Worried about a thickened cervix
Posted , 4 users are following.
I haven't had a period for five months again and before they started going irregular I noticed I was in a lot of pain with small clots it's happened twice missed for months at a time doctor did a lot of blood tests to check for menopause but there showing absolutely fine.i was sent for s pelvic scan and internal scan last Friday I received my results of the Doctor this morning he said my cervix was showing very thick lining and is sending me to see s gynocologist I'm really worried as there's no reason for them to just stop and worried sick
1 like, 15 replies
carolrd joanne53823
Posted
joanne53823 carolrd
Posted
I'm not sure think uterus
becky221 joanne53823
Posted
Thick lining would be your uterus not cervix. It probably means you are not producing enough progesterone which is the hormone that causes you to she'd the uterine lining (which is a period). So they will probably give you the hormones and you will have a period and be fine. I'm no doctor but have researched a lot. I don't think you need to worry about this. When you're in perimenopause, it's very common for you to skip periods and the pain and clots are normal too. You can be in perimenopause for several years.
joanne53823 becky221
Posted
Thank you you for the reassurance I was just confused at what is going on as I've had a lot of blood tests and all show normal
gailannie joanne53823
Posted
Joanne,
The lining of the uterus is stimilated by estrogen. You are having irregular periods with some clotting, which is very common in the years before your periods finally stop. Progesterone is the counter balance hormone that allows the living of the uterus to shed. It is very common that woman nearing menopause will not ovulate, and therefore, not produce adequate progesterone. What you are experiencing is somewhat common. What you are describing with your cycles is an imbalance between estrogen and progesterone. In these years, the estrogen is usually not well counterbalanced. This is why woman can still have "periods", yet they would have a very difficult time actually getting pregnant, and also have such irregular cycles.
I wouldn't worry too much about it. But I know it's hard to not allow the worries to get in the way.
joanne53823 gailannie
Posted
Thank you for your reply was reading that during menopause the lining thins the doctors have said all my hormone tests have been totally normal and that's why they sent me for pelvic scan and showed very thick uterus lining it's been five months again without a period and when the doctor said would send me to see a gynocologist I started reading up on it and worried myself sick thinking it might be cancer
becky221 joanne53823
Posted
Gailannie explained it very well. I agree with her. Don't worry but do go to the doctor to get your hormones straightened out. I think it's a hormone issue which is very common. Happened to me many times before menopause.
gailannie joanne53823
Posted
Oh I'm so sorry the reading made you worry so much. Just keep reminding yourself that the smaller amount of estrogen you are producing day in and day out, isn't being balanced with that surge of progesterone we used to get every month. So our periods are more irregular. For the final couple years, mine came once every six months. Then they finally stopped.
Just go get the biopsy (trust me they aren't bad) and set your mind at ease.
joanne53823 becky221
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joanne53823 gailannie
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Ok thank you I know what your saying is right I will get the biopsy done for peace of mind I'm sure everything will be just fine feel so much better now you have reassured me and told me what's happening thank you all for the replies
gailannie joanne53823
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You're very welcome. None of this meno crap is easy.......is it?
joanne53823 gailannie
Posted
It certainly isn't easy dosent help that the doctor has confused me saying hormone levels completely fine all bloods normal and he didn't think was menopause wich totally confused me
gailannie joanne53823
Posted
Ok Joannne, but let me point something out. As we age, we know that our sex steriods do change, and over time they diminish until eventually we don't have them any more. Or at least such low levels that they don't do much. Right?
Doing blood work is just one tiny snap shot, in that moment of time. Repeated blood levels throughout the month are never done. So sometimes the random blood draw can show everything looking normal, i.e. FSH and estradiol are within normal limits. And ususally these are the only tests they run. But does this mean that our hormone production is strong and steady, as it was in our 30s? Heavens no. Just ask woman at this point in life. They can FEEL the difference. So there is a limit on what blood work can tell us.
Also remember that by definition, menopause means that you haven't had a period for one full year. How's that for a diagnosis? You have to be period free for a full year, before your doctor will say you are in menopause. (That is really a "DUH" moment, isn't it.) But these changes generally happen slowly and over the course of a full decade. So no, your FSH was probably within normal range, your estradiol was probably on the low side of normal, and your progesterone level was never checked. And your wise doctor is saying, "yep, she had a period 5 months ago, so no she not in menopause." ( Super helpful isn't it? LOL)
But are things changing for you? Absolutely they are. Confirmation of that is apparent by 5 month intervals between periods.
And there's one additional (quite complicated) issue I will raise. Our hormones all work in connection with one another. Estradiol helps insulin, progesterone helps with adrenal gland production, etc. So some of the things we experience are not 100% just related loss of our sex steriods, but are also related to the interplay between all homones systems. Sorry I know this complicates the issue. But this all a part of aging, and our hormone systems collectively and radically change.
joanne53823 gailannie
Posted
It all makes perfect sence what you have told me I know my body is changing mood swings crying for no apparent reason getting angry I don't sleep anymore there's all sorts going on and I do think it's the menopause that's causing these symptoms thank you for pointing all this out I feel loads better now I've got a better picture of it all now thank you
becky221 joanne53823
Posted
And you are not in menopause. As was said, you are not considered in menopause until you have gone 1 full year without a period. You are probably in perimenopause. Thats the time leading up to menopause and it can go on for years. So your blood levels didn't show menopause because you are not in menopause. You're in perimenopause.