Dismissed by doctors again

[notamum246]

Hi all
Just wanted to see if anyone has had a similar experience..
30th April I started bleeding incredibly heavily but I was on holiday so couldn't see a GP right away. I had had my period the week before so it wasn't that. I had the worst blood clots and was changing tampon/pad every 1-2hours including at night.
Went to the GP on 5th May and she gave me a box of norethisterone to take for 10 days to stop the bleeding but ultimately said because I have always had heavy periods I should "think about hormonal treatment and track my period for three months, then come back".
The norethisterone starts working around day 6 of taking it, but 2 days after I finish the course I bleed for a day again (including clots), so I booked another appointment.
She examined me, and then urgently referred me to Gynaecology saying that my cervix looked "abnormal".

I had my gynae appointment today and I left in tears. They examined me and ruled out fibroids and polyps with an internal ultrasound and told me my random, heavy, 16-day bleed was "probably hormones or travel". The doctor found that I had an ectropion cervix, which he burned off while I was having the ultrasound. They said for treatment of my heavy periods (which was not what my referral was for) I could try hormonal contraception.

I feel as though I have been brushed off and I don't feel totally satisfied that they have ruled out everything that they should have. They didn't ask if I had any other symptoms the rest of the time (which I do) and I feel that they just wanted to get me out of the room as soon as possible. I have now booked an appointment with a private gynaecologist for a last-ditch attempt at a second opinion.

Has anyone experienced something similar? I am worried that there is a possibility of something more serious but they don't seem to care :(

Thanks in advance x

It doesn’t sound as if you were brushed off at all. Why do you think that?

It was more the gynae than the GP, he just told me everything that I already knew. I think I wanted more of an answer to what my big bleed was and to me just replying "probably hormones" feels dismissive, as well as ignoring other concerns I bought up to him

Am not sure what other answer you could have got:

They have treated an ectropion
Found out that there aren't any masses or anatomical issues causing the bleeding
You already knew you had heavy periods

There isn't a lot left cause wise except changes in your hormones or mood.

I understand it would be frustrating to not have a physical cause for the heavy bleeding and clots. I have had the same, the bleeding etc, but mine was/is due to fibroids and polyps. I have had polyps removed in two operations about 8 years apart, but I have another one there now. I am on the waiting list for a hysterectomy, but I am in my early 50s.
But back to your situation. I would try the medication. I tried a Mirena but due aforementioned fibroids it got pushed out, but as you don't have these it might work for you.
I do hope you find a solution. I haven't had a period since the start of this year (on Depo provera injection and various hrt meds) but yesterday in my morning dog walk I got the tell tale cramps and then sudden flooding about 5 mins from home. Honestly, it looked like a murder had happened in the bathroom where I was trying to get undressed😔

Heavy bleeding is actually the worst! Mine are like that too when I start 😞 I did have the coil before but it rejected after about a week like yours did, the minipill I was constantly bleeding and I can't take the combined pill due to family history. I just feel as though there could have been more of an effort to rule out or at least explain why they thought it wasn't something like endometriosis or any cervical issues as I have other symptoms too, maybe that's just me though 😞

If this has only just started happening then I agree you should keep a diary. It might just be a couple of incidents of this happening.
When I had my first polyps removed about 8 years ago I think, I had actually kept a graph diary for almost a year which showed there were more days I was bleeding, be it light or super heavy, than I wasn't. That really showed the GP and gynae just what I was dealing with. When I had it removed the surgeon came and spoke to me afterwards and said that was the largest polyp she had ever removed from someone! I wish I asked how big, but I was still woozy from the GA.
Keep the diary and keep an eye. Do you have lots of pain too or is it just the heavy bleeding and clots, as I'm pretty sure if you don't have severe pain I don't think it would be endometriosis, but I could be wrong.

I’ve had an abnormal bleed after a miscarriage - which I know isn’t quite the same situation as yours…however, as well as internal scans, my gynae did a full blood work profile for me. Did they offer anything like that for you?

I also ended up having a laparoscopy to remove a cyst and my gynaecologist told me laparoscopy is the best way for them to fully see what’s going on in there. If you’re worried about endometriosis, then that would be the procedure they would need to carry out to confirm - it can’t be diagnosed via ultrasound. Hope that helps a bit. I know what it’s like to feel left with more questions than answers after a hospital visit!

I see. Poster who suggested you keep a diary made a very good suggestion. Keep a log of symptoms. I know endometriosis can take a long time to diagnose if that is your worry.

That’s not being dismissive - it’s a very common reason for women having very heavy periods. Almost all of my female friends have had similar, and most of us have had Mirena coils fitted with great success.