Really worried - diagnosed with ovarian cyst, adenomyosis and now referred for colposcopy

[purplerain44]

I wonder if anyone has any words of support/ experience and advice. I was diagnosed with a 2cm Hemorrhagic ovarian cyst in October after an ultrasound. They also diagnosed me with adenymyosis. I am 46 and have had 2 DC - 11 and 8 - and originally went to the GP with mid-cycle bleeding over the last year. The CA125 blood test came back normal. The GP then referred me to see a gynaecologist but this referral was subsequently refused - the GP thinks because of covid - and they suggested I have a re-scan in 4 months, which is now booked in.

Fast-forward to yesterday, the GP wanted to examine my cervix and take some swabs for infection etc. to see if there was any more idea about the bleeding. After I had done this, she said she was going to refer me to the colposcopy clinic - which she hadn't mentioned before. I asked her if my cervix looked normal, and she said yes, but I am now having severe anxiety attacks that she saw something and didn't tell me. I had a clear smear in July 2019, although in 2001 had a loop cone biopsy with CINII.

I'm also wondering if I even described the "mid-cycle bleeding" correctly. She didn't actually ask me about it - but I wonder if what i've been experiencing is irregular periods? Could someone tell me how we know what the difference is...I've been under a lot of stress recently - my husband has been having chemo for lymphoma and my daughter has severe anxiety and referred for ASD assessment, so I wondered if this has a part to play. The GP said stress absolutely wouldn't. Over the last few years, my cycle had changed anyway, from being spot on every 28 days to being much shorter - maybe 3 weeks and a couple of days or sometimes longer. Maybe the bleeding in-between have been periods rather than bleeding? I don't know about bleeding after sex as my husband and I haven't exactly been feeling that romantic recently... but that's another story!!!!

I know a clear smear isn't always foolproof. Could I have cervical cancer? would the GP have referred me anyway or would it have been because she could see something on my cervix. I find it hard to control my anxiety, so any advice would be so gratefully received. Thank you.

My understanding is that cervical cancer takes a long time to develop and if you are having regular smears I wouldn't be too worried. Could you be perimenapausal? I started getting weird things going on with my period about two years ago - aged 45

And by the way if you asked a direct question if a health professional they don't lie

Thank you for your reply. Yes, i was thinking about being perimenopausal, and I asked the GP this (another one - who originally referred me for the scan) and she said very unlikely and that approaching menopause, I should be getting more heavy periods more frequently or spaced apart, not mid-cycle bleeding. My periods aren't particularly heavy - I have about 2/3 days of having to use tampons, but always manageable, changing them every 4 hours. Maybe that is heavy, but I never have any flooding etc.

She may be referring you elsewhere because the other referral she made was refused. Rather than just do nothing else to have you checked out further.

I’m 47 and awaiting my 3rd hysteroscopy. I have recurring uterine polyps. My last scan in September has shown a haemorrhagic ovarian cyst (which needs re-scanning in Feb), returned polyps and adenymyosis (apparently common in women in their 40’s). I have occasional mid cycle bleeding and awful heavy periods.
I’m still awaiting the hysteroscopy as the bloody secretary had ‘lost’ my referral.
I believe that I am in perimenopause but trying to get a gp to acknowledge that is a whole other issue.
I belong to loads of Facebook perimenopause support groups. I totally recommend them as there is always someone on there who has similar experiences and lots of advice and support.
I totally understand your struggle with anxiety. I have awful anxiety.

Thank you for replying @Fortheweekend and I'm sorry to hear you have these problems.

The anxiety is really hard to manage, particularly as my husband was misdiagnosed and a year later, we found out he had lymphoma. I suppose it makes me more likely to not take no for an answer. I also can't stop googling, which is silly I know, but i suppose it's that search for answers.

Thanks very much for the advice for Facebook perimenopause groups - are they private?

@sadie9, thank you too for your reply - I thought that too, but I was suspicious because this hadn't been mentioned- only after she had examined my cervix so was paranoid she had seen something that needed closer examination.

I put this in the Women's Health section as I didn't realise there was a specific section for this kind of thing.

purplerain44 That really is awful for your husband, I hope he makes a full and speedy recovery.
Yes, the Facebook groups are all private although I did eventually set up a new account for my support groups because I also have IBS and once accidentally posted some symptoms on my main Facebook timeline by mistake, how blooming embarrassing 😳
The main groups I use are Perimenopause Hub and U.K. Ladies Menopause Support Group, both U.K. based so lots of good relevant info on there.
Oh, and you know DR Google is NOT your friend lol!