Changes to periods whilst on HRT?

[PoshPenny]

Not wishing for TMI, but would any of you care to share whether or not your periods got lighter/better after you started HRT?

I'm about to go back to doctors for 6 monthly review of my HRT, and it hasn't been as effective as I had hoped in reducing my heavy flow. Perhaps I was just being over optimistic, I don't know, but I had really been hoping for an improvement in this area which hasn't been forthcoming.

[ameliagrey]

Nothing is TMI on this forum :)

TBH I am not aware that HRT is often used for heavy periods.

Normally you would be given other drugs for this.

HRT is usually for meno symptoms such as flushes, sweats, painful joints and genital atrophy etc.

Did you have any of these, or just heavy periods?

[PoshPenny]

Yes I have/had several of the symptoms you mention, which is why my GP prescribed HRT :)

[Bellaciao]

Hi poshpenny

What HRT have you been using and has it suited you otherwise? Also depends on how far you are on in meno - eg were your periods becoming irregular before you started HRT?

In my case I had only had a couple of periods in about 15 months so starting HRT just re-started my cycle, but they were always light.

If you are OK with artificial progesterone you might like to ask about the Mirena coil - which is a ring which releases progesterone into the uterus and prevents the womb lining building up. If can be used as the progestogen part of HRT and so you add in the extra oestrogen through patch or pill. Once in place it lasts for 4-5 years.

Many women find their periods stop completely while using this.

Hope this helps