Confused about possible menopause, have Mirena fitted

[ettiketti]

Hi
I went to my GP recently as I've noticed flushing, night sweats, hideous pmt like symptoms, depression, ZERO libido, vaginal dryness, horrendous palpitations and insomnia. I googled, like you do, and it all points to menopause. I have Mirena fitted for heavy periods (H already had vasectomy) and don't have periods on it. This obviously means I can't have my hormone levels tested.
I asked my GP about Tibolone as I'd read it was good but she's not keen due to my age (45) as she would only prescribe for 5 years and it might NOT be menopause? I didn't like to say my mums been on hrt for over 20 years!
One option is to remove mirena and have blood tests. However it really suits me and I'm concerned that if I'm not menopausal then what? Replace with another mirena (always a hideous experience for me, had to be referred to gynae last time!) or put up with it.
GP prescribed low dose fluoxetine but I'm unsure what to do and wondered if there was a slim chance some others had suffered a similar fate!

I'd say the insomnia/night sweats, low mood/snappiness and lack of libido are affecting me the most.

Hi

The easiest way to see what is going on would be to remove your coil and see if you have periods- but from what you say you might still have periods..

There are quite a few issues with what you've said. First is your GP is not really up to date- there is no limit on how long HRT can be taken. The British Menopause Society says that how long is a personal choice and all factors need to be taken into account. Have a look at their website incl the press release/ latest info parts.

The 2nd issue is that at 45 you are young to be menopausal. Average age is 52. This means that you really do need oestrogen now - at least up to the age of 51-52 - to protect your bones and heart, in the longer term.

I wonder why you asked about Tibolone? It's not a 1st choice HRT because it's a SERM and combines oestrogen, progestogen and testosterone. So you would not need a Mirena as well. I think some of the latest research does show links with heart disease after some years on it.

Your easiest and simplest choice would be oestrogen alone either as a patch or oestrogen gel, because you already have the Mirena to give you the progestogen you need. Many gynaes consider this combination the 'gold standard'.

Go back to the dr and express your concern about an early menopause and ask if you can have oestrogen-only treatment along with the Mirena.

I would go back (another gp?) and ask for oestrogen patches or gel.

When I was 'offered' mirena, I was told that I could do this if I needed oestrogen. It seems silly to take the mirena out.

Is your doctor doing any tests to find out what this mysterious complaint is?

Hi. Thanks so much for the great replies!
I'm due back to my GP next week, I'll definitely ask for oestrogen patches as the scan I've had this week showed no gynae issues and I'd like to keep the mirena.
My mum was 41 when age went through the menopause and as GP asked, I guessed this was significant. I did think I was quite young!
This is a quite newly registered and seemingly thorough GP so I'm pretty disappointed that she's so outdated!
I mentioned Tibolone as a friend said shed been told it worked well on most symptoms.

I'll go google but it does sound like oestrogen is the way forward
Thank you again pinkfrocks and DayLillie

Tibolone is not 'maintstream' HRT- it's sometimes used to prevent osteoporosis and for women who might need testosterone too- maybe women who have had their ovaries removed, and it's 'bleed- free' meaning you won't get a bleed so you are probably too young anyway as bleed free is for post- menopausal women.