Does peri/menopause make fibroids better?
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Hi. Does anyone here have fibroids? And if yes, how does peri/menopause affect it? I have fibroids and I am perimenopausal. The fibroids causes heavy period so I also have low iron, which I have to keep taking iron tablets to keep in hand.
Any experiences and suggestions appreciated.
Thanks,
Denise.
0 likes, 12 replies
lynne55968 godblessed
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Just found out that I have one and my doctor told me with decreased estrogen it should shrink.
laurie93043 godblessed
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jennifer01077 godblessed
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I have fibroids, and like you I have heavy periods (although the last one, for the first time in my life, was fairly light - in my terms!!). I am 51. A few years ago the periods became really really heavy. I think it was a combination of estrogen dominance and the fibroids. I was on the Pill anyway, which kept the periods regular at least, and I started to use progesterone cream, which helped with my mood, but not with the heavy bleeding. But the bleeding was too much to manage, so I took tranexamic acid for a few years. It reduced the blood flow, and I stopped being anemic. It really affected my mood, unfortunately. But I have a very strong type of depression anyway. The doctor was pretty surprised it affected my mood, so I think it is not common.
In the UK, you can use the Miranda coil I think it's called. It's not available where I am. I think that's the first thing the doctors think of. Here is a website that lists your options.
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Periods-heavy/Pages/Treatment.aspx
I found it a difficult experience, heavy periods, and also the anemia. It really exacerbated my depression, especially before my periods. I also started to dread them. I think they are getting lighter now, although it's a month by month thing. I am taking a lot of iron supplements and that really helps the depression. I do still plan my social life around them, always take that weekend off from any socializing.
Take care Denise.
godblessed jennifer01077
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TeresaJS godblessed
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If you go through the forum here you'll find lots of discussions on this topic.
Fibroids are usually caused by a high ratio of oestrogen to progesterone. It's expected that in the postmenopausal phase they'll decreases or disappear altogether...not before that.
Because this is not beneficial to have large fibroids or heavy bleeding it's advised either to take herbal supplements like Vitex to regulate hormonal output or take natural/bioidentical Progesterone to neutralise oestrogen excess. The brand name for prescription Progesterone in the UK and EU is Utrogestan and in the US it's Prometrium. Do not confuse natural progesterone with artificial progestins like medroxyprogesterone acetate(Provera) and similar ones because these are carcinogenic whilst natural progesterone is cancer protective.
For heavy bleeding, regardless of fibroids, it's important to continue taking iron and bioflavonoids are also helpful as they eradicate inflammatory processes in the uterus. This is better and non harmful in contrast with NSAIDS (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) like ibuprofen that hurt your stomach.
I hope this is useful to you. Here at Patient and at CEMCOR website you'll find more info. on this.
Take care. Teresa.
godblessed TeresaJS
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TeresaJS godblessed
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laurie93043 godblessed
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Many years ago my gyn. helped me find a progestin that I could tolerate (mood-wise and also pain tolerance improved.) Aygestin (U.S. trade name, generic is norethindrone here.) I just read up on possible side effects, but I didn't have any. Long story, just to say it may be possible to find something that works well for you. I was not aware of carcinogenic effect and took it for about 30 years. My current gyn. prefers prescribing Prometrium (so-called bio-identical) but I developed strong side effects to that one, not to mention wt. gain, dizziness, etc. even tho they say it's bio-identical. New MD sugg. to keep taking it and see if side effects might wear off. Some did, but ended up discontinuing it.
TeresaJS laurie93043
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laurie93043 TeresaJS
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TeresaJS laurie93043
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maybe some creams are just better than others. I believe the reason why the pharmaceuticals didn't start producing more progesterone creams as HRT is because they didn't find a stable enough formula that guarantees intake. There's Crinone but it's mainly used for pregnancy. Dr. Lee's or Dr. Jonathan Wright's progesterone creams should be the best because of the long experience they have with them. In the EU we don't have so many options unless, of course, we order them online. In any case, just like the oestrogen/estradiol gel we always should be rotating the application spots so that the receptors don't get "numb". For progesterone creams there are more spot options than for estradiol gel: arms, neck, inner thighs, breasts, etc. So, bottom line, this rotation may also allow better intake of the progesterone. Take care.
keepsmiling15 godblessed
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