fibroids after menopause

Thanks Gagajo. I’ve been having chemo on and off for the past 15 months ago, I’m now on my third line. I’m doing ok, and because I was pretty much isolating because of the chemo, pandemic restrictions probably affected me less than most people. Where there’s life...........

Thank you grandmajet. I am so sorry for your suffering. Do they think they can manage your cancer with treatment?

I had my hsterectomy because my BRCA gene put me at risk. I am even more glad now, after what you have said, that I had it.

I just read this thread. In 2005 I had a total radical hysterectomy for endometrial cancer, and was apparently cured. However about two years ago I was having bowel/bladder symptoms and some abdominal discomfort which caused me to go to my g.p. To cut a long story short, after three g.p. visits I eventually ended up in a and e after a very painful night and it was discovered I now have a gynae cancer, probable ovarian in origin or primary peritoneal, maybe a recurrence of the old cancer - the biopsy was hard to work out they say. Please, please don’t assume that removing the ovaries means you can’t get a form of ovarian cancer. It is much less likely, but still possible. My g.p. surgery, where I saw three different doctors, admitted they were unaware of this until after my case, when they consulted a gynaecologist.
Gynaecological cancers are horrible, deadly, sneaky things and not fun to live with and can definitely happen after a radical hysterectomy I’m afraid. I repeat, please listen to your body and never assume it won’t happen to you, I don’t mean to frighten anyone but I wouldn’t want anyone to go through my experience if they could avoid it.

Not for the same reason, but I had a total hysterectomy at 45. I was back at work in a month. And the bliss of no periods! Sounds as if you could keep your ovaries. I would definitely recommend it.

Hi Jami

I've been up to hospital with post-menopausal bleeding three times this year, when scans revealed thickening of the endometrium I had a hysteroscopy each time. The third time, a couple of polyps were found, which may have been responsible for the thickening and bleeding, and I was advised to have a Mirena coil which they believe will reduce the chances of future polyps or other conditions.

My gynaecologist seemed quite confident she could get the camera into my uterus after the menopause, but investigating post-menopausal bleeding seems to be a large part of her job! My cervix had certainly closed, because the last attempt at a cervical smear at the GP's surgery was a failure. Fortunately, they did this for me as well during the hospital appointment. So I think you need to ask your GP for another referral to hospital, they have the equipment and the expertise to work out what's going on. It may be that they simply recommend you to have a hysterectomy. Most women I know who have got to this point have been very happy with the relief from symptoms.

I must say, I have felt rather aggrieved at having gynaecological symptoms when I assumed my reproductive system had shut up shop and would cause no further problems!

JuliaM thanks for your reply

Thanks!

Jami I would make a private appointment with a Gynaecologist, explore your options with an expert, make a list of questions before you go. ??

Mr Mike Cust, he was brilliant with me. First referral via the Nuffield hospital, Derby, worth every penny I spent with him.

He has his own Linkedin webpage on the net, if you want to take a look.

Good Luck.

JuliaM can you say who your consultant was?

Sorry for the pain sister!

I know this thread is a few weeks old and already has some good suggestions, but just in case you still need another solution, I feel compelled to post this.

I used to search for ways to get rid of my fibroids myself when I was 23 and pregnant for the first time.

I ended up trying quite a few online programs.

Out of desperation, I accidentally found something that worked really well called "Fibroids Miracle".

Everyone I have recommended this to since I discovered it has been amazed at how well it works. You should definitely check it out!

This program contains some of the most effective natural treatments for fibroids on the planet.

Have a look at their site (I just found in Google and no, I'm not affiliated w/ it).

Thank you for all your input. x

jami a hysterectomy is a ‘big’ operation but perhaps you are thinking of it being bigger than it is. Certainly years ago it was a major op but I would seriously suggest you look into it in more detail and get some good medical advice. Obviously no one wants an op if they don’t need one but as others have said it takes away the concern for cancer in that area and although you need time to recuperate it’s not that bad. I was still at work when I had mine done. I would find out more about it and how it could be done If I were you so you have a more balanced view of the procedure.

jami I too had massive fibroids which eventually caused me to have urine retention. I had a full hysterectomy including ovaries having been advised by a GP friend to have the whole lot removed to avoid a chance of cancer later. As others have said, the best thing I have done. No regrets, not one. Good luck with whatever you decide.

I had a hysterectomy over 25 years ago jami best thing I ever did as I had fibroids too.
Not sure about keyhole surgery if you have a lot of fibroids, I'm not au fait with current practice. I agree with Esspee
Have the operation it will greatly improve your life, good luck.

I am so pleased I had my ovaries, womb and cervix removed. Not only did it solve my problem (due to polycystic ovaries) but I can now never get ovarian cancer, uterine cancer or cervical cancer plus I get to have oestrogen only HRT which is far better than combined HRT.
You are past your child bearing years so why keep all those redundant bits?

See if your Dr. would write a referral letter for you to have an MRI scan done privately?
I don’t know why she said she can’t get one for you, unless she thinks it wouldn’t be useful?
I think that when I had my Hysterectomy 30 years ago, it was much more common for them to just take it away.

I am confused if there is anything else they can do to diagnose what is happening in my womb, before the step for a hysterectomy. My doctor says the entrance to the womb is closed, so that is why the first gynaecologist, 4 years back, couldn't get a sample. Both ultra sound scans ( last week and 4 years ago) - internal and external, simply showed I have 5 fibroids and the lining of womb is hidden. That is what they needed to see in order to make a (yes or no) cancer diagnosis I wondered if an MRI would show the required info, but my doctor says she cannot ask for that and didn't 'know'either whether that is a useful step. I would be happy to pay privately for one if it would give me a definite answer so I can decide what to do. I would leave well alone and live with it if it is not cancer, so long as no pain or increase in size of fibroids etc: I don't want an unnecessary operation but would for sure want a necessary one!

Thank you all so much for your input. I am scared of having the hysterectomy. I have just got a referrsl through to make an appointment a t NHS clinic for 'post menopausal bleeding.
4 years ago, after I had a show of blood I went through all of the ultrasound and trying to get into the womb to take a sample of the lining and the consultant could not access the womb it was tightly closed. After that I went home and it was just left without further investigation. I think because of the covid 19 situation they are twiddling their thumbs as people are 'staying safe' at home and don't want to go into hospital- so it is reported on the news. Thank you MadGran I will pm you

I suffered for many years with fibroids, heavy bleeding and anaemia. My Gynaecologist at tge time refused to do anything and just said that the symptoms would improve after the Menopause. They didnt. I was recomended to a different Gynaecologist who specialised in Menopause problems and booked a private Consultation appointment. It was worth every penny. Within six weeks I had an appointment on his NHS day case list for an Endrometrial Ablation, which is a type of hysterectomy that removes the Endrometrial lining from the uterus perminantly, along with any Fibroids or Polyps which they also found in me, never to grow back again. Only the muscular outer body of the uterus remains, the surgery took less than an hour, and was done under epidural block with slight sedation. I could hear voices, see the theatre lights, but could not have cared less, I was well and truely away with the faries!
The recovery was amazing, rested for a couple of days, then started to feel much better as my Anaemia improved, and the best bit, after a few days, the slight bleeding finally stoped never to be seen ever again! It was the best thing that I ever did.

Jami I had an internal scan and a small polyp removed vaginally which was then sent for testing last year. I was 15 yrs post menopause. So I don't understand why a D&C would not be possible.

It was NHS

Hi Jami. It’s a lot easier operation now it’s keyhole surgery. Hers took a while as she has adhesions on her ovaries too, think it was around 3 hours . She was still able to come home a few hours later with painkillers , she was up and about immediately, and back to work 6 week later.

I had a hysterectomy and removal of my ovaries, for a grade 1A cancer 6 years ago.

I was sitting up in a chair the morning after the op and was home within 3 days. I was back at work in a demanding, senior role in 6 weeks. I was advised that it’s a straight forward op and although I didn’t really believe that, it was.

I had no pain afterwards and recovered really well.

I would opt for the hysterectomy as soon as possible. Ask your GP for a referral to a Gynaecologist and get things moving. (I went private and the whole thing, tests, scans and operation were done within two weeks).

Good luck and best wishes ?

I had a hysterectomy after "fibroids" that kept growing and didnt shrink. Turned out they weren't fibroids atall. PM me if you wish to know more but I do think you need advice from a consultant gynaecologist, not just a GP xx