Hormonal imbalance years after menopause??

I am also in my 70’s and still get hot flashes, my doctor said that it’s perfectly normal and he has patients in their 80’s that also get it. I don’t have the nerve to use HRT because of the risk associated with it even if it’s small, there was a discussion about vaginal atrophy a while back and I too heard about coconut oil, although I haven’t tried it you shouldn’t apply it internally, just for external use. As older ladies we know that spotting is possibly a concern but you seem confident that you know what caused it. I am totally in agreement that we must take more responsibility for our own health, I’ve been doing this for years and the doctors don’t appreciate it but it doesn’t stop me from asking many questions or researching things for another opinion. Last but not least, fibroids are harmless so I’ve been assured many times but they can grow large and cause discomfort, other than that they pretty much just stay with us for life, hope that helps you out a little.

@barb72
I am in my 50s and just went through menopause. I have fibroids and have had cysts on my ovaries.

Have you recently had a virus/infection or Covid shot? Covid caused me to get my period again and it messes with your hormones. Many doctors still have no clue what Covid and the shots do to people so they aren’t much help.

If I was in your situation at your age, I would definitely want an endocrinologist to test for hormones and thyroid plus any other panels that might get to the bottom of your symptoms. An immunologist may be able to help with testing for active viruses.

Beyond exam and transvaginal and abdominal ultrasounds, I would want a MRI of my abdomen to see if there is more to the story. I would want biopsies of my fibroids and uterine/vaginal lining to make sure there are no abnormal cells. Have you had a Pap test due to your abnormal symptoms?

I would not let a doctor just throw medication or bandaids in the problem without investigating further. Keep pushing and advocating for your health and don’t allow doctors to dismiss or minimize your concerns.

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hot-flashes/symptoms-causes/syc-20352790

2. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21837-postmenopause

Thank you for your response
I did have an MRI done and that's where they discovered the cyst but everything else looks fine. Both transvaginal and abdominal ultrasounds are not able to see much beyond the fibroids.
No I have not had a COVID shot in a while so I don't think that's it.
I did have a pap smear done and that came back normal
At this point I don't really want to go through getting biopsies unless it's necessary
I'm not even sure that they would do it
One doctor wanted to do a hysteroscopy but I read a lot about it and knew it was going to be risky for my situation so opted for the MRI and everything appears fine
True it's possible I could have cancer cells in the fibroids
I could get the cancer screening but I also read that you can get a lot of false positives and false negatives so it seems useless.
I do plan to follow up with an endocrinologist at this point but getting appointments with doctors particularly specialist these days is impossible. Particularly if you're a new patient. I had an appointment for my current doctor a year out they put me on the wait list and I was able to get an appointment within a month but this is what you face. There's a shortage of doctors and even more of a shortage of good doctors.
If all continues and the endocrinologist comes up with nothing then I might go the route you suggest.
Thank you again for sharing your experience.

Thank you for sharing. Yes it does help. The concerning thing for me with the hot flashes is I'm not had them for years and suddenly they've appeared along with these other symptoms so I feel like there's something going on ,
You know how you know your body. Something is not right
But I'm not going to give up
My cardiologist is amazing and she is going to do another stress test I think she's not really sure why I'm getting the PVCs again I believe is something going on with my hormones and it's all hormone related but just why I don't know
I miss the doctor I had for 20 some odd years My GYN she retired a few years ago and so it's been difficult finding someone who I feel listens and tries to figure out what's going on. This doctor I have now has great ratings but I just met her for the first time and she didn't seem interested in seeking beyond the fact that I'm post menopause and have hot flashes. Oh she mentioned was getting my thyroid checked but I've already had that done and it's fine. However I think it was a general thyroid test and I think that there are further ones so going to see if an endocrinologist has more to offer. Just getting appointment now is going to be a challenge.

I don’t have the hot flashes, but my mom did many years after menopause. She suffered greatly and still does from bladder, vaginal, etc. issues. Unbelievable how bad it was. I did a lot of research and started local vaginal Estradiol cream. It does not go into your system like HRT does. It’s not considered HRT according to what I have read and heard, especially female urologists and gynecologists. I thought I was okay, but just felt healthier after I started it. It supposedly helps protect the integrity of that area. I don’t know how or if it impacts fibroids.

Thyroid and adrenal imbalances can also cause odd symptoms. And, have you checked your blood sugar levels when you have the hot flashes or sweating? You can check it with a home meter. I have type 1 diabetes and if my blood sugar gets too low, I will get anxious, sweat profusely and get very warm. It’s common with hypoglycemia. Some people who don’t take insulin also get low blood sugar sometimes. Wouldn’t hurt to rule it out. Hope you find some answers.

So much for sharing your experience
Yes I've read about the various estrogen creams and have read conflicting information
I read that the more depleted you are in the area the more the body absorbs absorbs and so you can start having symptoms at the beginning
ten they ease up but I am concerned about the fibroids.
I might try a small.low dose and see how it goes. I think it's effecting my urethra as well as the pain I have seems to be around there. My gyn gave me an appt for Thurs so will see what she says. Hopingvshe has a pediatric speculum..this is a new doc and first time woth an exam. I can't tolerate anything bigger. We shall see what she says.
Re blood sugar. I am pre diabetic so no low blood sugar.
I general have the flashes latervin the day often after dinner so not sure that is my issue but an interesting theory.
I def think an endocrinologist should be my next doc.
This stuff is so puzzling

I am 72 and something went really cuckoo with me about three months ago. I started having night sweats, palpitations, anxiety, inability to eat…. I took estrogen and progesterone for about 10 years and then stopped at age 65 as we’re all told to do I didn’t actually have any problem stopping, but then all of a sudden. Wow I have gotten different advice from PCP’s but they both suggested restarting the patch and progesterone. I went to a hormone specialist and they put me on all sorts of things, including Estradiol cream, progesterone, testosterone, vitamin D, and the cortisol Supplements Based on the lab results which were not not surprising… been crying and nauseated ever since. I think it was just too much so I backed off on the testosterone, vitamin D And cortisol supplements. I also have taken antidepressants all my life, which at about this time also seem to quit working The only thing saving me right now from jumping off a bridge is lorazepam, which I take every so often. Still exercising hard, but eating is almost impossible. I just thank God that I don’t have to go into an office anymore, but I sure would love to have my wonderful life back

I am so sorry to hear what you are going through. It sounds like ur docs have decided all your issues related to hormone deficiency. I think some women get it worse than others.
I never had children and sometimes wonder if it's worse because of that.
I agree it all may have been too much for you. That's a lot of medication. Keep exercising that's supposed to help at least somewhat and good for stress levels.
Several of my symptoms have suddenly subsided..the skipping heart and the extreme hot flashes are so much better. I still have the irritation below both vaginally and my urethra which is sore but I think it's either hormonal or pelvic floor issues. Interesting enough I stopped my magnesium and feeling better. I plan to start it up again to rule out if that is a contributing factor.
I don't see vitamin D being a problem to take. Not sure about the rest. That is some cocktail they put you on.
It's all so odd. How these things just crop up suddenly. Sounds like you need a doc who will try and problem solve with you.

Thank you for your response and understanding. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there was just one Doctor Who could figure it all out. Especially since I was totally fine for the last 16 years. I decided to keep it simple and use everything that I listed in my post, at least for nowI’ll just sit in the sun more for vitamin D and I think if I can get this depression and anxiety managed the cortisol will go down Are you on hrt? Again, thank you

Think the PC p's of years ago were more Better at pulling all your information together and helping to figure it out not so much these days
They push you off on specialists the minute you say well I'm having a problem with XO you should see such and such specialist
And the specialists are so focused on there one area that they don't see beyond that most of them anyway
My cardiologist is older and more old school and she sees beyond her specialty and has been pretty helpful but even at that she was clueless about my hot flashes
Let's face it when your feeling awful and you don't know what's going on of course one's going to feel anxious and depressed
No I'm not taking anything at this point and I'm trying not to
I am focusing on exercise, Healthy eating I drink lots of chamomile tea which is helping my urethra painand is also relaxing. For the moment I am managing but then again the hot flashes and heart PVCs have stopped. If the PVCs come back badcI will take the beta blockers but only if they are driving me crazy. I have some strong feelings about hormone replacement therapy since I have fibroids. Good luck with your medical journey. I do hope you are able to manage it so as not to have to take too much.