Would you see a doctor about this?

[April35791113]

I'm early 50s. About 18 months ago I had a very heavy bleed and had a Mirena coil inserted. I continued to have normal periods for about a year after than and then they stopped for 5 months. Then I had a light period last month and now I'm on day 7 of a very heavy period.
The doctor thought that the first bleed might be caused by a fibroid, but said I wouldn't need to see a gynaecologist if the coil settled things down.
I can't have HRT for family reasons. I'm not sure if the restarted periods is normal menopause stuff or if I need to make a doctor's appointment.

Pelvic physio told me to see the GP for any unexplained bleeding out of the ordinary in your 50s.

Yes you should. It may be a simply periods or a polyp but it’s good to know exactly.

The Mirena usually stops periods but not always.
To be on the safe side your GP should refer you for a scan.
But in peri it's unlikely to be serious as you have the coil. Everything you've described is normal for peri- missing periods, light ones, heavy ones etc.

The 'rule' for investigations is if you bleed after a gap of 12 months (without having a Mirena coil.

What are the family reasons you can't have HRT? (That would usually only be 2 first degree relatives with breast cancer at a young age. ) The MIrena is also used as the progesterone part of hrt.

Has your GP said you can't use HRT? (Some are out of date with the risks.)

There is no family history that contraindicates HRT.

Even if you have a thrombophilia, transdermal estrogen is safe.

Women with BRCA 1&2 mutations also take HRT.

Obviously any treatment is down to personal choice but nobody should feel like they "can't" take HRT unless they actually have a medical contraindication themselves (not a family history of anything).

But yes problematic bleeding particularly when unresponsive to treatment should be investigated to rule out uterine pathology.

My cardiologist said he'd strongly advise against HRT because I had uncontrollable high blood pressure for a few months and I have a family history of blood clotting issues. So my own issue as well as family history. Apologies, my first post wasn't clear on that.
I was very happy when my periods stopped and very surprised they've started again at my age.
I'll make an appointment to see my GP.

@April35791113 I hope you find some answers, but if you're unsure or need more advice, this is what the guidance is on HRT from experts including NICE and the BMS.

Not sure if you want to pursue HRT or what, but the up to date info is this, if you need it.

HRT is not contraindicated if BP is treated. Or you only had high BP for a few months, it is not contraindicated, usually. If it's now normal.

some types of HRT lower BP.

It depends what your family history is of blood clots. Most people die from CVD, so nearly everyone has a parent or family member with a history of stroke or heart disease. It depends what you mean by 'family history'.

Modern HRT does not cause blood clots. It does not raise your risk of clots above what they are already. It helps prevent heart disease if used within 10 years of menopause.

These are things you could discuss with your cardiologist or ideally they should talk to a menopause consultant to share your medical history.

You could also see a menopause specialist if you want to pursue this simply because cardiologists are not always experts in HRT.

Hope you get on okay and move forwards with some answers.

Thank to everyone who took time to post. I've made a GP appointment for later in the week and I'm going to ask for a scan first to see if I have a cyst or fibroid or anything like that going on.