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[Dierdre]

Just had my scan results today and was surprised to be told i had small fibroid and signs of endometriosis. I'm ten years postmeno and never had either of these things ever before, no symptons other than pelvic pain that lasted about six weeks, hence the scan but have been pain free now for about a month. Doctor said she wasnt concerned but writing to my gynae to ask if we need to follow up or do nothing and monitor. Ive had no bleeding at all and im only on vagifem and ovestin so confused whats made these grow as its usually oestrogen. I had a scan 2 years ago and it was completely clear.  Anyone else developed this postmenopausal?

[Krystal]

At the age of 62 I was definitely menopausal. I was prescribed Vagifem and this was not for me. My GP now prescribes SYLK for vaginal dryness which I use once a day. SYLK does not cure vaginal atrophy it does help make things more comfortable in the vaginal area. If you are concerned go back to your GP and ask for reassurance.

[Dierdre]

Update after seeing gynae yesterday. I havent got endometriosis, the scan shows an ill defined 8mm portion of the lining. Going for another scan next week to determine if this is fibroid tissue and that the rest of the lining is less than 5mm. If so, no action and to monitor as no other symptoms. Anyone else had this, they dont seem overly concerned and told to carry on with Vagifem and Ovestin as normal.

[Jari]

Hi Deidre

Do you take hrt?

I took it for a short time, but stopped it as it caused multiple problems for me, one of those being that it caused a fibroid to grow.

As far as I am aware estrogen causes the lining of the womb to thicken and it can also cause the growth of fibroids.

[Dierdre]

Hi Jari,
Ive been on local estrogen for 5 years and the gynae said its such a minute dose so not connected. I did take full HRT (conti Femseven patches) for six months but stopped over 18 months ago. I had a scan 2 years ago before going on full HRT and all the lining was 4mm then so this portion has grown during the last 2 years.

[Jari]

Hi Deidre.
I took the gel estrogen just 2 pumps a day, which I reduced to 1 pump a day because of the trouble it was causing me. I only took it for nearly 3 months and in that time it caused a fibroid to grow.
The gynae i saw said that she had seen a lady where her fibroid was hiding a cancer growth, so she told me I should have it removed. I chose not to and since stopping hrt it has gone.
I might have another scan at some point just out of interest to have a check..
The gynae wanted me to have the scan after coming off hrt to check how thick lining was and if I needed progesterone which sheds the lining causing a bleed.

Difficult to get the right balance I think and definitely worth having regular scans when taking hrt. X

[Dierdre]

So it could have grown while i was on the full HRT for 6 months and will take time to shrink.  Ive no bleeding or other symptoms and wouldnt have known if I hadnt had the scan, I will have a biopsy if they are still concerned after the scan.

[Jari]

Yes I'm sure you?ll see on the scan. If you are off the hrt I am sure it will shrink on its own.

Estrogen causes fibroids to grow so as we get older we do not tend to have trouble with them with our naturally reducing estrogen levels.

X

[Sparrow]

Fibroids normally shrink after the menopause.  Existing Fibroids usually do not shrink if on HRT and sometimes they do grow (Dr. Louise Newton's website). If HRT is discontinued Fibroids usually begin shrinking.

[Jari]

Hi Birdy. That is good you have had a scan to show that yours has not grown.

I have a history of estrogen receptive cancer in family so I have always had regular scans.

Before I took hrt I had no fibroid. After hrt it was there, albeit small, but apart from that, it was my gynae meno specialist that told me hrt caused it to grow. Fibroids are estrogen dependant as are some breast cancers.

I also had a bone scan last year which was interesting.

I am pleased that your hrt has not caused you any problems.

[Katejo]

Hi Birdy. That is good you have had a scan to show that yours has not grown.

I have a history of estrogen receptive cancer in family so I have always had regular scans.

Before I took hrt I had no fibroid. After hrt it was there, albeit small, but apart from that, it was my gynae meno specialist that told me hrt caused it to grow. Fibroids are estrogen dependant as are some breast cancers.

I also had a bone scan last year which was interesting.

I am pleased that your hrt has not caused you any problems.

You mention a bone scan. One of the advantages of HRT is to prevent osteoporosis. One of the reasons why I am trying it apart from VA.

[Jari]

Hi Katejo.

Yes I did hear that hrt can help for osteoporosis. I think that when you stop hrt those benefits are lost. The risk of fractures, I believe, are greatest around the age of 75.

I do not take hrt but my bone scan showed no problems for osteoporosis, but I will likely have another scan in a couple of years. If it shows the start of osteopenia at any point in future I will increase calcium intake and possibly drugs for osteoporosis if it might be a problem.

Have you had a bone scan Katejo? Are you at particular risk of osteo?

[Katejo]

Hi Katejo.

Yes I did hear that hrt can help for osteoporosis. I think that when you stop hrt those benefits are lost. The risk of fractures, I believe, are greatest around the age of 75.

I do not take hrt but my bone scan showed no problems for osteoporosis, but I will likely have another scan in a couple of years. If it shows the start of osteopenia at any point in future I will increase calcium intake and possibly drugs for osteoporosis if it might be a problem.

Have you had a bone scan Katejo? Are you at particular risk of osteo?

My last scan showed mild osteopenia and I take a low dose of Tegretol which can affect the bone density.

[Hurdity]

Update after seeing gynae yesterday. I havent got endometriosis, the scan shows an ill defined 8mm portion of the lining. Going for another scan next week to determine if this is fibroid tissue and that the rest of the lining is less than 5mm. If so, no action and to monitor as no other symptoms. Anyone else had this, they dont seem overly concerned and told to carry on with Vagifem and Ovestin as normal.

Hi Dierdre - I see the topic has moved away from the subject of your post - fibroids but yes I'll tell you my experience.

I had some spotting after sex a few times about 7 years ago (6 years after starting HRT). Was sent for scan. Showed thickened lining (to be expected as I was on cyclical HRT so it was at the part in my cycle where it would be thicker). The Transvaginal scan showed an irregularity in the lining so was sent for hystersocopy and biopsy. The hyster showed that I had a small fibroid of 0.8 cm (ie 8 mm) and biopsy was all clear - so that was unlikely to have been the cause of spotting. I am on full systemic HRT medium dose patches and have been for 13 years now.

For reference a relative had a big one in her early 60's which was the size of a grapefruit and she had to have a hysterectomy.

A few years later - last year - I bled on the last day of the combi part of my cycle so mentioned to doc at my HRT review and said i was worried if the fibroid had grown so had another scan (TVS) and in fact the fibroid had shrunk to 0.6 cm (6 mm) after a fuirther 6 years (on full HRT) not grown.

So the position is that taking HRT MAY cause existing fibroids to grow but NOT necessarily and as I say mine shrunk. If you already have large fibroids at time of menopause then maybe continuing with medium to high dose of HRT will mean they don't shrink or maybe grow but most definitely depends on each individual circumstance.

In any case if they are not bleeding and not painful then there is not a problem anyway. As far as I know fibroids are harmless if left and it is only polyps that need removal in case they become cancerous.

So all in all Deirdre I would say hopefully nothing to worry about - although I would always accept investigations that are offered as it's always good to know about our innards  .

Hurdity x

[Jari]

Hi Katejo. My bone scan showed borderline osteopenia in spine but they said no need for anything at this point. Interesting re your med, I will keep a note of that.

Re fibroids, Deidre I took oestrogel and I do not know how that compares to your Ovestin. Do you have a leaflet in the box it comes in?

For oestrogel re fibroids it says:

Warnings: tell doc if ever had migraine, fibroids, high blood pressure etc etc list goes on... it says these may become worse during treatment with oestrogel. If so you should see your doc for more check ups.

It also says when you have mamograms to make sure to tell them as oestrogel can increase density of breast and the mamograms may  therefore not detect all lumps.

This is for oestrogel, but it would be interesting to know what it says in your leaflet for ovestin? X