If you cant take HRT

[janinlondon]

Just that really. What are my other options? Is there anything that makes a real difference? Help please?

I'd say it depends on why you can't take HRT ( has your dr or consultant told you this?) and what your main symptoms are, because there are different things that work for different symptoms.

I took HRT for a year and it was magic. Unfortunately it also made me start bleeding very heavily again - a year after my periods had stopped - because of a fibroid. Have had surgery but they cant get the fibroid out. Fear of perforating the uterus. I so loved my HRT. No hot flushes, normal sex drive......ahhhh.....I was me again. HRT and fibroids are not happy partners. Me and menopause similarly not happy partners. Waaaaaaiiiil!

Have you been offered the Mirena coil and a separate oestrogen- the coil might just be enough to stop the bleeding.

Were you offered Tibolone? Friend of mine was given it for the same reasons though more to do with building bone density without stimulating the uterus, due to a large fibroid.

Thanks Pinkfrocks. Was offered the coil, but after they saw the fibroid they withdrew that option, and we tried various combinations of hormones - it was the oestrogen I loved, and the oestrogen that was making me bleed. I looked into tibolone but it seems to be contraindicated with fibroids....? Have I got that wrong?

Tibolone is ok for women with endo because it doesn't stimulate the uterine lining so should be ok for fibroids.

Why did the Mirena not suit because of a fibroid- would have thought it was the answer unless it's a case of lack of space to get it in!

Have you thought about a 2nd opinion- some gynaes are better than others!

PF - I think I was with the best (huge London teaching hospital, head of gynae, surgery watched by a raft of students)....but she is not managing my post op care. That was devolved back to GP. I think I shall ask GP to refer me back to the consultant and see if tibolone might help. Thank you!

care to share a name? PM if you like.

OP if you are still around....

I'm still wondering why you can't have a Mirena coil? It's regarded by many gynaes as the gold standard for HRT using it plus a separate transdermal oestrogen.

The whole point of the Mirena is that the progestogen in it stops bleeding. Unless your fibroid is so big that there is no space in your uterus for a coil but that seems unlikely because a) fibroids shrink anyway after the menopause and b) if your fibroid was huge they'd probably offer you a hysterectomy.

I'm sure your consultant is good at what she does but they all have specialisms- so someone good at surgery or general gynaecology may not have an interest or expertise in managing menopause and the various options worth trying.

I see a London gynae so if you wanted a name be happy to share.

I take soyaflavins, calcium, magnesium and sage leaf tablets. My periods stopped 18 months ago (bliss as they were horrendous) for the first year or so I was having fairly regular hot flushes and night sweats but now it has settled down and I get about 3 a week. The rage is less and I am feeling a bit more normal.

Maybe I am just lucky but the supplements I take seem to work for me.

Hi - sorry, have been offline. Yes, it does seem that having it all taken out and a nice fireplace put in is my next option.......! :)

I have a fibroid and can't take HRT because of a previous embolism. I'm 53. Both my consultant gynae and GP have recommended the mirena coil. Or a hysterectomy.

Linerunner - yes the coil does seem to be a standard suggestion at this point. I have no interest in progesterone though. Does absolutely nothing for me. Its the big O I want!!

Just want to say that Minera does not always stop bleeding. I had it inserted over six months ago and am now bleeding for two weeks at a time, so have now been advised to have my womb lining 'burnt' away.

Am wondering why oestrogen would make some people bleed and not others.

It's the Mirena not Minera !

It doesn't contain oestrogen- it contains progesterone. I don't know why it didn't stop your bleeding- everyone is different - but in the majority of women it does.