Still Peri at 58 + fibroids - sick of it!

[hildaogden99]

I'll try to keep this as brief as possible, but won't be easy! I'm 58 and have still not reached menopause. I have a long history of fibroids dating back to 2013 which have caused horrendous heavy bleeding in the past and for which I've had 3 lots of surgery (most recently 2022) but they grew back every time! Hysterectomy has been discussed briefly several times but as I "must be close to menopause when fibroids shrink" it was decided not worth it. I'm still here!!!!

My periods got much lighter after my last surgery 3.5 years ago but still happening, albeit erraticly and with lots of random spotting inbetween. I was sent for an ultrasound in late 2023 as I was having light periods/spotting less than 3 weeks apart - all normal apart from the usual fibroids. Settled down for a while after that and seemed to be spacing out, giving me hope the end was in sight! Then last November I had a light period that wouldn't stop and after 4 weeks needed tablets to stop it. I was also given another ultrasound - again all normal apart from fibroids. I was frustrated that I was still in peri and my GP had no answers so sent me to see a gynecologist. I didn't get to see him until March, by which time the bleeding had settled down again and I'd actually skipped a period for the first time ever! He gave me the impression not being menopausal at my age was very rare and that I must be very close. He said that if I had any more significant bleeding, I must come back and he'd do a biopsy, which worried me. After that I had a very light period in April then no more bleeding of any kind until early July when I had a tiny bit of brown spotting. Every since then, I've had slight mostly brown spotting every two weeks lasting no more than a couple of days each time, and my peri symptoms, that have always been minor, have ramped right up and are becoming unmanageable. I seem to have every single one now!

I have avoided HRT to date as I'm worried about the estrogen affecting my fibroids and no doctor has been able to reassure me that it won't. However, I can't take the symptoms anymore. I have an appointment with a different GP this week who apparently has a special interest in menopause, so will see what she says. Meanwhile, I woke up last night to mild cramping and a small gush of fresh blood (last bit of brown spotting was a week ago). It soon turned brown and seems to have stopped now, touch wood, but bloody hell!!!!

Has anyone had similar? Am I really that freakish still being peri at 58?? Could the fibroids be delaying things, causing me to keep on bleeding? (Google suggests not). Kind of regretting not having a hysterectomy all those years ago frankly!

Sorry this has got long but I'm really desperate!

🙏

Maybe you need to take up the offer of a biopsy?
Fibroids may be there, but they aren't always the only reason for bleeding.
Fibroids just increase the surface area of the endometrium, so you get more bleeding during periods.

Ultrasounds are only reliable if they are done by a consultant who is experienced in finding issues. Not sure who did yours? There is a huge difference in expertise. I've had lots of scans (privately by consultants who specialise in just that) and you won't necessarily have an accurate 'reading' from a technician if they are just measuring the lining or looking at a fibroid.

Apologies if this was not the case.

It's standard to do a biopsy for the amount of bleeding you've had. Take it up?

Having recently had a huge fibroid removed, which I do believe was caused by HRT I can sympathise OP. You're likely not having periods, it's the fibroids causing what appears to be menstruation. I had stopped my periods for over a year then suffered daily bleeding and cramping for a year until diagnosis and then removal.

I haven't bled or had any cramps since it was removed a few months ago which has honestly been life changing. If it comes back I want a hysterectomy, which is the only way I would risk hrt again.

At this point I would be pushing for one if you feel you need oestrogen , or at least removal of the fibroids.
It's barbaric to me that women are expected to live with these fibroids. Mine was life changing, I had to leave my job, I couldn't make any plans to do anything, couldn't exercise and just in chronic pain every single day with massive bloating, it's not ok.

Thanks. I have had 3 lots of biopsies over the years via hysterocopy done by a consultant when my fibroids were removed (last one 2022), this is in addition to multiple transvaginal ultrasounds (last on December 2024) done by various medical people (not sure of their job titles). I will certainly ask the GP about being referred for biopsy as I guess what I'm experiencing could be described as "significant bleeding", despite being light.

Transvaginal scans didn't pick up my fibroid, despite it being the size of a grapefruit. My GP had said just to repeat the scan and wasn't even going to refer my for a hysteroscopy but I had a follow up appointment with a gynae consultant not long after and he said another scan was a waste of time and sent me for an urgent hysteroscopy. Ultrasounds can be quite limited in diagnoses in my experience as previous polyps were also missed.

Thank you. My fibroids are very small submucousal ones that grow under the lining which I'm told can be as problematic as the bigger ones. I won't accept another fibroid removal surgery, given that I've had this done 3 times and they've grown back every time! My periods have never stopped although they are now reduced to light spotting (have been aneamic in the past due to heavy periods). Glad you got yours sorted.

After 3 fibroid removals over 5 years another one grew a year later. I opted for a partial hysterectomy last Oct- although I’m not in UK anymore. One OBGYN said she didn’t believe the estrogen levels were high enough in HRT to produce fibroids and another one said of course it’ll affect it. I am not sure it’s conclusively known.

I was worried of the exact scenario you’re describing. I am only 50. It was making me physically and mentally unwell. 6 months post hysterectomy I am regaining my health and weight dropping off again.

Revisit the hysterectomy if you can. I had mine robotically so only a two week ish recovery period.

It very much depends on who does them.
There are consultants whose speciality is ultrasounds, at the highest level.

How can a TV miss a fibroid that big????

You can quite possibly still be having periods but the only way to rule out hyperplasia and endo cancer is a biopsy.

How can a TV miss a fibroid that big????

I wondered that too! My small ones have been seen on every TV I've ever had!

@JinglingSpringbells you are always very knowledgeable on menopause matters so I wondered if you were a medical professional or just someone who has a very keen interest, perhaps through personal experience? Hope you don't mind me asking 😊

Sharing experience of over 15 years on HRT through a consultant and the various 'tests' I've had over the years.

I'm sorry to hear this. It can be a pain when women our age (50s) are still in peri.
I still have some heavy bleeding every month. I had a scan and tests last year, and a few doctors told me that my fibroids are small and will disappear when I reach menopause. I wanted to get another scan, but my GP told me it’s not necessary and that I don’t need one. I checked her profile, and she is a specialist in women’s health, but I’m not sure if that includes menopause.
My friends, cousins, and colleagues are either menopausal or postmenopausal, so I feel like the odd one out! Also, hardly any of them experience the various physical and emotional symptoms due to hormonal changes.

I hope you find answers from your appointment. All the best. x

To update, have now seen the GP who was rather concerned I'm 58 & still bleeding. She shared the gynecologist's view that to not be menopausal at my age was not normal! Has referred me for another ultrasound plus bloods on 2ww to check hormones before deciding next steps.