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[Clovie]

Hello, any advice or similar experience please?
I'm still having regular bleeds at my age, periods have never stopped.
I'm on HRT and have withdrawal bleeds from HRT once every 2 or 3months to make sure my lining sheds,  plus my own regular 'periods'. (I say periods because I have PMT symptoms before them, they happen once a month or twice a month recently, and always last a full 5/6 days just like periods do.  No spotting, no pain on sexual activity, no abdominal pain).

Anyway my Gp is sending me for investigations because I must be postmenopausal??? I'm not! I've never stopped. I'm unusual but it's not unheard of to still be menstruating. My mother was late too.
The reason is I am anaemic due to heavy bleeds/withdrawal bleeds.
Had an exam today in GP office,  Cervix appears healthy  and pelvic examination is normal.

I am afraid to have investigations,  (SEVERE medical anxiety) don't really want them but realise I SHOULD and wonder if I can be sedated for them?

Any input very welcome, and thank you so much for reading.

[CLKD]

Your GP don't know much!   Peri-menopause is the years (are the years  ) when we become aware that our periods are waxing and waning until suddenly, gone.  Mine took about 3 years B4 I realised that they had finished.  Fortunately I haven't had symptoms since other than vaginal atrophy.

Menopause = the last monthly period.  We are advised to count 12 months clear of any bleeds to establish menopause proper, Nature however! then we have to begin all over again from period 1.  The Change - does what it says on the tin.

I believe that a few ladies here are still having regular periods over the age of 55. Hopefully will be along!

What has your GP suggested regarding the anemia?  U do not have to undergo any tests etc., this is your body.  I would suggest that you ask for a referral to an NHS Menopause Clinic sooner rather than later because of the waiting lists.  Due probably to recent publicity which some GPs simply aren't getting!

I would say that you know your body so don't panic.  Let us know how you get on. 

[Clovie]

Thank you CLKD, for your reply.
I'm very much of the same mind as you, in your reply.

I'm pretty sure these are still actual periods rather than sinister bleeding. I've never missed more than one month at a time so def not post menopausal. They always last 5/6 days and never any one-off spotting, or bleedding lasting longer than my period would.

I am going along with it, despite being made to feel like a bit of a freak for thinking/believing I'm still menstruating.
Yes there COULD be something wrong but just because I'm bleeding at my age doesn't mean the worst case scenario. (She actually said she's concerned I have uterine cancer!  Not fibroids or anything much more likely!?)

I feel like my body is not my own and although of course I want to rule out anything sinister I also don't want unnecessary investigations.

I have offered to trial continuous Utrogestan from today to see if that helps.
For the anaemia they prescribed iron tablets.

Thanks for 'listening' ...

[GraceM]

You could have a pelvic ultrasound to see if there are fibroids.  That is non invasive.  If they want to do a vaginal one you can decline.  The pelvic ultrasound should pick up on any fibroids that may be causing the bleeding.  But as you say your bleeding is as regular as it always has been, its probably just late onset of menopause.

[sheila99]

Yes, I've been in the same situation as you. Aged 60 asked gp if there was anything to worry about as sequi hrt didn't always induce a bleed and mentioned the 2 periods I'd had recently. Cue panic and investigation for 'unexpected bleeding'. As you say you know when it's a period but there seems to be a textbook somewhere that says everyone is menopausal by 54. It's your choice if you want investigations or not but you could go for an ultrasound and take it from there. As above, the scan is non invasive. If they want you to go for further investigation you could ask for a telephone appointment first where you can discuss it with a specialist. I asked if they'd be investigating if I was 10 years younger and they said no.

[Clovie]

You could have a pelvic ultrasound to see if there are fibroids.  That is non invasive.  If they want to do a vaginal one you can decline.  The pelvic ultrasound should pick up on any fibroids that may be causing the bleeding.  But as you say your bleeding is as regular as it always has been, its probably just late onset of menopause.

Great suggestion, thank you Grace. Am seeing GP again on Monday so will ask.
I get the impression she is looking to jump straight to urgent more invasive though ...

[Clovie]

Yes, I've been in the same situation as you. Aged 60 asked gp if there was anything to worry about as sequi hrt didn't always induce a bleed and mentioned the 2 periods I'd had recently. Cue panic and investigation for 'unexpected bleeding'. As you say you know when it's a period but there seems to be a textbook somewhere that says everyone is menopausal by 54. It's your choice if you want investigations or not but you could go for an ultrasound and take it from there. As above, the scan is non invasive. If they want you to go for further investigation you could ask for a telephone appointment first where you can discuss it with a specialist. I asked if they'd be investigating if I was 10 years younger and they said no.

Thanks for your reply Sheila, and sorry you've experience this too
I completely agree with no. No variation allowed clearly. Over 54 = abnormal.
I do get they are erring on side of caution but I don't do well with medical intervention at all 

And, very good point, your last sentence, very good indeed

[Clovie]

Sorry, having major panics here just now 

I mean, WHY not just assume over thickening of lining?
Why jump straight to to cancer? 
I have been having heavy periods, withdrawal bleeds. LOTS of women have heavy periods surely?
 
Why am I not just having a pelvic scan?
Why straight to a invasive scope?

Freaking out here...

[RebJT]

Hey

I use those private baby scan places, they do endometrial scans, check the lining, check for fibroids etc etc and they cost about £70, the staff are LOVELY, really well champeroned, treated me with dignity and they do a report and you can give it to your doctor.  I've never had a bad experience, they've always been super kind and really really reassuring.  You could have a scan, and depending on the results, decide what to do after that. 

I read the other day some women aren't menopausal until their early 60s, it's about a twenty year window! 

Medical consent is a big deal, you are in charge of your body and you get to say what you will consent to.  I had a similar thing with a polypectomy, I must have been asked a million times if I wanted the Mirena coil (no thanks), over and over and over and over again.  I kept saying no (I'd done my homework, not for me), and they kept pushing with increasing exasperation.  Even the day of surgery, I'd signed the consent forms, I'd crossed out the bit about the coil, I do not consent.  They gave me the pre med, lying on the trolley, just about to wheel me into theatre, properly drowsy, and EVEN THEN 'We could just pop a Mirena coil in whilst you are asleep' - NO THANKS!!

Reb
x

[CLKD]

That's awful, almost robotic!!! Do the NHS get paid per Mirena coil as they do with statins and other meds 

Such a waste of NHS monies when there are quicker and more thorough ways to investigate 'unexplained' bleeding - like listening to the woman for a start!

Iron tablets can cause constipation, were you warned  and there is a liquid which may be more palpable but is more expensive ;-)

[Clovie]

Hello all

I thought I'd update this thread, in case it helps or reassures anyone who might search this subject in future. Like I did  and found helpful results.

I was sent for an ultrasound because at 59 I couldn't POSSIBLY be still having periods, according to my doctor   In fact she told me she was concerned that I had womb cancer!
I've spent weeks feeling like a freak and waiting for the ultrasound, it has spoiled my life, worrying

Anyway, today I had transabdominal ultrasound and was told I had the womb of a woman who is still menstruating, she could tell by the size of the womb itself. She said my lining is very thin, and no fibroids in fact nothing of concern at all. She looked at ovaries too.
All normal.
 
I cannot tell you the relief.
I was even doubting myself I was worrying so much, going off my head with the doctor saying they couldn't be periods at my age, thinking
DID I finish my periods? and forget?
IS this menopausal bleeding?

Anyway.
I am 59 years old, and I am still menstruating.

The relief..... I could cry.

[sheila99]

Glad all is well, a 'learning experience' for you gp perhaps. I understand about the worrying, I did the same with a lump in my breast I was convinced was cancer, turned out to be a harmless cyst. Complete waste of effort worrying 
And don't think of yourself as a freak, we're unique  .

[Clovie]

Thank you Sheila. Glad you were worrying for nothing x

Still giddy with pure relief!   

[SarahT]

Clovie
I am so please for you that all the investigations came back ok. It must have been a real worry for you.
But although a tiny bit younger, I am 56 and up until I had the mirena coil fitted last October I was getting periods every single month without  fail. Regular as clockwork and along with that a lifelong experience of horrendous pmt.

My sister was 58 before before her last.period, though had little peri\meno symptoms.

I am so happy for you getting the best results, rest assured there are some oldies, like you, me and Sheila99  out here who do not fit into all gps textbooks.

Wishing you well

[Clovie]

Clovie
I am so please for you that all the investigations came back ok. It must have been a real worry for you.
But although a tiny bit younger, I am 56 and up until I had the mirena coil fitted last October I was getting periods every single month without  fail. Regular as clockwork and along with that a lifelong experience of horrendous pmt.

My sister was 58 before before her last.period, though had little peri\meno symptoms.

I am so happy for you getting the best results, rest assured there are some oldies, like you, me and Sheila99  out here who do not fit into all gps textbooks.

Wishing you well

Thank you Sarah! 

Yes, we may be older going into menopause later, however -  - We are unusual - not abnormal! 

 Looking at a distribution curve we are just at the end in the foothills not on top of the mountain in the middle!