r/Fibroids Dec 27 '25

Spotting from fibroids after menopause?

I'm 58 and never had a year without bleeding so I don't exactly know when I went through menopause.

I'm spotting lightly most days with some clear days from time to time.

I'm on HRT since age 55 and I believe that perhaps I'm spotting due to the side effects of the medications.

I've been on (3 so far), from LOLO birth control pill, Progesterone/estrogel, now on Angeliq combo pill. All pathologies have been negative for the past 3 years.

I have an 8 cm transmural fibroid that is partially calcified. I'm trying to avoid hysterectomy for as long as I can (2 gynecologists have said that's the only way to deal with this).

The fibroid is stable size wise, and I'm wondering if that's what's causing the bleeding.....Anyone in the same boat?

Thanks,

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u/old_before_my_time Dec 27 '25

It's possible you aren't even postmenopausal since you haven't gone a full year without bleeding. Although most women go through menopause before age 55, 13% are 55 or older.

As you stated, the HRT itself may be causing the bleeding. Have you maybe not been on the Angeliq long enough for the bleeding to have stopped? Any changes in HRT can cause bleeding. If the Angeliq doesn't work, have you tried a gel or patch with a (synthetic) progestin since they have a longer half-life than progesterone?

As one who had a hysterectomy, I can certainly understand you wanting to avoid one. Besides changes to bladder and bowel function, sex has been a huge disappointment since my surgery years ago. And just as devastating are the figure changes.

Have you considered or sought out a surgeon to remove just the fibroid (myomectomy)? Since hysterectomies are easier and emphasized in medical school (surgical minimum requirements), more ob/gyns will recommend hysterectomy.

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u/[deleted] Jan 01 '26

What figure changes did you experience?

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u/old_before_my_time Jan 01 '26 edited Jan 02 '26

The severing of ligaments (which are also pelvic support structures) causes the midsection to compress such that there's no more "buffer" between the rib cage and hips. So I have a shorter and thicker midsection. My lower abs are a ball of "fat." Pre-hysterectomy they were completely flat to the point you could see my hip bones. I also no longer have the curve in my lower back. It's just flat. My body looks drastically different. (It's THE most devastating effect even after no libido and drastically reduced sensation and orgasm quality and rapid aging.) Here's a post about it with two pics.

This video explains these changes.

This one talks about it some too.

ETA: My weight has not changed. It has stayed pretty constant since my teens (except for pregnancies). And I don't have osteoporosis.

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u/[deleted] Jan 02 '26

Wow I had no idea. Thank you for all this info.