Post Menopause Fibroids and Polyp

AuntGrace

I went through menopause 4 years ago at age 57.  Since then I have had normal pap smears, normal pelvic exams and have never shed a drop of blood.

This year at my regular check my doctor said I had a uterine mass and sent me for an abdominal and transvaginal ultrasound.  We got the results....fluid and polyp in uterine cavity, 2 intramural fibroids, one being exophotic and one submucousal fibroid (they are smallish) so not causing problems.   I was referred to a gyn who I saw yesterday.   I will be going in for a Hysteroscopy to remove the polyp and a D & C to check the endometrial lining.  I also have stress incontinence and she said she could help that by putting in a sling when she does the hysteroscopy.

Before menopause I never had a polyp or fibroid.  I had several transvaginal ultrasounds for ovarian cysts in the year before my period stopped so I would think if the fibroids and polyp were already there they would have seen them.  They watched any little spot they saw until they were satisfied there was nothing going on.

Of course I started reading everything I could on polyps and fibroids, and I know it is very rare for them to be malignant, and rare for them to appear after menopause.  I am perfectly satisfied with the procedures my gyn is doing.    Neither of us expects the biopsies to show anything abnormal to necessitate a hysterectomy, so the doctor and I agreed to take a wait & watch approach to the fibroids.  Hopefully, they won't get big enough to cause any problems.  The question I can't seem to get an answer to is why did they grow in the first place? I have not taken any kind of hormones. My Mom had breast cancer so I was reluctant to take anything. I would like to hear from anyone who knows anything about fibroids that show up after menopause.  Thanks!

ssfbeagle

Your story sounds like mine. 

Your story sounds like mine.  I was deemed post menopausal at 55, last year.  I had some spotting and ran right to the GYN.  I was worried because I lost my mom to uterine cancer three years ago yesterday.  At that appointment, it was found that I had several polyps and two fibroids.  I never knew about the fibroids despite having had transvaginal ultrsounds in the past.  In October I had a hysteroscopy with biopsies which were negative.  Then in January I began spotting again.  Another transvaginal ultrasound was done.  He seems to think the spotting is a result of the fibroid disintegrating.  It is now May and no further bleeding.  I go back next month for another checkup.