Gynae issues...an inevitability as one gets older?

[Badvoc]

So.
Had nightmare periods for as long as I can remember. Heavy, irregular, very very painful.
I started my periods when I was 10 so I have now had 30 years of this bullshit.
Was in the pill for years prior to ds1 with no ports but then after I had him started to get hemi plegic migraines so had to come off it as now I am a stoke risk.
After ds2 tried the depo injection. Had 2 3 months apart and out in 2.5 stubs and was chronically pissed off the whole time. So stopped.
Then tried cerazette. That didn't suit me either.
As a last resort had a mirena coil in may.
I went to the gp this morning and asked her to take it out. It hasn't been quite 6 months but I have had enough.
Constant spotting, brown sludge (sorry for tmi) and mood swings.
So.
Now what?
Both my mum and sis had hysterectomies before they were 35 so gynae issues do sort of run in my family.
I had a scan and endometrial biopsy done back in may and they were ok.
Bloods ok too am not anaemic anymore.
Dh is going to enquire about the snip as I am not using hormonal contraception anymore, but what can I do to make myself feel better?
So tired of being so tired :(

Have had many years of very painful and irregular periods as well so can empathise. I have two diagnoses now (PCOS caused the irregularity of periods and endo was the root cause of all the pain).

You need a diagnosis first and foremost.

What you describe could well be indicative of endometriosis (infact the very painful periods along with the brown sludge type old blood you describe are both symptomatic of this disease, particularly the old blood. Have had both these symptoms due to endo).

Scans and blood tests do not detect endometriosis if it is there; the usual way it is diagnosed is through a keyhole surgery op called a laparoscopy.

Hyst may not be the operation of choice if endo is indeed present as it can recur post hyst.

Will GP not refer you to a gynae?. I'd be at this person to refer you rather than the GP continuing to mess around in ignorance. TBH I would try and go all out to find not a "bog standard" general gynae but one who has up to date knowledge, is proficient and has an interest in endometriosis. Such people do exist, they are out there. Unfortunately they take some finding.

www.endo.org.uk is a good website.

Thank you.

Can I ask what treatment you are in and if its made any difference?

I had endometriosis lasered out some years back (saw the photos post surgery a week or so post op, endo was extensive throughout my uterine cavity so no wonder I was in pain) and the surgery improved my quality of life no end with regards to periods (used to flood as well). Only wish I had this option years earlier as I have had such problems with my periods ever since onset of menses at 14.

I do get the occasional flare up now and again but I can live with it now whereas before surgery I was curled up on the floor clutching a hot water bottle around my womb area and wondering when the pain was going to stop.

I now take cerezette and after a few bumps with this to begin with its okay now.

I can recommend a good consultant gynaecologist specialising in endometriosis and keyhole surgery if you need one. I live near Brighton and he operates at the Royal Sussex Hospital, Eastern Road, Brighton.

If this is anywhere near you feel free to ask/PM me for further details.

I live in Leicestershire.
Can they do laparoscopic proceedures under local?
I didn't have any anaesthetic for my biopsy and was fine...bit uncomfortable.
Want to avoid a ga if I can

Badvoc

You would need to talk to a gynae in any event but as far as I know laparascopic (keyhole surgery) procedures are always done under general anaesthesia.

I have had two GAs to date and in my case the fear was far worse than the actual reality.

I'm in a similar boat and have been offered endometrial ablation to rid me of periods, render me totally infertile and just to put an end to the whole bloody lot.

I was offered ablation too but because I am only just 40 the general consensus seems to be that I would need it done perhaps another two times before menopause begins.
If I could afford it I would have a hysterectomy privately.
Am so fed up of this.

Hi Badvoc

I had an endometrial ablation carried out when I was 40 and it was the best thing I ever did.

I had years of painfull heavy periods getting heavier and heavier resulting in aneamia and a blood transfusion. It seems to run in my family as my sisters and my mum all had a hyterectomy.

I don't know who advised you that you would need to have the procedure done a few times but it was not my experience. The gynacologist was brilliant.
I think you need to see a gynacologist or if you already have you need to get referred to a different one for a second opinion.

I am now menopausal and have had no problems since the op.

I had the ablabtion done 3 years ago, when the lining started to grow back it grew into the wall if my womb. I had a hysterectomy 9 weeks ago. If you want a hysterectomy and you do have endometriosis you would be best to get your ovaries removed as well. There is a possibility of the endo coming back otherwise.

I have similar symptoms, but laparoscopy found no endo.

I now use nuvaring to keep it under control. Might be an option for you as it is similar to the pill but lower dose due to its location

Before my hysterectomy I had an MRI scan to see if I had endometriosis as well. Apparently I didn't but lots of old endo scarring . I don't know where it went, I was never treated for it . It's only now I realise a lot if my gynae/bowel problems,were probably it.

catmadcaz can you tell me more about the ablation - I'm having it done in three weeks and it's been described as 'minor' by my surgeon (who I have to say is really good so far). I thought that was it, done and dusted. :( Am wibbling that it might not work though. Can't have a hysterectomy easily, have had too many abdo surgeries.

The ablation us done under GA but is a day proceedure usually. You need a couple of weeks to recover.

Thanks cocole. I've just had an ovarian cyst removed so I'm not keen to have anything too big too soon.

Sounds like my stitches from one will have just dissolved when I'll be attacked from another route!

I had an ablation 4.5 years ago. I had horrible periods. My GP was sympathetic and referred me for the ablation, but the hospital refused and I felt bullied into having a Mirena. I lasted about 6 or 7 months before I had it taken out, and my GP referred me to a different hospital to have the ablation.

It gave me my life back, TBH. I went from really heavy, flooding to light spotting. When I first had it done I had a bloody/watery discharge for a few weeks and it all settled. I still had periods, but were very very light, usually just needing a panty liner. My periods did actually stop for a while but they have just started again.

I am 41, and my mum and nan went through the menopause at around 43, so I am hoping I don't need anything else doing.

I had a TVT, for a bladder prolapse, done at the same time so I'm not sure about the recovery for just the ablation. I stopped bleeding straight away and never started again in the 3 years leadng up to my hysterectomy.

Thank you.
Will see what happens up to Xmas.
If I get bad again and anaemic then it looks like I will opt for the ablation.
I am actually hoping for early menopause...how sad is that? :(

Why not get a gynae referal now?

I need to figure out what I am going to ask for.
I also need to figure out whether to have the hysterectomy and just get it over with.
With my families medical history it's probable I will end up having one at some point.
I could go back to the private gynae but he will really push for ablation and I am just not sure. He was the one who told me that I am a bit young for ablation btw.
A lot of people who have had that seem to end up having a hysterectomy afterwards
Sigh.

In fact I will make an appt tomorrow for the gynae who out the mirena in.
Thanks for all the advice, it's much appreciated x

Hi Badvoc,
Your periods sound a lot like mine. I'm due for an endometrial ablation in next week. My consultant has already warned me that I'm likely to be needing a full hysterectomy due to the endometriosis and likely adenomyosis. The point of having the ablation first is to buy me time and still allow my body to produce natural hormones for as long as possible, especially as I had adverse reaction to artificial progestogens (including Depo and Mirena).

Have you tried Tranexamic acid to lighten bleeding?

Hi just wanted to add that I had an ablation done two years ago and I've had light periods ever since. I had awful heavy periods before. It might be worth a try, yes you may end up eventually having a hysterectomy but it would buy you some time.

Badvoc - As I understand it, the official NHS route is as follows: drugs (tranxemic acid/pills), coils, ablation, hysterectomy. So they will always offer the next step up. You can jump steps but only if you have good reason. I skipped a copper coil as I had tried a Mirena and it increased my bleeding (and turned me into a crazy person) But it's tricky to go straight to hysterectomy, partly because it's more expensive but mostly because it's invasive surgery in that you have to have a laporascopy which increases the likelihood of laporotomy. Also you have to be an inpatient versus ablation as a day patient.

The RCOG do a nice guide to EA www.rcog.org.uk/files/rcog-corp/EndometrialAblationRecoveringWell0710.pdf