GNRH Injections and Fibroids

[Melons70]

Dear all,

I have had painful periods since the age of 12 and I am now 53 years old and they are getting worse. The pain each month is unbearable and I have to take a combination of paracetamol and ibuprofen daily to take the edge off the pain.

I had a long period of reduced pain because I went on the pill for quite a few years but stopped taking them in my late 30s. I was diagnosed with PCOS in my 20s and now have a diagnosis of fibroids at the top of the womb. This diagnosis was carried out at least 10 years ago and again more recently. They have grown to 3cm/5cm.

I met with a gynae last week who was really lovely compared to one I met last year that was dismissive and left me in tears. My new gynae said that surgery to remove the fibroids is a last resort and it would be with complications. His advice would be a complete hysterectomy as I do not intend to have children.

He has recommended the GNRH Analogue injections which will force the symptoms of the menopause early thus hopefully stopping my periods, shrinking the fibroids and reducing the pain.

Has anyone had these injections and do they work? I am terrified of the side effects, even though I will be given a low dose of HRT alongside this injection. It will be a one month trial first followed by 5 months treatment.

I also am concerned that I would be forcing what should happen naturally early when my periods could just stop soon. Can anyone advise me if they are still having their period at 53 please? I thought I would have stopped by now.

Any advice or help would be gratefully received as I am not sure whether to have the injections or not.

[bassets]

Mine stopped at 50 but everyone is different. You will have to decide if the injections are right for you. What ever yo decide is best, good luck and best wishes.

[Wxm22]

hi i am 53 and my last period was 3 months ago. I also gave fibroids and i am on the list for a camera. From scan i have two fibroids larger and lots of small ones. They suggested mirena coil at my last appointment as my periods where heavy lasting 3 weeks. Anyway they just stopped i had been told by friends the last few before they stop are heavy and painful so hopefully yours will stop soon. ☝️

[Melons70 in reply to Wxm22]

Hi

Thank you so much for your reply. I am praying that my periods will stop soon. I thought they had at the beginning of the year when I did not have a cycle for nearly three months then they started again. I would prefer for the symptoms of the menopause to gradually progress rather than having the symptoms all at once after a course of injections. I think I will let nature take its course and bear with it for a little while longer, fingers crossed.

[Wxm22]

I was scrolling last night as couldnt sleep and stomach pains must have tempted fait ive come on !!! I wonder if the fibroids cause more issues as the Consultant said to me Im not ruling out a hysterectomy we will see what camera shows😡. Gutted countdown again ! Also not in HRT as i read the estrogen can feed the fibroids?