Frequent bleeding/periods - menopause? Fibroids??

[Geminijust]

I'm 54 and must surely be in peri, although I don't have many obvious symptoms. Until 7 months ago I was on the combined pill. I know this is old but I have fibroids which cause horrendous bleeding and the pill controlled this somewhat - withdrawal bleeds still heavy but at least only once a month, although I occasionally had breakthrough bleeding. Gp was happy for me to be on pill as not overweight, no high blood pressure etc and was having regular pill checks. Unfortunately, they stopped doing pill checks due to Covid which concerned me so I took myself off. I was also interested to see where I was in menopause as I know the pill masks most symptoms.

My periods came back immediately but were every 3 weeks instead of 4 weeks when I was younger. They were heavy but no worse than when on pill. After a few months I started getting some bleeding in between periods which was mostly light. Sometimes these bleeds were preceded with what I recognised as ovulation pain so wonder if ovulation spotting, although never had it in the past.

Since May I've been keeping note of the cycle lengths and they are as follows:

17 days - lightish period (previous one 17 days before was heavy)
24 days - lightish bleed preceded by ovulation type pain
11 days - normal heavy period
17 days - light bleeding so far (started yesterday)

Does this sound like normal peri, possibly aggravated by fibroids? Should I be seeing GP although it would be easier to get an audience with the queen than get a face 2 face at our surgery (I hate telephone appointments)

Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

You need to see your doc . Fibroids can cause many problems the least of which could be an emergency hysterectomy . Are they monitored regularly by scans ? (Knowing the NHS I would guess no )

I've had two surgeries to trim down the fibroids over the last 8 years (the position of them means they cannot be removed). Last one was done 5 years ago, both privately. I did ask GP for a scan a couple of years ago due to increased breakthrough bleeding but he said no point as would only show fibroids. Incidentally, latest bleeding is now full on heavy painful period.

Really wish I'd had hysterectomy years ago but as thought menopause was imminent when fibroids usually disappear, decided against

I wish I had had my fibroid cauterised many years before my emergency hysterectomy . If fibroids are so troublesome and you have had your children then I would suggest to ask the doctor for a hysterectomy . A planned hysterectomy is FAR easier than an emergency one with a massive fibroid . Good luck .

If you are worried speak to your gp. yes it does sound like peri. I am 52 in peri with one very big fibroid. I had an embolisation last year. my periods have become lighter. .but whether this is due to embolisation or normal peri. .I don't know. They are a bit all over the place!
everything I have read on fibroids suggests that an emergency hysterectomy is not a usual outcome, so no they do not routinely scanned as there is little point.

to be honest your periods do not sound horrendous enough to warrant a hysterectomy? which is a major operation and may bring complications of its own and there are other option to explore before then.

To be clear my fibroid was unmonitored by the NHS ( as opposed to previously being privately scanned every 6 months ) and went into overdrive . It was only me realising something that was wrong that prompted treatment .They didn't know why .

I have multiple small submucousal fibroids, some on stalks (at least I did at my last surgery). I'm unsuitable for ablation apparently due to the number of fibroids and if I had a hysterectomy it would have to be abdominal with a long recovery which I didn't have time for (still don'treally but had enough now). Right now I feel like doing it myself as the bleeding and clots are hideous.

Couldn't get through to the gp earlier (surprise surprise) so will try again later. IF I get an appointment I think I'll ask to be referred back privately again (realise I'm lucky to have insurance) and see what they suggest.

Oh god yes go private .

Your gp may well offer you alternatives such as tranexamic acid or mirena. I would, if i were you be looking at these first rather than a hysterectomy.

I also recommend the period manual by lara briden. she had a good section on heavy periods.

I've had traxexamic acid (did nothing), and mirena (evil contraption). Fibroids can't be removed, only trimmed. Have GP appointment in 3 weeks and will request referral. Maybe another trimming down session might be in order and hope it sees me through menopause?

I had a hysterectomy earlier this year after my fibroids caused horrendous bleeding.

I struggled to get the doctors to listen until I ended up so anemic I was admitted as emergency to hospital for four blood transfusions.

Fibroids can cause massive issues. My hysterectomy was a godsend and the recovery was not too bad.
I feel women's menstrual health and hormones are not an area that the NHS can/will help with until things are dire. This is even more true now doctor's appointments are hard to get and surgeries are being cancelled.
This is one area that I think women need to try and find a way to go private, even for an initial consultation and when they know the issue can be referred back to NHS with a plan.

Have you been told embolisation is a no go..its not removing them but blocking off the blood supply.

also have ypu had your iron checked. .Low iron can cause heavy bleeding, and heavy bleeding causes low iron.

I loved mirena. .it made quite a bit of difference, but I still had some big clots and it got pulled out