endo, HRT and scans

[Teaandtwosugars]

Hi all,

I am 48 and have been on HRT since august 2020 for meno symptoms. I started on cyclical and after two years moved to sequential, oestrogel and utrogesten daily,

Last December I stated to get low pelvic pain, extremely sore breasts and I started to bleed heavily with clots.

I spoke to the GP before new year and she referred me for a scan.

The scan shows multiple fibroids and endometriosis patches in multiple areas, they also diagnosed a condition called adenomyosis. Along with this, the scan says there are bilateral mass in ovaries, possible endo material but need further examination.

Before peri menopause symptoms and starting HRT I have always suffered with horrific periods…large clots, debilitating pain, nausea etc etc…unfortunately my GP’s have never been particularly interested in looking into this further and it was just a case of get on with it. I was offered a coil on two occasions but they were unable to actually implant this despite (painfully) trying.

So now I have been referred on what was the 2 week pathway, which I’m grateful for and am having a c125 test? My appt came today and isn’t for another 3 weeks.

My concerns are that as I was unaware of endo and have been taking HRT, could I have made the whole situation worse? I have been feeling a bit angry that I was never taken seriously when I complained multiple times over the years about the issues I was having with my periods, I was unable to go out for 2 days a month due to sickness and flooding!

I’m carrying on with HRT as usual for now as I’m scared of meno symptoms returning, but I’ve reduced the gel by a small amount.

My appt with specialist meno clinic was booked in May 23 and I was given a telephone appt for July 24, I’ve only been seen by GP last two years, so I’m glad I’m seeing a gynae now!

[Marcia71]

adenomyosis is when endo affects the actual muscle of the uterus. It can cause pain and heavy bleeding.

In terms of hrt combined continuous is recommended - so always oestrogen and progesterone. Every day. Oestrogen only can feed endo but severe endo produces its own oestrogen too. So it’s difficult to say if hrt made it worse or not.

[Teaandtwosugars in reply to Marcia71]

Thank you ☺️

[Sunset-lady]

Hi. Many women have adenomyosis but not endometriosis. It's the thickening of your womb. I gave endo, adenomyosis and a load of fibroids too. I am still on HRT too and zoladex. I cannot give up estrogen or I'll be bed bound. However I'm still bleeding heavily week 2 on zoladex. They can't fit the coil in me either and abandoned the hysterectomy when they found stage 4 endometriosis. Be careful reducing your gel. I did this and didn't realise that it was altering my mood so much x

[Teaandtwosugars in reply to Sunset-lady]

Hi, thanks for your reply.

That’s good to know you have continued with the HRT, I don’t want to go back to how I was before it. Did you know about the issues before you started HRT or did you find out after?

I’ll have a look at the drug you mention…the bleeding and pain has just taken me by surprise as I’ve not had it for nearly 4 years.

My upcoming appt is with a gynae dr at a general clinic, I am going to try and get a referral to a dr who is more specialised if I need it.

[Sunset-lady]

Hi, I was already on HRT when I found out about the fibroids. I went for a hysterectomy and that's when I found out about the endometriosis and then I went private and had MRI and found out about the cysts, adenomyosis etc.