Shorter menstrual cycles at 47, ultrasound or MRI for reassurance?

[PeriStrange]

NC because I don't like broadcasting health things to people because I'm shy about it!!!!

My periods are occasionally getting closer together, 16 days, 19 days and now 20 days, with today being the third occasion out of 18 months or so.

I've met with a gynaecologist and she suggested an ultrasound or MRI, for peace of mind, but suspects the issue could be anything from my diet, stress, thyroid, perimenopause, polyps or fibroids. She says there is nothing suggesting anything scary, which was a relief.

But, she said she'd consider an ultrasounds to check for fibroids or polyps, at the very least.

My first question is: has anyone had this done and just continued on without hormone therapy, afterwards? Has anyone had this done and found anything and, if so, what happened next?

My second question is: should I do the utlrasound or MRI? The MRI sees more areas i.e. bladder, bowel, from my understanding, but is about £200 more. I don't know if it's overkill or just good investment for 'peace of mind'.

I'm 47 yo and started periods around 11.

Thanks so much for any advice or experiences. Navigating this is just strange and lonely.

I think what you're experiencing is (sadly) normal for many women in perimenopause. Strange you would be getting a MRI if the gynae doesn't suspect anything odd/awry but if it gives you peace of mind then go for it

Mine are really erratic and close together now - I’m 49- but I’ve just presumed it’s peri and fingers crossed that they will bugger off forever soon

At what age did your mother start experiencing menopausal symptoms?

Daughters very often follow suit.

Unfortunately, she had a full hysterectomy (due to fibroids) when she was 45 so we don't know.

Are you in the UK, OP?
A 47 yo woman presenting with shorter menstrual cycles with no other health issues seems very, very normal. Perimenopause.
I don't know why an MRI would be recommended.

It sounds completely standard for perimenopause. I’m really surprised that the doctor is suggesting a scan at all without any additional symptoms.

I’m 46 and my periods have started getting closer together. They used to be every 30-32 days and now it’s 26/27 then occasionally get a longer cycle. I think this sort of thing is normal unless you’re experiencing other worrying symptoms.

Yes, in the UK. The gynaecologist didn't recommend MRI she just said it was available, if I wanted it, and gave me the price compared to ultrasound.

She said she would have an ultrasound, due to periods coming closer together, but I could choose to do nothing because my symptoms didn't seem alarming.

We talked about HRT and she said she wouldn't recommend this for me, at this time, as my only symptoms are the periods getting closer together on 2 previous occasions when we met. She asked me if my libido had changed, if I was tired and some other things, before saying she wouldn't recommend HRT.

We talked about me having hypothyroidism, which I've had for 27 years, and how it's gone to hyperthyroidism based on weight loss etc.

We talked about my diet which is crazy but she congratulated me for my weight loss...lol

I told her that 10-15 years ago, I had an ultrasound that confirmed a peduncular fibroid but she said it wouldn't just suddenly start causing issue all these years later. It could be polyps but she looked doubtful and I booked the appointment because I'd read scary things about the big 'C' which she knew.

So, I think she offered the scans for this reason i.e. so I could have peace of mind about C rather than her having any concerns.

Hope this makes sense, thanks so much all for taking the time to help.

I haven't been to a gynaecologist since I had DC and that was many years ago!! Not sure what is normal or what is not so all advice is so helpful, thank you.

Thank you. I have thought about doing no scan at all but then got spooked by my period showing up on day 20 today. Would you decline the scans, at this stage, and just wait for it all to play out?

I would get a blood test (or whatever test they do) to see if you are peri menopausal and if yes would view the period changes as part of that and have no scans.

Did your GP refer you to the gynae?
Is this private health care?

Self-referred, private.

It's a very odd outcome.
At 47 most women's cycles change.
Why would it need investigations?

Is this privately, as it's not NHS advice nor even privately!

I’m due to have one same reason, standard procedure now for changes in bleeding patterns. Nothing to be worried about.

Thank you. Are you doing ultrasound or MRI?

Mine have been like that since I reached perimenopause. I occasionally get a longer gap but my latest cycle was only 13 days, even with HRT. I had an ultrasound to check for thickened uterine lining but it was normal so I just have to put up with the frequent bleeds.

You don't need a U/S for shorter cycles at 47.

You only need investigations if you have irregular bleeding well outside a normal-ish cycle , or flooding that is causing issues.

During peri, cycles can be all over the place.
I had a relatively late menopause at 53 but leading up to that I did have one 17 day cycle and from my early 50s my cycles dropped from the usual 30 days to less- like 28/27/26 days and fewer.

These irregular cycles could last for some years. Honestly, you are normal!

Aside from what everyone else has said, did she test your thyroid levels when she said you’d gone hyper?

Thyroid issues often cause changes to periods.

No, my annual review is due shortly so she said get those checked for results and request a blood test to check for menopause but said the test wasn't 100% reliable for menopause.

She said she wouldn't pay for it, out of pocket and that some GPs have withdrawn the checks, but it was worth a try just for a guide on testosterone levels since my annual review was due, anyway.

Thank you so much for this info. She did say HRT wasn't a guarantee period regulator so wouldn't recommend taking it just on the basis of irregular periods without other symptoms.

My nhs gp was fairly u worried by by shortening but heavier cycles. Told me a was far too young for hrt / perimenopausenand sent me packing. It sounds your gynae is being 'thorough' because you can be charged for it rather than any actual concerns.

Yes, I got the gyst that since I initiated the appointment, based on scare stories online, which I was transparent and honest about, she was telling me they could scan me if it offered me 'peace of mind' but her report said nothing suggested any issues.

She said scans can help detect polyps, which can cause issues, but the issues she said they cause (apart from shortened cycles) are not issues I am experiencing.

Yes, I got the gyst that since I initiated the appointment, based on scare stories online, which I was transparent and honest about, she was telling me they could scan me if it offered me 'peace of mind' but her report said nothing suggested any issues.

She said scans can help detect polyps, which can cause issues, but the issues she said they cause (apart from shortened cycles) are not issues I am experiencing.

I really feel this information should be more widely available. I always thought that menopause meant less frequent periods, instead I got a two-for-the-price-of-one deal. Sometimes I get one a month but it’s twice a month quite often.

She's right.
You need to stop thinking this is anything unusual or that needs investigation.

'Scare stories online' are probably not about normal peri and cycles that change from month to month.

The more serious issues are usually ones about women in their older age, late 50s and onwards who experience unusual bleeding and in rare cases it's endometrial cancer.

That's very different to women in peri.