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Suggest Treatment For Adenomyosis With Very Heavy Menstrual Cycle
Hi there,
I'm a 44 year old woman with no children. I have been diagnosed with adenomyosis and was fitted with a Mirena IUD device about 3 years ago upon my gynaecologist's recommendation as a way of managing the heavy periods and pain associated with the adenomyosis. All was well and my periods became almost non-existent, showing up mostly as brownish or pinkish spots. From July 2010, there was some post-coital bleeding / spotting which I was a bit worried about. In Jan 2011 during routine PAP smear and ultrasound, the scan showed that the Mirena had moved from original position but it was 'still ok - we don't need to do anything". Subsequently my periods became heavier and more liquid (like pre-Mirena days, but without clumps). There was still some post-coital light bleeding and spotting. However my last period (June 6-12) was very heavy and with some cramps and I figured the Mirena had dislodged as it was not effective in thinning uterine lining anymore. From 13 - 25 June there was intermittent spotting, and on 25 June after intercouse, more bleeding than normal. It became very heavy overnight on 26 June into 27 June morning, when I discovered that the Mirena IUD had been spontaneously expelled! I went to the gynaecoloist same day, very worried about possibility of cancer and had a pipelle procedure done for endometrial biopsy, and currently awaiting the results. There is no history of cancer in my immediate family (parents and siblings). I was advised that there are some risk factors (that I started menstruating at 10, was overweight or have not had children and thus have had high exposure to estrogen over long period) and scan shows thickened endometrial wall which pathology could indicate abnormal cell growth. Pending results of biopsy, please advise if a) there any alternative ways to treat adenomyosis using progesterone or other hormones, instead of hysterectomy or Mirena or painkillers or waiting for menopause?
b) if progesterone is recommended - should it be oral / topical? Natural / synthetic? Too many people out to make a quick buck peddling hormonal remedies and I'm seeking to make an informed choice!
c) based on my medical history does it seem likely that i may have cancer of the uterus or ovary or something?
Thanks in advance!
Hannah
I'm a 44 year old woman with no children. I have been diagnosed with adenomyosis and was fitted with a Mirena IUD device about 3 years ago upon my gynaecologist's recommendation as a way of managing the heavy periods and pain associated with the adenomyosis. All was well and my periods became almost non-existent, showing up mostly as brownish or pinkish spots. From July 2010, there was some post-coital bleeding / spotting which I was a bit worried about. In Jan 2011 during routine PAP smear and ultrasound, the scan showed that the Mirena had moved from original position but it was 'still ok - we don't need to do anything". Subsequently my periods became heavier and more liquid (like pre-Mirena days, but without clumps). There was still some post-coital light bleeding and spotting. However my last period (June 6-12) was very heavy and with some cramps and I figured the Mirena had dislodged as it was not effective in thinning uterine lining anymore. From 13 - 25 June there was intermittent spotting, and on 25 June after intercouse, more bleeding than normal. It became very heavy overnight on 26 June into 27 June morning, when I discovered that the Mirena IUD had been spontaneously expelled! I went to the gynaecoloist same day, very worried about possibility of cancer and had a pipelle procedure done for endometrial biopsy, and currently awaiting the results. There is no history of cancer in my immediate family (parents and siblings). I was advised that there are some risk factors (that I started menstruating at 10, was overweight or have not had children and thus have had high exposure to estrogen over long period) and scan shows thickened endometrial wall which pathology could indicate abnormal cell growth. Pending results of biopsy, please advise if a) there any alternative ways to treat adenomyosis using progesterone or other hormones, instead of hysterectomy or Mirena or painkillers or waiting for menopause?
b) if progesterone is recommended - should it be oral / topical? Natural / synthetic? Too many people out to make a quick buck peddling hormonal remedies and I'm seeking to make an informed choice!
c) based on my medical history does it seem likely that i may have cancer of the uterus or ovary or something?
Thanks in advance!
Hannah
