but reading through the info sent for the next appointment, removing the polyp, sound like a whole different ball game. They say I’ll be given STRONG painkillers and will wait about an hour for them to kick in and also might need an injection into the cervix which I shouldn’t feel as I don’t think the cervix has nerve endings.....but doesn’t sound great, then could get bleeding afterwards, pain and cramps......joy 🤦♀️