Appointment with gynaecologist - what to expect?

[orangeplum]

I have been suffering with extremely heavy bleeding on some days for over a year and v tired and breathless. I went to the GP who told me I was perimenopausal and prescribed HRT. Have now also been diagnosed with bad anaemia so am on iron tablets and mefenamic acid as well. I have private health through work so persuaded them to refer me to gynaecologist. Haven't had a scan or any hormonal blood tests - just general blood counts hence anaemia being detected.

I am going to the gynaecologist for the first time next week and don't know what to expect. Feel slightly nervous so it would be good to know what to expect? Can anyone give me any guidance?

Thanks very much.

[kazzawazzawoo]

I've been seeing a gynae because of heavy periods and mid cycle bleeding. She sent me for a scan, did a quick internal, prescribed mefenamic acid, wanted to do a hysteroscopy because of the mid cycle bleeding and recommended the mirena coil as it tends to stop periods in a lot of women.

I declined the hysteroscopy and mirena coil for now and am trying the mini pill to control my cycle - period was lighter and less painful this month (first one after starting) but longer.

It might be worth writing down dates of bleeding, as she will probably ask when your last period was and how long it lasted.

Apart from that I was weighed and measured.

Good luck.

[orangeplum]

Thank you. That's v helpful. Will make some notes before I go. Just suffering another bout of heavy bleeding. Did you find the mefenamic acid worked?
Thanks

[kazzawazzawoo]

I only took it once, more for the pain than the bleeding. It made no difference, but it upset my stomach, making me feel quite ill

[Diagonally]

I had dreadful periods for a year - flooding and so on, and had a scan and then a laparoscopy which showed some fibroids as well as endometriosis (which I have had for years anyway). I had a mirena fitted during the lap, which has been a godsend.

I know some people don't get on with it but it is great to just have a bit of spotting each month instead of two weeks of hell out of every four.

Hope you get it sorted

[orangeplum]

Thanks v much for all the comments. I find it so difficult to decide about the mirena - you hear such different stories. Some say godsend some say nightmare. I will just have to see what she says.

[kazzawazzawoo]

I had a Mirena 15 years ago and it was great until I had an ectopic pregnancy with it. However, I don't want to go through the insertion again, as it was extremely painful for me. The GP tried to convince me it would be fine and also that most people get on fine with it, but I too have read a lot of horror stories on MN etc., so I'm not sure I would always be convinced by what my gp says.

Have you looked into ablation? My friend had that and said she now only has very light periods.

[RuddyDuck]

I have horrendous periods and fibroids. I tried the Mirena but it didn't make a blind bit of difference in my case.

When I saw my gynae I took a "period diary" of the previous three months with me, detailing which dates I'd bled, and how much I'd bled (eg, how much sanpro I'd had to use on each day), which gave her a very good idea of what my periods were actually like.

[PowderMum]

When I had my private gynae consultation last year I had already had an ultrasound that showed I had large fibroids and had been put on painkillers and tranexamic acid to reduce the flooding. She was very nice took all my history and details and did an internal exam. As my family was finished and because I have not been able to take any hormone contraceptive for over 15 years my option was a hysterectomy.

I agreed to this as I had had enough and just wanted to feel well again.