Anteverted uterus, urinary incontinence, perimenopause.

[Beabun]

I'm 52, perimenopause I think, still monthly periods, had postcoital bleeding, had US, D&C, hysteroscopy.  Only finding was 2 uterine polyps which were removed.  Pathology showed proliferative pattern endometrium, prolonged estrogen effect, stromal breakdown (which I think is normal for menstrual cycle), haven't talked to Dr. yet, but I work in the hospital dept. and I transcribed my own report.  Dr. said uterus was anteverted 8 cm. Even tho it's not enlarged, could the anteverted uterus cause urinary incontinence with sneezing and coughing?  I did not ask my Dr. this as I'm too embarrassed but I may ask when she calls with biopsy results. Also since I still have monthly periods, so no hormone imbalance, could I still have perimenopause symptoms?  The ones I notice most are hot flashes, palpitations, forgetfulness.  I also have a low back ache after lying in bed all night which gets better as I move about, and tingling in feet.  X-rays show mild arthritis.  Diabetes and thyroid normal.  Neurontin was no help.  Antiarthritic no help so far.  Could this aching in back and feet tingling be related at all to perimenopause?  Thank you.

[Machelle Seibel, MD]

A. You have a number of symptoms, and some could be due to perimenopause.  Symptoms like hot flashes, palpitations and forgetfulness all could be due to it.  Losing urine happens to 1 in 3 women and is common. It may be due to perimenopause but can also be due to changes in your tissue. Many women are embarrassed and wait up to 3 years or more to tell their doctors.  Tell yours. Maybe your own gynecologist can also help you and if not, ask for a referral to a urogynecologist who deals with these problems.

Your tingling in your feet could be due to many things.  Since you have arthritis and a back ache, you could have a bulging disc that is in your backbone or a bone spur or other problem putting pressure on your nerves and causing the tingling.  Mention this to your doctor also and ask if you can have a referral to an orthopedic doctor.  Finally, pathology that shows proliferative endometrium is very good and means there is no cancer of the lining.  
Machelle M. Seibel, MD

[Beabun]

Another thought, as I get older and heading towards menopause, I thought menstrual periods would slow down but they have not, actually are getting heavier than ever before.  They're probably not very heavy compared to many women, but for myself, they are.  My periods have always been scant, but are getting heavier.  Another reason Dr. did D&C, which was just done last week.