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.

Thank you so much!!!

I have two friends who are experiencing twice monthly periods in perimenopause. My periods are much further spaced out!

It's really normal.

Is it a trans vaginal us? Because I'm not sure if they see fibroids or polyps anyway - I've had two, and the fibroids and polyps weren't seen until I had a hysteroscopy under ga.

In your position, I'd speak to my GP about it all, because the gynae can't look at the interaction with the thyroid issues, or other health matters your GP will be aware of.

I'm the same age and have/had 3x 1cm fibroids discovered in my 30's when having fertility testing when TTC. My cycles are still regular, but over the past 8yrs have gone from a 32day cycle to a 26day cycle. In the early days I mentioned it in passing to my GP who said its a sign of peri. I don't sleep the best and get aches, so should go back to ask about HRT. No mentioned of it needing investigating though.

If you want to have the U/Sound or MRI, then its up to you. An MRI will provide better details of structures than an U/Sound though.

Did you tell your doctor that you were specifically worried about cancer? There are blood tests that they can do for womb and ovarian cancer so that would be the obvious starting point for me? It sounds like your doctor is telling you that she doesn't think anything is wrong but if you want reassurance you could go for an US or an MRI, and she's recommending the US. An MRI takes much longer and quite stressful, especially if you are already suffering from anxiety. A transvaginal ultra sound can be done quickly and usually gives a decent view of the womb.

Did you tell your doctor that you were specifically worried about cancer?

No, because I wasn't. I told her that experiences from others on SM suggested that I should be (due to their own anxieties and possibly down to lack of medical access and education) and many medical websites said periods under 21 days need to be investigated. That's why she was consulted.

The letter I posted confirms why she's recommended an MRI. I'm not worried about having one. I just don't want to pay for one if it's not warranted. IMO, both scans and the follow up are expensive if they are not required and, apart from 'peace of mind', I can't see why they would be required if early cycles are just a normal part of peri.

Sounds typical of peri to me, my periods were all over the shop from about 45. I’d have one that would be light, then another a couple of weeks later, then skip one, then flooding out of nowhere, absolute nightmare.

One thing I've read that really annoys posters on MN is when someone asks for help and doesn't confirm what, if any, advice they have taken.

So, as a thank you, I'm updating to confirm that I am not going forward with any scans at this time.

I'd like to thank everyone for sharing your experiences! You've really helped me with understanding what is normal, in the real world and not the clinical world, so that I can make an informed decision.

Thanks again and let me know if I can ever return the favour! 💞

I just carried tampons wherever I went. Yes it's annoying not to know when your period will start or how heavy it will be but in my case that stage didn't last long- probably only a year.

The thing is you are possibly going to get a lot of symptoms. I had new symptoms even after my periods had stopped. So if you have investigations for everything you will spend a lot of time and money. Early symptoms for me- itchy ears, terrible clumsiness, tingling fingers and toes, indigestion. Followed a year later by rage and panic attacks, insomnia, a sense of doom. After menopause joylessness, vaginal atrophy, vertigo, even more extreme clumsiness, loss of libido. All cleared by the wonderful thing that is HRT.

That's a good call.
Thanks for letting us know.

I'd be interested in who your dr was and where the scans were. They are more expensive than what is considered the most expensive area of London!