Menopause Support Group
Menopause is the physiological cessation of menstrual cycles associated with advancing age. It normally occurs in women between the ages of 45 and 55, when the body begins to slow and stop the production of eggs, estrogen and progesterone production decreases, and menstruation diminishes, eventually stopping altogether.
Hello all,
I would appreciate any advice concerling your experience with thicking of the endometrial wall.
Several years earlier I was tested and told my blood (or urine) test revealed that I was in peri-menopause. However, I had never missed a period, so I was suprised to hear this.
Then, I went into sudden menopause in March of 2012. I began suffering severe hormonal imbalances (hot flashes followed by chills - continuous throughout the day and night). I was then put on Prempro to control the hot flashes.
I had been without a period for 5 months, then I started bleeding. It was a very heavy, long period. My doctor said it probably had to do with my body adjusting to the Prempro. I had another period the following month, and then no more for several months.
Then I started have undersirable side effects from the Prempro and, with the help of a Naturopath, tappered off while trying to incorporated natural alternative treatments in order to keep the hot flashes at bey, however, the Hot flashes returned quickly and severly.
My Naturopath then put me on on Progestone cream and a tincture of Black Cohosh and Sage. It took about two months, but then my hot flashes began to subside, and went away.
One month into the Progestrone cream treatment, I had another heavy, long, painful period.
My Naturopath said it too might be my body adusting to the Progestrone Cream treatment, but cautioned, it was something to keep an eye on.
Well, now that I have expereinced several episodes of this irregular, heavy, painful bleeding since my so called "sudden menopause." Along with what appears to be a returning of hot flashes, and more recently, increased pelvic pain, I wonder if I am in memopause at all.
I wonder if that test several years ago that showed a reduction in homone production was a warning of something else.
Two weeks ago I was experiencing spasms if my vagina. The pain was so severe I was not able to walk for more than a couple of minutes at a time, as every time I got on my feet I expereinced some sort of contractions involving all the tissue around my vagina. I also felt as if my uterus was full. At the end of those two weeks I starting bleeding. It was strange--different. I would have very little blood on my pad when I went to the bathroom, but when I got up from the toilet there would be a lot of blood in the toilet, with some kind of stringy and clot like tissues floating.
I went in for a pelvic exam with my PCP. She decided to have me take a ultrasound which revealed a thickinging of my uterus wall, and a posible polyp.
Now I have not been bleeding for the past week, but my uterus still feels full, and I am expereincing discomfort and a burning spasm feeling involving all the tissue surrouonding my vagina.
Sooo vary sorry for the lengthy post. I just wanted to make sure I didn't leave anything out that might help any of you key in on sharing your knowledge or expereinces with this type of thing.
BTW, I have been tested for thyriod, and the PAP and urine test my PCP took in her office was fine, except for the blood she noted.
Thank you,
rsimmons
I would appreciate any advice concerling your experience with thicking of the endometrial wall.
Several years earlier I was tested and told my blood (or urine) test revealed that I was in peri-menopause. However, I had never missed a period, so I was suprised to hear this.
Then, I went into sudden menopause in March of 2012. I began suffering severe hormonal imbalances (hot flashes followed by chills - continuous throughout the day and night). I was then put on Prempro to control the hot flashes.
I had been without a period for 5 months, then I started bleeding. It was a very heavy, long period. My doctor said it probably had to do with my body adjusting to the Prempro. I had another period the following month, and then no more for several months.
Then I started have undersirable side effects from the Prempro and, with the help of a Naturopath, tappered off while trying to incorporated natural alternative treatments in order to keep the hot flashes at bey, however, the Hot flashes returned quickly and severly.
My Naturopath then put me on on Progestone cream and a tincture of Black Cohosh and Sage. It took about two months, but then my hot flashes began to subside, and went away.
One month into the Progestrone cream treatment, I had another heavy, long, painful period.
My Naturopath said it too might be my body adusting to the Progestrone Cream treatment, but cautioned, it was something to keep an eye on.
Well, now that I have expereinced several episodes of this irregular, heavy, painful bleeding since my so called "sudden menopause." Along with what appears to be a returning of hot flashes, and more recently, increased pelvic pain, I wonder if I am in memopause at all.
I wonder if that test several years ago that showed a reduction in homone production was a warning of something else.
Two weeks ago I was experiencing spasms if my vagina. The pain was so severe I was not able to walk for more than a couple of minutes at a time, as every time I got on my feet I expereinced some sort of contractions involving all the tissue around my vagina. I also felt as if my uterus was full. At the end of those two weeks I starting bleeding. It was strange--different. I would have very little blood on my pad when I went to the bathroom, but when I got up from the toilet there would be a lot of blood in the toilet, with some kind of stringy and clot like tissues floating.
I went in for a pelvic exam with my PCP. She decided to have me take a ultrasound which revealed a thickinging of my uterus wall, and a posible polyp.
Now I have not been bleeding for the past week, but my uterus still feels full, and I am expereincing discomfort and a burning spasm feeling involving all the tissue surrouonding my vagina.
Sooo vary sorry for the lengthy post. I just wanted to make sure I didn't leave anything out that might help any of you key in on sharing your knowledge or expereinces with this type of thing.
BTW, I have been tested for thyriod, and the PAP and urine test my PCP took in her office was fine, except for the blood she noted.
Thank you,
rsimmons
I appreciate it. My PCP is refering me for biopsy now, so I am just waiting to set up the apointment.
I'm not looking forward to this. Last year my GYN tried to biopsy me for another reason but was unsucessful because my cervix would not dilate. Same thing when I gave birth to my child, I had to have a C-section after 36 hours of labor because I never dilated.
Scary stuff.
Polyps can cause heavy bleeding and pain. But they can also make the lining appear thicker than it is because it can be hard to differentiate the polyp from the lining hence the "possible polyp."
Black cohosh acts like estrogen and some of the possible side effects are cramping, spotting, bleeding. Any estrogenic product (OTC or Rx) can cause the uterine lining to proliferate and therefore needs to be balanced with a therapeutic dose of progesterone or a progestin. It's my understanding that progesterone cream isn't typically adequate to protect the lining from estrogen. It may be enough to balance out the black cohosh but there's no way to know if your lining is thick on its own or if the combination of these OTC hormonal supplements are part of the problem. At least with combined Rx HRT's (such as Prempro, Combipatch, ClimaraPro, Activella, etc.) the doses of the two hormones have been tested for uterine protection.
At what point in your cycle was the u/s done and how thick is it? It's best to do a u/s 1 or 2 days after a period ends when the lining should be thinnest. If you're going to have the biopsy, there's a medication that's sometimes helpful in dilating the cervix. Progestins are typically prescribed to thin out the lining.
Here are some links that may be helpful:
Endometrial imaging - http://radiographics.rsna.org/content/21/6/1409.full
Treatment of hyperplasia - http://www.jfponline.com/Pages.asp?AID=3184
Hope this helps and it's nothing serious!
Thank you so much. This if excellent information. I really appreciate the time and effort you have put into trying to help me here.
I will look into the links you provided, but I want you to know how much I appreciate information about FSH and being in menopause.
My ultrasound was performed about 2 or 3 days after my last bleeding stopped. So according to what you are saying, my lining should have been at it's thinnest at that time. My doctor did not give me any measured number. She just said that "there is a thickening of your uterus wall, and a possible polyp."
Perhaps all this is related to my hot flash treatments. Thank you for the well wishes and for your time.
Sincerely,
rsimmons
Hello all,
I had my consultation with my GYN today about my ultrasound results. She does want to do a surgical biopsy/polyp removal/uterine examination procedure.
Turns out I am menopausal. My right ovary seems to be gone. My doctor said this is probably because it has shrunken down to the size of a raisin, with is consistent with menopause. And, although my left ovary is till there with blood flowing to it, it is a bit smaller than normal.
She also said the thickness of muscle tissue of my uterus is were the thickening is, not necessarily the the endometrial wall. And the the thickness varies. She mentioned some fluid between the endometrial wall and the polyps that are present, and that most of the polyps and tissue thickening are towards the bottom of my uterus near the cervix, but that the cervix itself looks fine. So, with all of this her concern is possible pre-cancerous tissue.
So I wanted to update you all, and thank as well, for the information, comfort and support you all so generously gave me.
May you all have peace this night and a great weekend.
Sincerely,
rsimmons
The second link I provided appears to have been removed. Although the article is listed in the web search results, clicking on it brings up the Journal of Family Physicians' home page instead of the specific article.