perimenopausal with fibroids - could HRT work?

[Shirtyllama]

I'm looking for some advice I think.

I'm 47 and it's occurred to me that maybe my bouts of painful achey joints and fatigue that descend for a day or two and then clear completely could be related to perimenopause (I've had blood tests for rheumatoid things a couple of times in the past 5 years and they came back clear).

My periods are still really regular but have been a lot heavier in the past 2 or 3 years. Fibroids seen on scans, and ovarian cysts that come and go. In the last year, I've also been getting clear or pink discharge for several days after the intial period bleed - up till about day 16 of a 28 day cycle - that doesn't smell bad but is (a) really inconvenient in terms of constant pad wearing and changing and (b) freaking me out in case it's something sinister. I had a uterine/transvaginal scan in April because of this, and GP said over the phone that there wasn't anything abnormal looking from the scan such as ovarian or uterine cancer signs, so I'm slighly less worried about this now.

My iron was low but taking daily iron seems to have sorted that out and it's back to normal. I also take some magnesium, vit c and vit d, and evening primrose oil. Healthy diet although clearly eating too much of it as I've put on about 2 stone in last couple of years, despite walking lots and running and cycling a bit (probably not enough, but I'm fairly fit even though I'm overweight). Can't lose weight as easily as before, which also sounds typical for perimenopause.

Also mood swings in the week before my period way more than I used to, slightly more headaches, less sex drive, waking to pee in the night...that all sounds a bit classic now that I've googled perimenopause.

I am booked to discuss with GP next month (I had an NHS gynae appt booked to talk about the heavy bleeding and discharge, but it was cancelled by the hospital during lockdown, and when I phoned recently to chase up they admitted that they hadn't even started rebooking these covid-time appointments, so that could take months.

Has anyone asked for and got HRT with fibroids? I'm wondering what to ask GP, and whether fibroids mean you can't have it. And also...I think I'm looking for some reassurance that these symptoms are typical for peri, and that there might be something that can help me feel better, HRT or I don't know what? I'm going to keep trying to lose weight but it's much harder than it's ever been, and I feel really discouraged about all of it.

I had fibroids a few years ago (which were eventually resolved with surgery) - but from memory of my discussions with the consultant at the time, I believe HRT can in some cases cause further growth of fibroids. Whereas if you go through menopause without HRT, fibroids may reduce.
As for peri menopause symptoms, I did get fatigue too, but this may have been due to the fibroids/very heavy periods (I had iron deficiency too).
The best think to do would be speak to a consultant if you can, so you can talk through the options and put your mind at rest. (Though I know things are difficult re referrals at the moment.)

That's interesting, what kind of surgery did you have , and how bad were your fibroids to qualify for it?

I get the impression I won't get seen by consultant till winter at the earliest, and I'm struggling..

I had a hysterectomy - I had one enormous fibroid (which was causing severe and constant pain) and two smaller ones. I was 49 at the time. I didn’t look back to be honest - the surgery went really well (robot-assisted keyhole), I only needed 2 days in hospital, and recovered really quickly. And no issues since.

That's something to think about. Did you have hrt after that or go into menopause? (Or not, because you still had your ovaries?). I think I'm scared that sex wouldn't be the same after a hysterectomy, I know someone who had a (vaginal?) prolapse afterwards that caused loads of problems :(
but I suppose that's not inevitable

I have just had a uterine fibroid embolisation. ....One extremely large fibroid and there are other treatment options for fibroids. and yes you do sound like you are in peri menopause!

I had HRT to control heavy bleeding in my 50's, I also had fibroids. The HRT changed my life, I'm still on it 10 years later

Thank you, this sounds really positive for all of you, I'm glad you've found solutions. I feel better about talking to GP now. It's just got to the point where I feel I'm suffering a bit but could do something about it.