Hi Peacegirl - yes it is confusing when you first start reading about it.
First - a blood test cannot be used to determine if you are post-menopausal or not, and anyway if you take HRT it won't give a true reading of your hormone levels anyway, which also vary according to time of day and from day to day - so I suggest you don't have these.
Second you cannot compare the amount of progesterone from one type of HRT to another if they are different types - there is absolutely no comparison. The doses of synthetic progestogens are much smaller firstly because they are more effective in keeping the womb lining thin and also because they are more stable in the body. Progesterone is unstable and has to be taken in large doses to have an effect (since we can't mimic the ovary which pumps it out continuously when required).
If you are age 54 then it is deemed OK to try continuous combined HRT since 80% of women have reached menopause by this time according to stats. If you are younger and went onto HRT before having 12 months without a period ( when you would be considered post-menopausal), then it's a question of suck it and see ie try out a conti HRT and see if it suppresses bleeding.
Having said that some women do not like the sedating effect of continuous progestogens or some of the side effects and choose to remain on a cycle. I agree 3 weeks is a very short time to give it to work. The dose you are on is low dose and if you are still in you 40's or early 50's you might want to think about a slightly higher dose. It is easier to tweak doses with transdermal HRT ( patch or gel) with separate progestogen, than with tablets.
Your oestrogen level is adequate if flushes and sweats are eliminated, but some women prefer to go higher than the minimum needed to give a better "feel-good" factor. The downside is the higher the oestrogen dose you take, the higher progesterone dose you need to keep thew womb lining thin.
All the HRT preparation are found under treatments/HRT preparations in green banner tabs above.
Hope this helps
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Hurdity x