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[pants46]

Hey Ladies, it's me again !!
So I saw a hormone specialist privately. He did full blood tests, which came back -
FSH 40.5
Estrdiol 80
LH 37.1
Testosterone 0.9
While he said the NICE guidelines were to do another test in 6 weeks, because I'd had a breakdown he was going to get me on HRT straight away.
I've been given Evorel 100 patches and Utrogestan 100 for 12 days per cycle.
I started the patches staight away, I did 1/4 patch, then 1/2 patch, then full patch. I'm on my 4th full patch today. So 3 weeks in total.
However, I should have taken the Utro after about a week, to align with my cycle (which had been 24 - 26 days). But I didn't want to go onto Prog so quickly. I thought that I could do the E on its own until my next period, then start counting days and add the P when I needed to in my next cycle. I hope that makes sense.
But my period hasn't come yet. I was expecting it at 26 days, but I am now at 34 days.
Could the patchès have stopped my period ? I know it's a high dose, but I did start slowly in the first week.
Or do you think that I am now showing proper signs of being peri (ie. my cycle has lengthened on its own, albeit quite dramatically) ?
And what do I do now ? Do I wait for my period to come, then add the Utro after 16 days (as per a 28 day cycle), or should I add it now to ensure I get a bleed ?
Thanks for your help.
Pants. xx

[Hurdity]

Hi pants - your post got missed.....

Interesting question. High doses of oestrogen can suppress ovulation because FSH is depressed. However if I've worked out what you've done correctly and if your cycle length this month would have been the same ie 24-26 days - you probably wouldn't have reached a very high level in time to stop ovulation - if it was going to happen. I presume you started the 1/4 patch about a week following the start of your bleed (if I've worked it out right!)?

It could be that you are now getting into peri-menopause when your cycle starts to lengthen and become variable. If it has been regular at 24-26 days for some time and it was previously approx 28 days then you were at the Late Reproductive Stage as classified under the STRAW criteria ( Google this if interested) - when cycles become shorter, hormones begin to go a bit awry but ovulation is still happening reguarly. This is the last stage before peri and when women often start to get symptoms and worsening pms.

In terms of taking the progesterone - yes I would take it now or any time soon. If you haven't noticed any signs of ovulation or drop in oestrogen or increase in progesterone then maybe you haven't ovulated this month or not yet and as such your womb lining will be building up. As you are on a high dose oestrogen you want to ensure this is shed so good idea to get the prog started. As you say - you won't know when a bleed is going to come so you don't want an even heavier bleed by waiting.

Sorry I can't remember the rest of your history pants nor how old you are - in 40's I think?

Hope this helps

Hurdity x

[pants46]

Hi Hurdity
Thanks for picking up my question.
To confirm, I am 47 (was 46 when I joined MM). I came off the minipill after having an ovary removed.
My periods since coming off the POP have been 24 days, 26 days, 16 days, 25 days and 26 days.
I have gone through my diary, and think I have figured out when I have ovulated. Being a lifelong COP / POP user, this was a bit of a challenge. But I seem to have figured it out, as the signs coincide with me getting my period 12-14 days later.
This month my period started on 16th Oct (day 1), we are now up to day 36.
I think I ovulated on day 20 (so about 7 days later than before), which would give me a period a few days ago (around day 32 to 34). This obviously hasn't happened.
I think I may have ovulated again on day 32. Which would give me a period in 8/9 days time.
I started the HRT with a 1/4 patch on day 16, so 3 days before I think I ovulated (for the first time). Then went to half a patch after 3 days, and a full patch 4 days after that.
If I have to take Utro for 12 days, then I guess I should start now. And hopefully that will be approximately in line with when my period should start.
What do you think ?
Thanks, Pants. x

[Hurdity]

Yes probably best to start soon I would say - you can't be sure when you've ovulated once you've started HRT anyway as the added hormones affect your own to come extent. You could be waiting for a bleed for some time if you're wrong about ovulation.

Did you decide to go ahead with it anyway? You might be able to make your own cycle align with the HRT if you take the prog on a 28 day cycle?

Hurdity x

[pants46]

Hurdity, I've taken the Utro for the first time tonight. But I was a bit scared to take it orally, so went the vag route.
Then panicked and tried to get it out again. Didn't realise how quickly those little suckers melt ... so I made a bit of a mess. Will continue with it tomorrow though. And will switch to taking it orally in a few days.
Your help and support is appreciated. x