[Messymiss]

Hi all, Just wondering if anybody has had or knows of anybody that has had their fibroids shrink after menopause. I am early fifties and have had fibroids for years and have avoided a hystorectomy hoping the shrinking theory is correct. I dont want to carry this grapefriut size tumor around forever but dont want to have the op if it is only a matter of time. You read so many different theories I would love to hear it from someone who has been there. Ta Mes.

[chataround]

Hi !! Unfortunately, I was not one of those women whose fibroids shrunk. My gynecologists (I saw several over the years) all recommended that I "wait and see"
because I was heading toward menopause. I went for vaginal ultrasounds every 6 months to keep monitoring. Unfortunately the final monitoring found that my fibroid had grown from 10cm to 19 cm, and at that point in time it was too large to be removed vaginally.
I had my abdominal hysterectomy (and one ovary removed) in November of 2006. I was 46. In retrospect I wish I had opted for the hysterectomy sooner. I probably could have had a much less invasive procedure. I guess it's easy to have hindsight, though,
and at the time I was glad that my doctors were so conservative...

[Messymiss]

Still waiting

Thanks Chataround. I too wish at times I had have opted for the hysterectomy when it was first offered and I would have my nice flat tummy and be over the heavy periods. I realy dont have pain with the fibroids so I guess that is why I have not bothered to do anything too drastic. I was also concerned about the effect a hysterectomy would have on my very unbalanced hormone system so kept putting it off. I will keep "waiting and seeing" for a little while yet. Messy

[Messymiss]

Do they shrink for most????

Thank you for the reply drIndman. I wish I lived closer to where you are. I really need to know if fibroids do actually shrink for a lot of women after menopause. I am told over and over by Doctors and gynos that mine most likely will not. My uterus is the size of a grapefruit and i have a very cystic ovary which should come out as well. I have a hystory of ovarian cancer in the family and my husband is worried. As for me it would be more a vanity cosmetic thing if i were to have the lot removed as i am very slim and would love to have my flat tummy back. I dont know how I would cope hormonally with out the uterus and ovary. I wish the universe could make this decision for me. I keep changing my mind.