Thank you, ladies. I only know that when I started the hormones, I had been skipping periods for 3-4 months, followed by monthly for 3-4 months, then 6-7 weeks, then skipping 3-4 months again. This pattern went on for a couple years after a couple years of long flooding periods and non-stop spotting. Just over a year ago my FSH tested over 100, so I suppose I was either finished or very close to finished.
My mother finished in her early 40s as well, and never had added estrogen, only recently began supplementing vitamins, and isn't showing any signs beyond normal aging at age 68. I am optimistic that I share those genes.
I had ill effects from Mirena as contraceptive, so won't be doing that again. If anything, I'll start fresh with a long cycle, which is what my doctor has recommended all along. At this point I need proof that the estrogen is helping me enough to make the course of progesterone worthwhile. While I do notice several positive effects, the negatives are outweighing the positives. If I'm worse or the same after quitting altogether, I think I'll know that perhaps I needed more estrogen. If I'm better after stopping, then maybe I can survive without or maybe can try again with lower doses.
I'll be stopping progesterone now, and cutting patches in half for the time being.
I may have my answer before I'm completely off the patch.