. . . to stop taking HRT?

[ZiggyForever]

Would appreciate some advice from MNers - I'm 37 with premature ovarian failure; have been perimenopausal for years (haywire periods, hot flushes, moods etc.) I changed GP surgery a few months ago and eventually my menopause-like symptoms (primarily the low mood) became too much for me so I went to see my new doctor, who prescribed Femiston Conti 1/5.

I've been taking it for three months and have been bleeding pretty much constantly the entire time - maybe two or three days clear every couple of weeks or so. I went back to the doctor on Friday, thinking he would either up the dose or prescribe a different one, and instead he prescribed the same tablets and referred me to a gynaecologist (which will take weeks/months).

I'm frustrated with myself because I should have questioned him more, but my mind was elsewhere (work etc.) and it was only later in the day that I thought, "arrrrgh, so I just have to put up with this bleeding for another couple of months, then?!"

I'm tempted to stop taking the HRT. Should I?

I had this, had about three non bleeding days every month when was referred. Including some horrid camera investigations. Am now on the sequi. Please don't just stop, you risk osteoporosos.

Hi Alternative - what is "sequi"?

Whatever you do please don't stop taking HRT unless there are medical contraindications. 37 is way too soon to crash into old age. Your doctor needs to find one which is right for you or ideally send you to a menopause clinic so you can be seen by experts.
I had my ovaries/womb removed at 40 and was put on an implant right away. I am now 68 and in peak form, still happily getting my implant twice a year. As you still have a womb you need progesterone as well as oestrogen. Don't worry there will be a method which works for you.

You should be on one that gives you a cycle to mimic a natural one at your age. Also 1mg is low - I would ask for femoston 2/10 which is a very well tolerated sequential hrt. Good luck

Okay, I definitely won't stop taking it then, but now I'm thinking if the tablets I'm on are 1/5 and 2/10 might be better for me, should I double-up and see if it helps . . . ?

I know, I should go back to the doctor and question him further, but I doubt I'll get an appointment this week and we're going to Cornwall for a week on Friday

Should I . . . ? Take two tablets instead of one?

I would look on the 'menopause matters' website/ forum. You can get really really good advice on there. I think you can even ask a specialist specific questions? Then go back to your gp armed with up to date advice and ask them to prescribe something different. Many GPs just don't have enough specific menopause knowledge. There are lots of different types of hrt. You don't have to stick with one that doesn't work for you for months.

Go back and see your GP again and ask to up the dose. Two months is too long to be suffering like this while you wait for an appointment. Surely you risk becoming anaemic from bleeding so much. Sorry you're going through this at such a young age.

Also there is that 'Daisy Network' which is a support group for women with premature ovarian failure.

Thanks ladies - I'll go back to the GP, and focus this time! And I'll have a look at the suggested forums.

I hate this