Avoiding a D&C

Body: 

Hi Girls

Now, well into peri-menopause, I am finding myself bleeding almost continually. In the past month, I had about 'a week off' between periods.

If I go to the doctor about it, I'm sure he'll suggest something like a D&C, but I'd like some input from you experienced ladies here.

Do I just 'live with it' and figure that I'm nearing the end of perimenopause, or do I go see the doctor??

Thanks,
w2k

My friend, who is now in her 70s, had a similar experience during peri-menopause and had a D&C. She said that it didn't seem to accomplish anything.

I'm sure I read, somewhere here on this forum, that a D&C is actually damaging to the uterus.

Please correct me if I'm wrong

:-)
w2k

I think you said that you also have a fibroid. My mom had almost continual heavy bleeding and a fibroid the size of a grapefruit at around the age of 50. She opted for the hysterectomy, because she got tired of the bleeding. The doctor had told her the her uterus was trying to get rid of the fibroid, so that is why she bled so heavily.
I am in perimenopause now, I think nearing the end, because I now only have 3 day periods with only one day of really heavy bleeding, so I think the fibroid would be more the culprit than perimenopause.
I think I have read that if you can just get through the heavy bleeding with your uterus in tact, I know easy to say, you will be just fine. Those more experienced in this area would have the best advice for you, but I think they say they just go through it until it is done. Don't know about the benefits of D and C for this.
I have always had extremely heavy bleeding with nasty clots and lots of changing of pads, but it has only lasted seven days at most any given time. I really do wish the best for you.

Dear want to know,
I had an ultrasound for a bulky uterus & frequent periods. That indicated a small fibroid which I am happy to live with. Click on my name & track my post under the title "menopause / fibroid activity /spotting". I hope that helps.
Nora Coffey of the Hers Foundation has much information on different procedures including cauterization of the uterine lining ( ablation), that some acquaintances were talking about having done as a few of them were having heavy periods - & I wanted to research it & found the info about D&Cs.
I had one before all this info was available to me & that would be it for me. I don't think it changed the pattern of menstruation for me - some may have a different experience.

Christine wrote on her website somewhere that she had 3 prolonged month long periods before menopause, each time her uterus shrinking further. She believed that it was her uterus purging as it went into menopause.
They made a bulky uterus sound abnormal - I guess it is good to find out why, but I think it is common. I'm glad I know about the fibroid, though.My choice would be just go for ultrasounds in future, if I feel a need.
Anyone with a different experience please post.
(((hugs))) & Best Wishes
Aussie Soul Sister

I had fibroids and a couple polyps and thickened uterus, OB scared me into having hystero, that a thickened uterus could be beginning of cancer. I wish I had not panicked. My fibroids did make me bleed alot about a year before menopause. I was always afraid of surgery so put it off for many years until this OB talked me into it. Get second third opinions from many sources.

Thank you for your input, girls

I do have a large fibroid (size of a grapefruit) and one smaller one. I also have a 'bulky uterus.' I wondered if this heavy bleeding had anything to do with it. I think you have confirmed it for me.

I have always had large clots in the first 2 to 3 days of my period. As my periods now seem to be overlapping, the clots seem to keep coming.

Hubby says that my colour is good, and we have really been adding a lot of iron into our daily eating. Probably the best thing to do is to 'tough it out', but to ask my doctor to keep doing blood-tests to ensure that my iron levels stay up and that nothing else seems to be going wrong.

We live in a rather 'remote area', so the idea of getting second and third opinions is not easy. I am to have another ultrasound on August 20th, and then see my gynecologist around September 20th. I'd like to keep my doctor informed, but not do anything drastic. It seems like my situation is quite normal for peri-menopausal women.

Thanks a bunch for responding to my call for help!!

:-)
w2k

I would consider a D&C at this point to be an invasive procedure that is the first stop on the way to recommending a hysterectomy. Christine has written much about her uterus going through its purge. Nora Coffey in her book writes that fibroids go through one last growth spurt right before menopause, then they start to shrink and calcify. Have patience and give this a bit more time. - Surviving

This gives me courage to continue on -- without panicking -- and hopefully save my uterus.

With the ww posture & breathing, hopefully my organs will stay in place as I go through these changes.

:-)
w2k