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Couldn’t measure endometrium

CLCAC
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Sorry - this is a long one!

At 55, I’m still perimenopausal (4 periods in last 13/14 months - longest gap 6 months. Always had heavy periods.  Was given Conti HRT toward end of last year (about 3 months since last period) by Locum GP.  Within 6-8 weeks I had puffy/swelling at front armpit + tender breast, so immediately stopped HRT + went to breast clinic. Had thorough check-up (mammo, ultrasound, manual exam by consultant) + all fine. Likely hormonal/menopause. Then month later had heavy period, followed by another next month. Nothing since.  Pretty awful perimenopause symptoms continue and I discussed going back on HRT.  My GP says she wouldn’t have given Conti as I wasn’t past menopause + it can cause bleeds etc.  She then said, as I was nearly 55, she wanted everything checked out before giving me any HRT at all as I’m old to not be fully menopausal and was referring me to One-Stop Gyn to be sure nothing was ‘going on’.  Also put me on Ramipril (BP was high). I had bloods done in May + was just bit low in iron (have since been told they also did thyroid + ca125 and they were ‘OK’ - wasn’t told any numbers + actually only got results because I hadn’t heard anything so phoned.

Within a few days of GP saying she’s referring me, I got a phone call saying they had a cancellation, so I got internal ultrasound, where Doctor said he couldn’t get a good measurement of lining so did a biopsy! He said biopsy had lot of mucus which was reassuring? I should’ve asked exactly what referral said, but I wasn’t really thinking straight.  I did ask if ovaries etc looked OK and he said yes. He only asked twice how many kids I had, my age and when I last had a period.


I Had unrelated private TVUS (had one same time last year as well, as part of insurance) + nothing untoward found and said endometrium was even and 4mm - I didn’t tell GP/Gyn about this.

 I am now getting concerned about -

-am I too old to still be in perimenopause?

Could Conti HRT have been dangerous?

Why wouldn’t he have been able to measure my lining?

Sorry for endless post and questions!  Just wanted to offload a bit!

  • Hi CLCAC,

    It sounds like you've been through quite a bit with all of this and I can understand there must be some confusion and uncertainty.

    Unfortunately I'm not able to advise on your questions. It would be your doctor who is best placed to help with these, although I'm sure you must have talked a lot through with them already. I'm not sure if you have any further appointments or next steps planned, but hopefully you will have a further opportunity to talk things through.

    You are also welcome to give our nurses a call, which may be helpful for you. You can reach them on 0808 800 4040 (Monday-Friday, 9-5).

    Otherwise hopefully you'll get some more replies here, particularly from anyone else with similar experience.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Ben
    Cancer Chat Moderator

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    Hopefully your GP/doctors are just being thorough and erring on the side of caution. I think heavy irregular periods are quite common during perimenopause - I know a lot of my friends endured heavy bleeding/flooding etc and were also checked out by gynae. They've all been between 54 and 58 when they reached menopause. I'm 57 and not there yet - GP classes it as 'late menopause' but not uncommon.

    I'm presuming you've not had the results back properly from your ultrasound yet or the biopsy results. It will hopefully all get a bit clearer then. I, myself, was referred late June 2022 for irregular and prolonged bleeding, bloating etc and I had the ultrasound scans, hysteroscopy with biopsy, CT and MRI scans and blood tests and they sent me the outcome of each 'test' in writing as well as a 'next steps ' letter, though it took around 4 weeks for me to get them. I then had to ring my GP to help me understand. I had ovarian cysts (one at 5.5cm), fibroids, polyps, thickened womb lining.

    All my results came back normal bar the CA19.9 (that gave me an additional referral to different dept) . My problems were put down to hormonal imbalance and I had the polyps removed and a mirena coil inserted with further scans for the cysts and womb biopsies at 6 and 12 months, the idea being the coil would give hrt and regulate the womb lining. I was told I would need 2 clear biopsies before I could be discharged and that that should take me through 5 years, by which time I would be through menopause and problems would all be hopefully resolved. My results letters at 6 months also took 4 weeks to arrive, the 12 month check ups took 1-2 weeks. Sadly for me the non-surgical option has not worked.

    I hope all goes well for you and that you get a good outcome. It is a very confusing and worrisome time and the waiting is horrible

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