Fibroids and oestrogen

[Sortmylifeout52]

I've been on HRT ( patch /utrogestan and now mirena) for a few years. I've never felt great, but just ticked along.

Recently, I've been experiencing a lot of abdominal pain and discomfort. A pelvic scan revealed a 6 cm fibroid outside a bulky uterus.

I also experienced some bleeding last week and am waiting for a gynae appointment on the 2 week pathway ( post menopausal).

Does oestrogen feed fibroids?

I've decided to come off hrt and have the mirena removed, until this fibroid is dealt with ( I want it removed ideally)

I am petrified. Really scared how I will be without HRT. Anxiety, low mood and feeling jittery were key reasons why I went on it to begin with. But of late, I've felt so unwell with period pains/ tummy ache/ nausea etc. I don't know which is worse?

Any experiences of HRT and fibroids?

Thanks.

Mirena is one of the main initial treatments for fibroids. So I would have a discuss with a gynae before having it removed.

HRT increases risk of having fibroids afaik

I've never had HRT & I had 'too many to count' fibroids, though. Very little ones. They are normal at this sort of age & typically sort themselves out. I don't think mine caused any symptoms.

I had horrendously heavy "can't leave the house" periods due to fibroids and was told they'd go after menopause and nothing could be done so had a Mirena...all good, still had light bleeding but fine. My peri menopause symptoms increased so after a while I started Oestrogel. Within 9 months my bleeding got worse again and I expelled the Mirena! Had another one inserted which I expelled after 2 months. Bled heavily for 6 weeks. I have an ultrasound later this week to check the fibroids and the consultant (private) said she'd just remove them if needed. Since the second Mirena came out I've stopped the oestrogen and not on any HRT. I was terrified but you know what...weirdly I feel like the me of 5 years ago again and I wouldn't go back on HRT now. Have energy band mojo back! I only went down the track due to heavy periods and I think the progesterone made me feel so crap I thought I needed the oestrogen. Appreciate HRT is amazing for a lot of women but you may be surprised at how you feel without it. I just need to sort out the bleeding (none for a month since so all ok atm) and I'll be fine!

Thanks all.
Last September the fibroid was tiny ( mirena was fitted in the May).

Fast forward to July, fibroid has grown to 6cm).

The period pains kicked in probably May time this year, which I was attributing to this fibroid.

The minute I come off systemic oestrogen, my bladder plays up ( I already use Ovestin and vagifem daily) my mood dips and I'm raging all day. But I don't want to be on Hrt, but It's a constant balancing act all the time and I hate it.

@Idontlikeshouting did any previous symptoms appear initially?

Fibroid I think I also pressing on a nerve. It's not in the uterus, hence no regular bleeding I guess ?

Will see what gynae say anyway.

I had a bit of rage etc but it was mainly the heavy periods that made me seek help in the first place...if it hadn't been for those I'm not sure I would've gone on HRT.

The combination of both progesterone and oestrogen worked well for a while to balance me out but now I'm off it (as obvs can't just take oestrogen) I wonder if the oestrogen was just balancing out the adverse effects of the progesterone, but from the fibroids aspect I do think the addition of oestrogen is what made them grow and eventually push the coil out, but that's just my layman opinion!

Not sure what the answer is but hopefully you'll get some answers soon - fingers crossed for you.

interestingly I’ve had occasional stomach pains and only recently wondered about HRT and the fibroid I know I have. I also think it might be constipation though so I’m
not sure. I see stomach aches mentioned if the Facebook HRT groups pretty regularly so I think you could be right.

Same boat having started HRT a year ago and discovered a fibroid 6pmths ago. Now it's hurting and causing bleeding.

Terrified to stop HRT. How was your experience OP? What did you decide in the end?

@SoftPillowAllNight well it's not been great. The fibroid has grown significantly and is pressing on my bowel. It's stretched my womb to the size of a 24 week pregnancy too!

I'm fatigued and in pain. Hysterectomy for me urgently I am told and no HRT! 🙈

@Sortmylifeout52 - omg, sorry to hear that.

Did you have to go cold turkey on HRT? Is UAE not an option before hysterectomy?

@SoftPillowAllNight yes gynae wants me to go cold turkey. Between you, me and this forum, I simply can't do that! My body will go into shock. She was having none of it and i will discuss with them again next week how I can't just stop hrt.

Unfortunately the beast appears nasty. Unsure what that means exactly, but I am 52, had my kids and happy to get rid of all reproductive organs.

What will you do?

We are so much in the same boat!! I'm 46 and done and dusted with kids too. My big fibroid is 7cm (6 months ago), I wonder how big it might be now.

I can't go cold turkey either and from what I've read it's not good for the body. I'm going to speak to my GP who is a bit sensible and then go for a private second opinion.

I do think the HRT is feeding the fibroids - which is something I had asked my gyn when we first found the fibroids. But he said it may not affect the fibroids and doesn't do for many women. I wasn't ready to consider stopping HRT then anyway. Now, apparently I'm one of the unlucky ones whose fibroids like HRT hence I have to stop - although he didn't push me, he did say it will help the fibroid symptoms (but gift me peri symptoms instead)

I'm thinking of going for a half dose of oestrogen for couple weeks to see how I feel. Not making any sudden decisions without 2/3 opinions in the mix.

@Sortmylifeout52 - see prev reply

@SoftPillowAllNight yes it does sound as though we are in a similar situation.

I think coming off HRT suddenly, would be carnage! The body would complete freak out!

7cm is a fair size. Mine was 6cm in July and now 8cm! Gyne thinks my f likes the oestrogen too, but so do I!

What sort of pain are you in?

Fibroids can be removed easily enough, but their size does depend on how they are removed, location and whether they are impacting on other organs ( they can do that unfortunately).

Keep monitoring and consider your options ☺️

@Sortmylifeout52 - mine was 7cm in April so likely bigger by now

I prefer embolisation to removal of fibroids as I have a medical history which means I should avoid any surgery if possible in the abdomen area (just my luck!!)

I've had quite regular periods even before HRT and on HRT as well. But my past period came early and towards the end was very very heavy - with lot of stabbing pain and tremendous weakness. Stretched out my period to 6 days instead of the usual 2-3 light days. Not yet recovered from this and still feel like I've been hit by a truck.

Can't decide what's worse - fibroids or no-HRT!

I know. I feel we are really put through the mill with these fibroids and hrt dilemmas!

If your fibroid is proving to be problematic, I would get the ball rolling for the embolisation asap.
Then see what is the lowest dose HRT you can get away with.

I asked this question to the gyne , but she just said " stop immediately " This is totally stressing me out!

I hope you recover from your nasty period. Keep an eye on things, don't let it get too bad bleeding wise 🌺

@Sortmylifeout52 - do let me know what you decide on HRT and I'll tell you too.

Skipped last night and woke up drenched

@SoftPillowAllNight oh no, it's awful I agree. I skipped a day last week and was hot and irritated all night too.

Gynae told me to come off immediately, but I can't see why it had to be so drastic. Transdermal hrt doesn't pose a blood clot risk ( I don't think) Maybe it's to slow down the growth of the thing?

Keep me posted.

I also have a fibroid and from what I read they are actually caused by oestrogen dominance, which is common for women in their 40s. I haven't taken HRT, but was hoping to be able to when peri-menopause got bad.
My gynae recommended a hysterectomy, which I find to be an extreme solution and I have my own thread on that.

@Gwenhwyfar - do you mind linking to your thread please?
Do the fibroids give you any trouble yet?

Hi

It's here: Treatment for fibroids | Mumsnet
I've done more research since I posted that and a bit of reading about what increases oestrogen in the body, which supplements could help and which could make it worse. I'm not ready to give up drinking, which seems to be one of the most oestrogenic things.

As for trouble - much heavier periods on first days, but this can happen at my age anyway and it also pressed on my bladder so problems linked to that.

@Gwenhwyfar - thanks for the link, that's a great thread with a lot of good information.

Have you decided yet? I do think hysterectomy is too extreme. Maybe you could consider a UAE, if/when you have unbearable symptoms. That's the route I've been considering. My fibroid was found 6 months ago and now I've started to have some problems. I'm going to get a second (and third if necessary) opinion before I decide.

Did anyone have to have a hysteroscopy to know whether their uterine lining was too thick? Or did your doctors rely on US/MRI?

UAE would be my choice, but it wasn't offered as a possibility by the gynaecologist at the time - either hysterectomy or watch and wait, neither of which seems a good idea to me.
I'll have an MRI in a few weeks and will hopefully know more about the size and type of fibroid I have and which treatments are possible. So far I've only had an ultrasound, but I don't know the size of it exactly or where it is other than it is pressing on my bladder and I presume it's medium sized.