Constant bleeding - fibroids, adenomyosis and ovarian cysts - anything I can do?

[CatchCatchThePigeon]

I am just wondering if there is anything more I should be doing. Went to the GP with bleeding in between periods which had been ongoing for 6 months. They arranged a scan which showed that I had fibroids, adenomyosis and some ovarian cysts, one of which they want to monitor by rescanning in 3 months to make sure it hasn't grown.

I actually feel much better knowing what is causing the problems (and the pain). Gp and I discussed it (on a phone consult) and given my age, 50, didn't feel there was much that could be done. I agree in that I don't think it's worth doing anything now when I'm hopefully not far off menopause. However, we literally had a 30 second conversation. He told me the results, told me he'd want a rescan in 3 months and concluded there wasn't much to be done.

Afterwards, I realised I hadn't asked if there was anything I could do e.g. should I take iron? Are there any other supplements that might help? I'm 50, still have regular periods, not on HRT.

Oh definitely get iron! I ended up so anaemic I needed a blood transfusion.

I'm surprised you haven't been offered a Mirena coil. It's the get out of jail free card for so many problems.

It didn't work for me ( fell out with a clot).

Eventually I took Norethisterone every day with no break.
I had my fibroid removed but it didn't help the bleeding.

Don't get brushed under the carpet! Get that iron!

poor you, that sounds awful

I tried the mirena when it was first introduced many many years ago and I had a horrible rare allergic reaction and got covered in some awful rash which went away once they took it out. No doctor has ever dared suggest any hormonal treatment since then!

I will look into the iron, thanks for the tip

Get a Mirena coil. I have adenomyosis and my periods were more like a continuous haemorrhage. I was severely anaemic. Got a Mirena and 3 months later my periods stopped completely. Life changing!

I have similar symptoms and after having a scan was immediately referred to a consultant gynaecologist at the hospital for advice. I would be concerned at having a GP deal with this and suggest you become a squeakier wheel and push for a referral. It doesn’t sound right that you should have to suffer and that should not be your GP’s choice to make! This actually makes me really cross for you.

@WarmWinterSun thanks - what has the gynae suggested as treatment? it's an odd one as I actually feel better knowing what the problem is. I've had terrible painful/heavy periods since my periods started age 11. I was on the pill for years, till my early 40s when I suddenly stopped being able to tolerate it but at least the pill kept all the symptoms at bay. I can't take hormonal treatment now so that rules out a lot of the options. I don't really want a hysterectomy given it's such major surgery so I'd be interested to hear if there are other options! I have private healthcare through work but unfortunately, I just changed job so this now counts as a pre existing condition so I'd have to wait for the NHS and this isn't classed as a priority referral so it will be a very long wait if/when I actually got to see anyone. At least there will be a repeat scan in a few months to check if anything has changed.

For me it’s polyps and a fibroid, but the consultant thinks the polyps are causing the problem. He’s booking me in to have them removed. He also recommended the mirena coil as apparently it helps reduce symptoms and also reduces the likelihood of them coming back. I realise that may not be an option for you.

I also had very horrible periods from a young age and was put on the pill at age 12. Whenever I raise this with drs they seem disinterested but I think it’s all relevant. It’s interesting that you also had problems from a young age.

You need to be careful with adenomyosis and cysts. I'd be looking for regular scanning. Depending on the kind of cyst they can become malignant. I have had several cysts removed through the years and my most recent one was complex and had to be removed as it was the type which if left could be dodgy. My adenomyosis was also causing bulging of my uterus which was affecting my ureter and again if left unchecked may have caused kidney damage.

thanks @Podcats . I will make sure they keep on top of the scanning. So far they are suggesting 3 monthly updates so I will make sure that happens. I definitely have bulging of my uterus. In the week before my period, I could pass as 6 months pregnant and I do feel the pressure on my bladder so that's something to keep an eye on. I didn't actually link all of this together till they told me what it was (just thought I was bloated tbh). I'm a few kilos overweight, could do with losing 3 kg and I just thought it was my diet!

@WarmWinterSun do you have a daughter? what worries me is that she has exactly the same period problems as me (and is on the pill which stops the issues). She's in her 20s now. I do wonder how much of this is also hereditary. I didn't have any problems conceiving but I don't know if I was just lucky.