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[Noodles29]

Hi everyone so I started HRT - gel and daily oral progesterone - a year ago but had a really bad reaction.   After testing my hormone levels,  the gynaecologist suggested upping the oestrogen gel dose and taking the progesterone vaginally but only 11 days per month.

I now have my periods back after 18 months of having none.  But these are periods from hell - extremely painful and very heavy.  So heavy I get anaemic every month and have to take iron tablets.  The reason I’m on cyclical progesterone was because I seem to have problems with it but I’m wondering if that was due to taking it orally as I’ve had no side effects taking it vaginally.

Has anyone else been put on cyclical progesterone post menopause?  If I change to daily would this cause problems now I’m having periods again?   I’m on 4 pumps of gel a day and 100mg progesterone 11 days a month.

I’m 54. 

*UPDATE - I never get any replies or support on here?  Is there anyone who can help me?*

[Hurdity]

HI Noodles

 

Yes many women remain on cyclical HRT through choice even though post-menopause, due to side-effects from progestogens, including me, late 60's.

Yes this does mean a withdrawal bleed. If these are heavy it could be due to a number of things. First your womb lining may have built up while on the daily oral progesterone so may now be reducing (shed as a bleed) as the vaginal progesterone is more effective .

However looking at your HRT, if you are absorbing the oestrogen well, then that is a high dose of gel, compared with a small dose of progesterone. The licensed dose of progesterone for cyclical HRT is 200 mg for 12 days per 28 days so it may well be that your womb lining is thickening each month such that your bleeds are heavy.

If you changed to daily progesterone you would need to ensure that the dose was sufficient to keep your lining thin The periods you are having are most likely just artificial withdrawal bleeds if you are truly post-menopausal and your periods had stopped prior to starting HRT?

Personally I would keep to the cyclical HRT for a few months to see if your bleeds become lighter, and I would take 200 mg for 12 days until they do - but this needs to be discvussed with your doctor.

Otherwise they can be medical reason for heavy bleeding such as fibroids etc so you might also want to mention this to your doc in case s/he suggests a scan.

Hope this helps

Re replies on here - everyone has busy lives and volunteers their time to reply when they can  - and sometimes  posts get missed. Not intentional! Have you just rejoined as this is your first post?

Hurdity x

[Noodles29]

Thank you so much for your reply.  I have just rejoined this forum after a few years absence. 

I’ve been on this prescription for 12 months and was waiting for it to settle down.   The daily oral oestrogen only lasted one month - so think I will go back to the private clinic - GPs have not been able to help - to discuss levels.  It’s just so much money I was hoping to avoid having to go!

[Hurdity]

Hi Noodles

YOu should not need to pay money to go to a private clinic. One suggestion is to write to Dr Currie the owner of this forum - it only costs £30 for a question, and then you could take her reply to your GP. Can you find someone in your practice who is the menopause specialist?

If you bleeds are still heavy after a year then it sounds like either there is a medical reason, or your progesterone is not sufficient to thin the lining.

There is no harm in doubling the progesterone as I suggested - ie 200 mg x 11-12 days per 28, without returning to the private doctor, as this is the licensed dose. This is available on NHS so no need to pay exhorbitant prices for it.....

In addition - if your bleeds are heavy, and are of concern then you should be able to get this looked at on NHS even though the original prescription was obtained privately. So any bleeding problems the GPs must help!

Hurdity x

[Noodles29]

Thank you so much that’s really helpful

[Dotty]

Hi you can change to daily Utrogestan. Take one capsule at night two hours after food. It might take a few months to settle on it and you might get bleeding until it’s settled. If you’re still getting bleeding after 6 months then you can take 200mg of Utrogestan daily .

I’m on Oestrogel and Utrogestan and I’m 58. I’ve had bleeding but no cause has ever been found . Hope that helps. X