57, still in peri & fibroids! Hysterectomy?

[hildaogden99]

I'm 57 and still having regular periods. I also have a 10 year history of fibroids for which I've 3 lots of surgery as the buggers keep growing back! Although hysterectomy was mentioned it was decided against as it was assumed menopause would happen soon, resolving the problem. After the last surgery nearly 3 years ago my periods were much lighter and after a while started to get a bit further apart (were previously horrendous & less than 3 weeks apart) so I was hopeful the end was in sight. Unfortunately, last summer I had a spate of 18 day cycles and random spotting so had an ultrasound which showed nothing but a few small fibroids, so they were starting to make a comeback! Then things settled down again and for most of this year I've been in a pattern of a lightish period every 4-5 weeks, although I did have two close together back in April. Unfortunately, my last two cycles have been shorter again, around 25 days, and my latest period is now in its 4th week!!! It's not particularly heavy (often not much more than spotting) but it won't stop and I'm fed up!!

I'm starting to regret not having a hysterectomy years ago, although I avoided as was told I'd need an abdominal due to a bulky uterus and assume that's still the case. I'm going to go back to the GP but unsure what I should be asking for. I've avoided HRT to date as worried the oestrogen will make the fibroids grow, plus I'm sensitive to progesterone. I'm thinking of asking for a hysterectomy to end this once and for all! Any suggestions?

Thanks in desperation 😑

Anyone?

I don't have any advice for you but I know that if I was 57 and in this situation I'd have a hysterectomy. A gynaecologist could also give you a temporary menopause with medication - six months of that might shrink your fibroids and would stop the bleeding.

I would ask for the hysterectomy. This would resolve the fibroid issue for good. Could have a partial hysterectomy to keep the ovaries though.

Thanks for the replies. I'm going to make an appointment to discuss. Really can't afford the recovery time but still bleeding at 57 is just depressing. I've also read scary things about late menopause increasing the cancer risk. Most of my peers went through menopause years ago and even my younger sister stopped at 55.

I think at 57 I’d have the hysterectomy.
It I was in my 40s no but you are past the average age for menopause

Hi what surgery did you have to remove the fibroids? What age where were you when you had the surgery ?

Go for it. Keep your ovaries but get rid of the fibroids - you must be exhausted.

I'm the same age as you and still having periods. I started HRT and had a mirena coil put in together with patches. Still spotting every day 18mths after the coil was put in.
I was told I had small fibroids.
I asked for a hysterectomy but was refused as currently HRT is controlling things (by that they mean I should be grateful I am only spotting and not bleeding).
Good luck I hope you get this resolved. It's so draining.
My sister is 3 years older that me (60) and still bleeding regularly.

I’m your age OP with the same issues. I’ve had an ablation, 18 months of zoladex to stop my periods and HRT to counteract the side effects, fibroids and adenomyosis. Still have hideous periods. Tried mirena twice over the years, no joy.

I take progesterone and the ‘acids’ plus naproxen during periods.

I have declined a hysterectomy because of the risk and recovery time. I’d need a big cut because my uterus is bulky. Surgery seems like a big risk for the benefit of what could be two years period free when I’ve had gynae issues for thirty years! If I’d been offered one ten years ago I’d have jumped at the chance, but I wasn’t.

You can certainly ask for a hysterectomy but be aware of how long the waiting lists can be. I was called by the hospital for a pre-op a couple of weeks ago, 32 months after the consultant had agreed I could have the surgery. By that point I had long given up on the NHS and had had the surgery privately a year ago since I was on the verge of having to give up work due to the bleeding and anaemia. I was stunned when I received the call as I’d assumed the GP had taken me off the waiting list since they knew I’d had the surgery privately.

The surgery itself was fine. I had an abdominal hysterectomy and had everything removed; after that experience with the NHS, I wanted to make sure I’d never have to see a gynaecologist again.

No waiting list here, I was advised that I could pick a date to suit my diary.

I stopped at 59 and was told that's not unheard of. Average age just means there is a cluster around a certain age, the rest of us will fall on either side of the spectrum. I got through two Mirenas and they were great.

I had open hysterectomy age 42, it has been worth it for me , my life was absolutely terrible with bleeding, anaemia and a massive uterus. It is a long recovery, I would say 8 weeks rather than the 6 weeks they tell you.

Partial hysterectomy is uterus only removed and cervix kept as opposed to total which is uterus and cervix removed . It’s not always recommended as some uterine cells can remain on the cervix but of course everyone’s case is different.

Yes, it was eight weeks recovery for me too. But, apart from the first couple of days, I found the recovery much more manageable than the symptoms I’d had previously (or, at least, trying to manage a demanding job alongside those symptoms). It really was nowhere near as bad as I’d been led to believe. After those eight weeks I was doing all kinds of activities that I hadn’t been able to do for years.

Yes , the same for me. Nothing could be as bad as how I was living before !

I think the benefit at 42 outweighs the risk, I don’t think that’s the case at 57 when the end is potentially in sight.

I would ask for a hysterectomy, I had one and it was the best thing I did. The first couple of weeks are hard with regards to the recovery but after that I was fine if I I didn't over do it. I wish I had done years before I did. I had a big cut as I had a 20 cm fibroid but by 6 weeks after was able to do everything I had before but without the stress of bleeding heavily for 6 days a month.

There are so many factors with hysterectomy, it is definitely not an easy decision to make.

It was resection. My fibroids are/were growing into the lining so couldn't be completely removed. I had 3 lots of surgery aged 46, 49 & 54.

Thanks for all the messages. Was meant to have telephone appointment with GP today but they never called 😑 so will have to try again next week and hope I don't bleed to death in the meantime.

lol do you have tranexamic acid if you are able to have that ?

I also have recurring fibroids and removals (once under GA because they'd got too big for a local). I'm younger and thinking that I might be on the cusp of perimenopause, but I do wonder whether I'd notice because I get very regular bleeding with the fibroids and think it's possible I could mistake that for periods, so carry on monthly bleeding past menopause and not know I was postmenopausal (my mother and grandmother both had very 'easy' menopauses, just stopped bleeding with no other symptoms). Not having actually gone through it yet (reasonably confident), I'm not sure how realistic that is. Is there a chance of that for you, op? In that case I'd ask for a hysterectomy like a shot. If you're definitely not menopausal yet then I'd be inclined to wait - it can't be far away, surely.

Hope you get your appointment soon.

Thanks. The bleeding stopped over the weekend so was going to leave it for a bit, but now it's back 😡