topic Re: Fibroids, bleeding after Menopause in Wellness

Fibroids, bleeding after Menopause

donor — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 23:11:51 GMT

Hoping for a little reassurance and advice. Have had benign fibroids and two D@Cs over the last 3 years or so. 58 years old. Have recently started spotting again and in the last couple days WAY more than spotting. Have vaginal ultrasound on Tuesday but have any of you had this situation lately and I wonder if the treatment options have changed in the last couple years? Thank you for a little hand holding.....

Re: Fibroids, bleeding after Menopause

adelle38 — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 23:13:39 GMT

I put up with that for years before I finally had a Hysterectomy at your age. I'm so glad I did.

Re: Fibroids, bleeding after Menopause

marmot24 — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 23:27:24 GMT

Sorry you're goin thru this. I too had the same symptoms 10 yrs ago. Had 2.D&C in same year. Finally a hysterectomy solved the problem once and for all. Was just about your age too. Like Adeli it was the best thing I,ever did. No,problems since. Good luck.

Re: Fibroids, bleeding after Menopause

Lacey1 — Sun, 05 Jan 2014 23:27:41 GMT

I agree, rather than deal with D&Cs, hormones, discomfort-get the hysterectomy. I'm glad I did. If there is any history of female, (estrogen) cancer in your history-peace of mind.

Re: Fibroids, bleeding after Menopause

TootyJane — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 00:44:10 GMT

This happened to my Mom several years ago. She was about 81 when she started spotting. Her GYN kept an eye on it by performing several Pap smears, she then had a couple of D&Cs but ultimately GYN referred her to an oncologist, who did another Pap smear and it was determined she did have cancer. Mom then had a complete hysterectomy. Be your own advocate, whether or not if there is family history of cancer (my Mom's family has no history of cancer) you know your own body. Good luck to you.

Re: Fibroids, bleeding after Menopause

pattiewaddle — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 01:36:18 GMT

Yes and I was trying to reach menopause so they would stop growing.Had to see my Dr. because of so much pain....He also felt if we could get me to menopause things would be better.after my surgery he told me I had a 51/2 lb fibroid the size of a canolope. I felt so much better after the surgery..I walked alot before so that really helped me.You will feel so much better if you go ahead and have the hysterectomy.....I had been with this Dr since my early 30's so he knew my history very well.Best of luck you will be so happy that you did..

Re: Fibroids, bleeding after Menopause

Gracies Mom — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 01:43:37 GMT

Same thing happened to me at age 55 (I'm 57 now). I didn't think much of the spotting until I realized it wasn't stopping--I went six months like that until I finally went to my gyn. He did a D&C and found I had endometrial cancer!!! I was stunned!! Had a hysterectomy and thank goodness, it was not an aggressive cancer and had not spread. I opted not to go for radiation since I was assured it was non-aggressive. However, 18 months later, I started spotting again and rushed to my surgeon--he found my cancer came back--superficially--he removed it in his office and I had 28 weeks of external radiation and five weeks of internal--finished all of my treatments this past September. Now I have to be examined every three months--and I go for a CAT scan next week (just to be extra careful). I have hope that my cancer will not come back, but am seeing doctors a lot the next few years to make sure that if it does, I will catch it early.

I don't want to scare you, but I want you to GO TO THE DOCTOR and have the spotting checked out--DO NOT WAIT like I did.

God Bless and best of luck!!!

Re: Fibroids, bleeding after Menopause

adelle38 — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 01:51:08 GMT

Just to reassure you, having fibroids does not increase your chances of having uterine cancer and fibroids do not become cancerous.

Re: Fibroids, bleeding after Menopause

ahoymate — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 01:53:04 GMT

I would not get a hysterectomy, unless I had no other options. This is old medicine! Fibroids do shrink and go away after menopause.

There are new drugs & techniques. Condolezza Rice had this problem and had uterine artery embolization (UAE) Do your homework and don't be talked into a hysterectomy by your MD unless it is the last choice. Remember, they make $$ on surgery. The UAE, a radiologist performs this and therefore your gynecologist doesn't get the procedure.

Re: Fibroids, bleeding after Menopause

nagrom — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 01:53:52 GMT

Years ago I had the same problem. Only I was in my early 40s. Had taken the birth control pills but did not help. Had D&C still no relief. I was not spotting but having menstrual flooding. Went thru pads every hour along with tampons. Back then the doctors did not want to perform hysterectomies so it took two years and a change of doctors to get relief. My new doctor performed a hysterectomy and I returned to work three weeks later feeling like a new person. Got tons of energy afterwards and so worth it. My doctor said I could have a uterine ablation (spelling) but the fibroids could come back. I never regretted the hysterectomy.

Good luck. Whatever you chose to do, know you have options and the final decision is yours.

Re: Fibroids, bleeding after Menopause

adelle38 — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 02:02:22 GMT

On 1/5/2014 Skylands said:
I would not get a hysterectomy, unless I had no other options. This is old medicine! Fibroids do shrink and go away after menopause.

There are new drugs & techniques. Condolezza Rice had this problem and had uterine artery embolization (UAE) Do your homework and don't be talked into a hysterectomy by your MD unless it is the last choice. Remember, they make $$ on surgery. The UAE, a radiologist performs this and therefore your gynecologist doesn't get the procedure.

While hysterectomies aren't always necessary they are sometimes the wisest choice for severe bleeding from uterine fibroids. Fibroids don not always shrink and go away after menopause and they can cause severe health problems. UAE can work but is not always effective and has a higher rate of complications than a hysterectomy.

Re: Fibroids, bleeding after Menopause

donor — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 02:02:49 GMT

Thank you all so much for your sensitive replies. The doctor has not mentioned hysterectomy as I have only had a couple episodes and the D@C results were always benign. If this time the results are anything different I would have other choices to consider. I am way past menopause and my fibroids and bleeding only became a problem AFTER my periods stopped. It's amazing how different we all are. I will let you know how the tests this week turn out. Thanks for your kind supportive words.

Re: Fibroids, bleeding after Menopause

Lacey1 — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 02:11:32 GMT

On 1/5/2014 nagrom said:
Years ago I had the same problem. Only I was in my early 40s. Had taken the birth control pills but did not help. Had D&C still no relief. I was not spotting but having menstrual flooding. Went thru pads every hour along with tampons. Back then the doctors did not want to perform hysterectomies so it took two years and a change of doctors to get relief. My new doctor performed a hysterectomy and I returned to work three weeks later feeling like a new person. Got tons of energy afterwards and so worth it. My doctor said I could have a uterine ablation (spelling) but the fibroids could come back. I never regretted the hysterectomy.

Good luck. Whatever you chose to do, know you have options and the final decision is yours.

I, too was in my 40's and my spotting was not spotting-it was flooding! I got in trouble at work because I was doing home nursing and I stained a woman's chair! I would go thru pads every hour and could only sleep with a maxi-pad and a tampon. My doctor gave me birth control pills with no results, he suggested a D&C- I said that I wasn't going to have any more children-I wanted a hysterectomy. After the surgery, he told me my uterus was the size of a 4 month pregnant uterus. Multiple fibroids, he agreed they probably would've only got worse and he said it was very possible that they could have 'turned' after being benign. After living with that misery for so many years-it is wonderful, now.

Personally, I think the doctors would make more money off of years of diagnostic tests, procedures and medications vs. a hysterectomy.

Re: Fibroids, bleeding after Menopause

AnikaBrodie — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 02:11:34 GMT

I had spotting post menopause that ended up with a lot more than spotting; let me tell you I was scared!!! Over a period of three plus months of exams, ultrasounds, and endometrial biopsies (which did not show any medical issues) a diagnosis was made via a change in doctors (I knew something was wrong) who immediately performed a D&C. The diagnosis was endometrial cancer which is the uterine lining and it was nearly through the lining when diagnosed. I shutter to think what might have happened had I waited six months as I was advised to do by the original doctor. Upon diagnosis, I had a complete hysterectomy followed by 33 radiation treatments. Initially, I saw my doctor and an oncologist every three months for a few years. I have been in remission for several years.

My recommendation: Be your own advocate. (I can't state this strongly enough.) You know your body better than anyone else. Perhaps it's time to consider another D&C and a hysterectomy. My best wishes to you.

Note: There is no history of cancer in my immediate family.

Re: Fibroids, bleeding after Menopause

adelle38 — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 02:11:51 GMT

It sounds like you have a good doctor and I'm sure together you will come up with a solution.

Re: Fibroids, bleeding after Menopause

chessylady — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 02:23:32 GMT

I had a hysterectomy at 42 due to large fibroids, excessive bleeding and an elevated indicator for ovarian cancer. An oncologist was standing by during my surgery but thankfully I did not have cancer. I have never regretted it because now I do not have to worry about ovarian or uterine cancer. I took estrogen for two years and that was it. Good luck to you.

Re: Fibroids, bleeding after Menopause

nagrom — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 02:34:36 GMT

Lacey1 it sounds like you had the same type of runaround. All I can say is that a man would not have endured menstrual flooding while the doctors made you try the alternatives. Mine just kept getting worse and dare I say anemia issues. My new doctor was a man and my old records faxed to him. I was booked into surgery 9 days later with no problems getting approval.

Re: Fibroids, bleeding after Menopause

HarDee — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 03:16:56 GMT

If you are bleeding and you've gone through menopause you need to see your doctor, and don't put it off.

Re: Fibroids, bleeding after Menopause

Annabellethecat66 — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 03:51:19 GMT

adell and I could be twins! I mean I went through similar circumstances....except when I was 34 my Dr said that I would eventually need a Hysterectomy and I needed to decide if I wanted to have another baby (I had a 7 year old a 5 year old).

I remember that I talked to everyone and prayed about what I needed to do. I finally decided to have one more baby (my late husband's name ended with him and I though I wanted another girl, but a boy would be good too).

I got pregnant quickly and had a wonderful girl. I always tell her (she's now 33) that she's the 'icing on the cake'.....a cake is wonderful (her sisters) but the icing finishes it off and makes it even sweeter (her).

I had a hysterectomy but managed to wait a few more years. I've never regretted it for one single minute. I have several girlfriends who've had Hysterectomy's and have never regretted it for one minute (they have told me they've told their friends the same thing).

My oldest daughter is going through the same thing. She has 4 children and is finished. I am sorry to say I think when she goes to the Dr this month she will find it necessary.

Good luck to you. Many of us have been in your shoes and please know we are all doing quite well and we know that you will feel better and not regret it.

Re: Fibroids, bleeding after Menopause

jewel3 — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 05:34:14 GMT

An ultrasound will give you good answers. Most of the time it isn't cancer. I had a very aggressive case in my 50s and the dr said that it is rarely endometrial cancer before your late 60s or 70s. It's hard to wait for that ultrasound and hard not to worry but the ultrasound will give you answers. Sorry.