Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Greenfields on January 10, 2025, 11:59:15 AM
-
Hi,
Has anyone had a period after months of not having one? Im 59 and not had one since last April, when i then came off HRT and now im bleeding. Im now in meltdown with worry, my health anxiety since starting the menopause has taken over my life, im so sick of worrying and going into panic mode! I do take Vagirux when and as needed, i wasn't sure if it was that?
-
Morning.
Breath! Hormones rise and fall as we go into peri. Which HRT regime were you prescribed and how long did U use it?
It may well be your own hormones as the effects of replacement wears off.
As for Vagirux: this should be used nightly for 2-3 weeks then as necessary, i.e. every 3rd and 5/6th night. This keeps the vagina less dry.
R U able to describe the bleed: heavy, light, intermittent: if the vaginal walls are thin there may be a 'show' on wiping.
-
Try not to panic as this seems to be quite common and several of my colleagues have also been through this. They are all absolutely fine and were just referred to gynae for a check up. It's very likely nothing at all but always best to let your GP know in case they want to get it properly checked out by gynae.
-
Hi, thank you for your replies, it's a very lonely place when you are worrying and feel on your own! I was on the Ostrogel and utergestron originally since 2021, then i changed to the Evoral 50 patches last April 2024, very briefly as i was still struggling, but they caused me to have heavy periods so i decided to come off HRT all together. Since then i had slight spotting in may and nothing since until today. It does feel like a period, not heavy but definitely bleeding. I did have Vagirux last night, i tend to use when i need them tbh. I have seen the GP this afternoon who examined me and has made an urgent referral because she said this should not be happening at 59yrs old, i didn't feel very reassured and dreading waiting now to find out what's going on! :'(
-
The vagina requires constant oestrogen replacement. Do U have atrophy? MayB you don't require any treatment at all. For me it was like razor blades up there with occasional urine infection-type symptoms: urine tests were negative, my GP diagnosed me over the 'phone and prescribed 'ovestin' now sold as 'estriol'.
Your GP is following the correct guidelines. 'urgent' is a word that is worrying but means that you should be seen within 2-3 weeks, though with staff sickness levels this may B a few weeks longer.
-
Urgent referral sounds really scary but as CLKD says this is the guidelines they all have to follow. My colleagues were put on the 2 week urgent referral pathway too. This is standard protocol for any abnormal bleeding. It's way more likely that there's nothing wrong...try to put it out of your mind between now and your appointment. Easier said than done I know but trying to keep busy and distract with other tasks will help x
-
I really do appreciate all your replies, i am so scared, so thank you!
-
What's the worst that could happen ?
-
Im petrified of cancer!
-
As many are, both male and female. I was more worried about treatment than the disease, also whether panic attacks would stop me attending sessions. Staff are used to patients needs support and explanation so take along a list of worries to appts.
-
Greenfields I completely understand. I’m on the 2 week pathway being seen Tuesday for hysteroscopy - not looking forward to that! I have thickened womb lining and possible polyp. Yes I am worried but my GP and the nurse I spoke to today have said it is so common when on HRT. I’m trying to remain positive - it’s hard. Support here has been amazing so hand in there. It’s important to get checked out
-
Hi Greenfields
Sorry to hear about this. Yes it is worrying but as the others have said, the doctors are doing the right thing in referring you immediately to see what's going on. It is very unlikely that the bleed is due to a natural ovulation at 59 but it cannot be ruled out - there wil be a few outliers of very late menopause. However you will know from what your periods were doing before you started HRT whether this is possible.
When you took oestrogel and utrogestan before - was this continuously or cyclical utrogestan? What dose of each did you take? Did you have periods with this regime? Also when you used Evorel 50 did you carry on taking the utrogestan? I'm interested that this gave you heavy periods and wondering why?
Hope you don't mind the questions but it help to build up a picture of what could be going on - though obviously only the scan and other investigations will determine that.
Please try not to worry even though this is understandable and try to focus on something else over these next two weeks to take your mind off it.
Hurdity x
-
Morning Hurdity - lots to catch up on here !
-
Morning CLKD! I'm not going to even try!
Hurdity x
-
:rofl:
I knew my variable periods were 'the change' so I wasn't unduly worried. Regular, then missed several etc..
-
Hiall
Its been a bit of whirlwind lately with a lot going on and plenty of stress, i couldn't come back on here because the slightest thing sent me into a spiral of panic and terror.
In may 23 went back on Utrogeston 100mg x 2 and Estradiol 2 metered dose for 14 days and Vagirux, 1 everyday initially then as needed. I changed to Evorel 50 in April 24, had heavy period so came off HRT all together.
I had my urgent appointment, i had another tiny polyp that was removed, that came back normal and the scan she said was ok. I mentioned the blood test that i had through a nutritionist which appeared to show that i had ovulated and hence the period, but everyone has said this cannot happen, my Oestrogen was a bit higher too. My hot flushes stopped aswell around xmas time.
I had a private scan before this appointment however, as i was unsure how long i would have to wait, they couldn't see my left ovary, but said there was right paraovarian cyst, cervical and uterine fibroids, and right small ovary. The consultant at the hospital did not say this.
I have since had a private appointment with a gyne who looked at the scan and just said the fibroids were tiny and that my oestrogen was a bit high 524 (postmenopause<505), so had a blood test which im waiting for the results.
My cortisol was high on the nutritionist private blood test, but i get really stressed and i had got really fat this last year or 2 and i have an under active thyroid, T4 ok T3 a little low.
I guess i just dont understand after having menopause symptoms, hot flushes etc, why they stopped and seemed to have a period.
Its all so anxiety provoking !
-
Whoooaaa. .......... you have a lot going on.
Does the Private Nutritionist sell products?
You seem to be chasing various appts. and getting different reports. Did the Gynae look at the scan done B4 the appt.? I would be asking for a scan report from the Consultant which when paying, should be sent directly to the patient, copy to GP.
Hormonal blood tests can be reliably un-reliable. Cortisol surges can cause huge anxiety surges, I would wake in the early hours suddenly, absoltuyel terrified :'(. I may have said, my GP prescribed Propranolol which helped.
Any unexplained bleeding if 1 has been period free for 2+ years should be investigated. Which symptom would U like to ease?
-
I did get a report from the Private transvaginal scan, i gave this to my GP and to the private Gnye. i was investigated on the 2 week wait but then nothing further aside from the polyp result. i did contact the NHS consultant afterwards and sent her the scan results too and she has kept an open appointment for me should i need to go back.
The private Gyne did not know how long the blood test would take to come back, so it's agonising waiting.
i guess my biggest worry is why my Oestrogen and other female hormones were up, like i had ovulated and the bleed did feel like a period. Ive tried to stop looking online because the anxiety just gets unbearable.
My Gp is checking the cortisol again, i have blood test this week.
My nuritionist has advised what supplements i need to get the cortisol and uric acid down, (that was highish too), so i dont get them from her but from the supplier she recommends.
-
The latter - cortisol and uric acid results - need 2B discussed with your GP and Gynae to double check that U R using necessary supplements.
My periods waxed and waned for several years: regular but at last pain free then disappeared for months ::). During 2002 I realised that they had stopped. 8)
-
Hi I am sure there is nothing serious going down and well done on getting the polyp removed did the private gynae do that at the time of consultation in the rooms or did you have to be admitted?
-
The polyp was on my cervix and was removed by the consultant on the NHS 2 week appointment, its the 3rd time ive had it removed presuming its the same one!
GP has seen my blood test results, hence my blood test regarding the cortisol on Wednesday.
-
Let us know how you get on!