Hello again! I hope it's alright if I ask this question here ... have any of you ever been diagnosed with hyperplasia [a thick uterine lining or endometrial stripe], while undergoing tests to determine the cause of changes in your cycles such as heavy bleeding, spotting, etc.?

I am trying to better understand just how common is this during this particular phase and how serious of a threat does it pose to pre-cancer or cancer. I would think that with cycles jumping all over the map, a thick uterine lining would be very common, but how often does it become hyperplasia and what causes this?

I know you sweet ladies are not doctors ... just hoping to find others who can share their experiences.

Thanks!

Hi DianeR,

Yes, I was diagnosed with endometrial hyperplasia several years ago. My pap smear came back at a class IV (V is cancer), the doc repeated it and it was still a IV, so she ordered a biopsy. Turns out I did have significant hyperplasia, but I don't understand the connection between it, the abnormal pap and hormones. I
suppose it may related to an estrogen overload. They put me on synthetic progesterone (provera) and I TOOK IT. Knowing what I know now, I would never take this medication. But, I was more trusting of the medical profession then (I think because I was much younger).

Give me a little more history, if you don't mind.

Suzy

Hi Suzy! Thank you so much for responding.

My "history" message is posted here just a few messages down. And I, too, took Provera last year, but only 10MG for five days, which did jumpstart things up again. But now you have me wondering ... I didn't feel all that comfortable about taking the Provera. What are your thoughts on taking it? Is it dangerous and if so, in what way?

If I am lucky enough to escape with no or "simple" hyperplasia, they may want me to take this again. So please share.

Take care!

Hi Diana,

Provera is a synthethic progesterone, but many doctors prescribing it never indicate to their patients that it is not natural and thus will not produce the same
healthy effects that natural progesterone often does. Provera is a medication manufactured by a drug company for profit. And profit is what drives so much of the healthcare in our country.

Provera doesn't provide many of the healthy benefits that natural progesterone does. It poses some serious, potential side effects, like blood clots, kidney and heart problems. It doesn't work to restore a good hormonal balance with estrogen.

You need to research this drug carefully and discuss your concerns with your dr.
It sounds like your gut feelings are trying to steer you away from it.

Was your latest pap smear normal? How did your doctor know you had hyperplasia? Ultrasound? Symptoms of heavy, prolonged bleeding?

Talk to you later.

Suzy

Hey Suzy! I here what you're saying. I did do some homework about Provera before taking it, and actually did contact my dr. to ask about potential side effects, in part, because I also have some underlying neurological symptoms and did not want to risk aggravating them. She felt that the dosage was small enough to not cause any problems, but when I questioned her about maybe taking a natural form of progesterone instead, she said there really is no such thing ... they don't go around getting it from other women. In other words, even so called natural isn't natural, in her mind at least.

I felt somewhat in a quandry and ultimately, after 84 days of absolutely no period in sight, finally took the five pills.

Re: the hyperplasia, it was actually the sonogram technician who told me she suspected this, after seeing my uterine lining. The doctor will do his own exam in two weeks via a saline sonogram and most likely, order a biopsy. Joy -- not!

Thanks for sharing!

Good evening DianaR and all. I've just been diagnosed with hyperplasia but am feeling very new to this entire process. I had an incomplete endometrial biopsy (cervix uncooperative), and so it was diagnosed via ultrasound. Now I get to have another attempt at the biopsy nex week.

Do you feel like everthing is so new and you don't know where to begin? You should try to do some research via the internet. At least then you will know what questions to ask your physician.

Please post and let us know how this turns out. I, for one, am interested

I am reading all I can about hyperplasia and provera also. I had an ultrasound and biopsy done - she put me on 10 mg of Provera for 90 days - I cannot find out what is going to happen.....how this drug works? Am I going to have heavy periods to clear up this problem or what? Lots of info about this drug - but does not specify how it clears up the hyperplasia - many are talking about being on it only 5-10 days - heck I'm supposed to take it for 90 DAYS? I'm worried to say the least. I've been taking 2 a day - one morning, one night for almost a week now - feeling fine... Any one else taking this drug for hyperplasia - and did it work? Thanks - Jody

Hey Jody! Hyperplasia is a condition that occurs when your estrogen creates an overgrowth of cells in the uterine lining and thus, a thickened endometrial lining. There are four, distinct grades or stages of hyperplasia. Please check with your dr. to find out specifically which one you have because this can make a big difference in the follow-up treatment.

I believe the Provera [which is a synthetic progesterone] helps to regulate your estrogen overload and rebalance your hormones. It is suppose to help reduce the uterine lining which is important, because a thickened lining "can" become cancerous, if left to its own devices.

I am currently waiting for my own uterine lining biopsy results. My dr. really liked the look of my uterine cavity , but he can't read the condition of microscopic cells, so my results could be anywhere on the chart.

Take care!

Thanks for your response - I've been checking this board daily looking for experienced ladies!

Hey everyone,

Let me jump in please ! Yes, it is important to get rid of the endometrial lining, which is abnormally thick and oftentimes has precancerous cells in it.

But wouldn't a surgical solution work here? Go in and scrape out the lining. I had
that done (and was also given Provera for 6 months) to correct the situation.

I don't know if a synthetic hormone (Provera) can remove the lining all by itself.
I've had several friends recently that had uterine ablations (removal of lining) and this procedure was successful for them.

I did take the provera, mainly because I was very young and always followed doctor's orders. Now, in my forties, I'm pretty skeptical about the medical profession and research the heck out of medications before I take them ...

Just my thoughts here. Be careful.

Thanks for your advise Suzy - I've read, read, read. I hate taking any meds., I'm pretty darn healthy and active - doctor said she was very surprised by my dx., mostly seen in overweight, inactive, diabetic patients! WHY ME? I figured the irregular periods were just age related (I'm 49). My Mom had a hysterectomy at 50 due to constant bleeding - and 40 years ago, that was the answer! I'm trying to avoid THAT!

I have read practically every sight about provera - but not one of them states what it does for the abnormal growth of tissue in there! HOW does it thin or get rid of it - some say no periods, others say abnormal bleeding - the only side effect that I seem to be having, and it's only been 2 1/2 weeks, is breast tenderness.

I did talk to my pharmacist, she could tell I was upset about taking this - she recommended a book by Suzanne Somers, called the Sexy Years...I did order it and I hope to start reading it soon.

It just seems that everything you read about any kind of drug - it's NEGATIVE!

They just kind of passed me by when I called my doctor's office about the type of hyperplasia that I had been dx with - perhaps a visit face to face would be better. I've had a couple of weeks - so perhaps next week I'll do it! Thanks for all your words of wisdom - this is a very caring message board! Jody <10 mg of provera 2 dx for 90 days> UGH!

Hi, I too have been diagnosed with simple hyperplasia without atypia (this is the "mildest" form of hyperplasia since there are no abnormalities in the cell nuclei, which would be considered pre-cancerous). Anyway, my doctor wanted to do a hysteroscopy and D&C. (A hysteroscopy is just a device that is inserted before the D&C to view the uterus lining). Since the only known cause of hyperplasia is unopposed estrogen, I asked my doctor if I could try some progesterone. She wanted to go with the Provera--synthetic progestin. I asked if I could try the natural progesterone cream. She agreed.
She wrote a prescription for micronized progesterone (natural progesterone). Fortunately, there is a compounding pharmacist nearby who prepares the progesterone.) After 10 days of use I had a MAJOR period for 7 days and then stopped bleeding. I have gone 2 days without bleeding after 4 months of persistent bleeding.
So, I hope this works. After 3 months, I return for another biopsy.
My question: has anyone out there had good results using natural progesterone to reverse hyperplasia? I would have no objection to a D&C, but it really doesn't solve the problem of unopposed estrogen, which could lead to a build-up of the endometrium even after the D&C. I have read that the nat. progest. can reverse hyperplasia, so I am hopeful.
Thanks for any help and good luck to all of you!
sgorman

Welcome Sgorman !

I read your post with interest. I'm glad you mentioned to your doctor about taking natural progesterone instead of synthetic. WHY are they all so anxious to write a prescription for everything? And provera doesn't have a great safety record.

I hope the nat. progesterone helps. Since you had the D&C, and your lining is now healthy and back to a normal level, I'm wondering if the progest. will help to keep everything in perfect balance. Maybe it can.

Keep us posted with your situation.

suzy

Suzy, I appreciate the words of encouragement. And I will keep the site posted on how the nat. progesterone works. Also, I did NOT have the D&C. I opted to try the progesterone first. I have come across several studies that show good results with the nat. progesterone after 3-6 months.
For all that are interested, I did a Google search "endometrial hyperplasia + natural progesterone"
Also, searched PubMed using the same words.
thanks again for the response and I'll report back in a month or so with hopefully good results.
sgorman

Jody, the Provera or natural form of progesterone helps to thin the lining by causing you to shed the lining -- thus, bleeding. The pathology report should list the "kind" of hyperplasia; not just hyperplasia. And if it does NOT cause you to bleed, then another approach will be necessary because those excess cells need to be removed one way or the other.

After all that I've read and learned, my personal opinion would be to have a D&C, if I were ever diagnosed with any kind of hyperplasia, even the simple kind. I would actually trust this more than the progesterone, but every woman has to make this decision for themselves.

I was lucky -- my biopsy showed everything benign; no hyperplasia!

Good luck to you! Diana

P.S. After the D&C, I'd likely use the natural progesterone, to hopefully keep things balanced and avoid another thickened lining.

Diana - I have been on the provera for 3 weeks now, 10 mg twice a day, my period was due a few days ago, and so far NOTHING!

I guess I need to go into doctor's office and demand some answers! This was just all too covered up for me! No one seemed to know squat when I called. Do I have periods? Do I not? Am I to be concerned? What kind of hyperplasia - cancer cells involved? Couldn't even find it on my chart that it was hyperplasia!

I work from 11-4, so it's hard for me to get up to that office which is a ways away - but I will get some answers soon if I do not start a period.

This natural progesterone - how is it prescribed? My pharmacist friend told me that she is taking something - but it was called..........bioidentical hormones? Maybe I could talk to her..........I hate this, absolutely hate this!

Thanks for the information on hyperplasia+natural prog., I have been reading my eyes out - WHAT TO DO? <_< Thanks everyone - Jody

My understanding is that it's the drop in progesterone at the end of a cycle that triggers bleeding. So it would seem that it's not taking progesterone that would cause you to bleed, but taking it for a while and then stopping it would trigger shedding of the uterine lining. Take this with a grain of salt because what I do not know is if taking progesterone for a long period of time (without stopping) some how prevents further build up of the uterine lining.

In fact, now that I think about it, I don't think you could have a period if you are taking progesterone continuously. With birth control pills if you don't want to have your period you skip the placebo week and go straight to the new pack. No drop in progesterone, no period.

Well..........still taking the povera twice a day and I am having a period after all! Reading, reading, reading, this book recommended called What Your doctor doesn't tell you about premenopause, by a Doctor Lee and Hanley....not sure if I found that on here or another site - good book - learning lots. Also Suzanne Somers book, The Sexy Years...........

Confused - thanks - Jody