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.

Completely normal for age. I wouldn’t give it a second thought

Agree! I sought her opinion because everything online is so dramatic and scary regarding periods coming closer together. I don't know if this is done intentionally, or what, but it's annoying. Many women say they have periods close together, then further apart as perimenopause progresses, but not many women come back to say if they were told it was normal or what the eventual outcome was so I felt compelled (by the internet) to seek professional advice. The professional didn't seem at all concerned! It's frustrating. I don't want to go bankrupt for basic advice but I really don't feel like we get any help at all. Where there is advice, is this from life experience or consultant experience? It's all so confusing.

There is a lot of online advice.

Look up the Balance app and website by Dr Louise Newson.

Blood tests aren't reliable.

What you're describing is completely normally for 47 OP, I'm not even sure I'd bother with an ultrasound tbh unless there were other symptoms.

I wouldn't pay for it no. If the NHS said I needed it I'd get it through them though.

My periods have become a bit closer together in my mid 40s. Like sometimes it's a few days sooner than usual. But I honestly don't feel bothered by it and assume it's normal.

Mine went all over the place 3 in quick succession then 2 months without, extra long, really short … I’m now 52 and haven’t had one since November, no hrt, no symptoms.

I had these symptoms. I assumed it was normal for perimenopause and only went to the GP eventually to ask for blood tests to see if I was anaemic as I was very tired.

In my case, it was early womb cancer. I had a pelvic ultrasound followed by hysteroscopy and biopsy. When I originally pitched up in Gynae the consultant said I shouldn't be on the urgent referral pathway (GP referred urgently after ultrasound results showed thickened womb lining) as I had a <3% chance of cancer.

@PeriStrange I hope you're fine but you should have a pelvic ultrasound to begin with. I had an MRI pre surgery

https://peachestrust.org/womb-cancer/signs-and-symptoms-of-womb-cancer/

Thank you. I'm sorry to hear of the result. This type of thing is why I visited the gyno in the first place. Were your periods heavier and closer together? Mine are lighter but I don't know if that makes a difference to anything.

How are you doing now?

I'm 47 and get shorter cycles. Every 3 weeks for a chunk of this year and now no sign if it for ages, thank goodness.

Nothing to worry about

My cycle shortened during peri. 29 days, to 27 to 25 days. All normal.

I had a patch of 16-20 days cycles, then a few that were 50-60 days, now I haven't had a period for 5 months- not sure whether it will come back or perhaps this is it. It's completely normal in peri. If she's offering a u/s for reassurance then take it but I wouldn't worry at all based on what you've said.

I'm fine now thanks. It was caught very early stage 1. I'm over 5 years since treatment now.

My periods were irregular, sometimes I'd miss a month, sometimes I'd finish one and start the next a few days or a week later. Sometimes I'd have light flow or spotting, sometimes heavy.

Basically, if your bleeding changes and isn't normal for you, you should see GP.

Thanks. I've seen the gynaecologist so thinking should just go ahead with MRI.

I don't want to pay for US + MRI when I could have done MRI and saved myself money, time and worry by doing the most comprehensive check at the outset.

I'm glad you're better xxxxxxxxxxx

I actually think they were giving you mixed messages- to suggest either because based on your other posts, they said there was nothing that would give you shorter cycles (other than peri.) Fibroids, polyps, etc do not give you shorter cycles. At 47, 3 short cycles over 18 months is nothing to worry about.

If you really want an investigation go for a scan. Cheaper and all you need. Make sure you time it as far as possible to straight after your period when the lining is thin.

It's good you were diagnosed early but on the other hand, all women have irregular cycles in peri, so where does this stop? GPs can't refer all women in peri.

Sounds completely standard peri period nonsense. I’m 48 and my periods have been all over the shop for the past few years. I’d get several really close together and then nothing for several months. Loads of flooding and clots too- wasn’t prepared for that as I’d always had fairly light and manageable periods.

It sounds like the scan has been offered for peace of mind, ie the consultant doesn’t consider it necessary but as it’s private practice, they’re happy to take some money off you for it.

If you can easily afford the scan and don’t think you’ll be able to put your mind at rest without it, then go for it. I would have to dip into my savings for something like that so personally I’d only do it if the consultant saw a real need for it.

@Waitingfordoggo (Love your name!) To be fair the consultant is unlikely to make money out of it as they are more likely to refer to another consultant who does the scans. (Not all gynaecologists do scans, some refer to consultant radiologists or other gynaes, but it varies.)

She may ask OP to see her again to discuss the results.

Cost wise it's around £300 for a scan with a consultant.

I agree 100% with your other points.

Transvaginsl ultrasound

Thanks. The cost is £600+ for MRI and I believe another £250 for follow up. The US is $400 plus the cost of the follow up.

Those fees are on the expensive side.

Will she do the scan herself or is she passing you onto someone else?

Ditto for me!

My cycles are all over the place. Sometimes closer sometimes further eg i’m currently day 36 with symptoms of pmt etc for ages but no period. This has happened several times where i’ve gone 1/2 months and the next time 17 days or so. I’m 47.

Alongside other symptoms of perimenopause i’ve just assumed like my older sister and friends that had similar that it’s peri. It’s crazy how our bodies can be affected and what things can actually be symptoms.

Id be cautious of having scans unless i needed to.

My periods got closer together and heavier in peri, it never crossed my mind to ask a GP, I was aware that it was a peri symptom. The only time I saw the GP is when I ended up anaemic. Then I had a mirena coil, and I wish I’d had it years earlier rather than put up with the periods.

Thanks for this - the only reason I visited the gynaecologist was because of the scare stories on medical websites re: periods closer than 21 days. Apparently, this is common for perimenopause but I only found out after the internet scared me into seeking a consultant. I'm still not sure how I feel about things. My head is all over the place with 'what ifs' whilst I sit here bleeding again!