HRT newbie

[Elsvieta]

I'm 48 and clearly perimenopausal. Constant aches and pains that the doctor can't fathom - a bunch of blood tests showed nothing. Periods have been a lot lighter than they used to be for some time, and very erratic with cycles ranging from 18 days to 50 (usually at the shorter end of the scale - 26 is probably average).

Suggested to GP that peri might be the problem (with the aches) and HRT the solution and he prescribed it. Got the stuff about a week ago - oestrogen gel and progesterone tablets. Started gel straight away. Instructions on pack say to start progesterone tablets (in the evening) on day 15 of cycle - which is today. Only this afternoon I find I'm bleeding, albeit very slightly. I've had short cycles before but never quite this short. Is the oestrogen causing it? Do I go ahead and take the progesterone?

Also, instructions say to take it from day 15 and carry on for 12 days, so to say 27. But I don't always get to a day 27 - sometimes after 24 / 25 / 26 days, period's back. If that happens, do I stop taking it when period starts? Thank you in advance....

You are on a very common HRT prescription.

Basically you take the gel/tablets as prescribed, regardless of any bleeding. You are managing the peri symptoms by giving your body a regular level and pattern of hormones, which will be stronger and “override” your own fluctuating hormones.

While your body adjusts to the HRT hormones your bleeding may be unpredictable and long/short/absent. For this reason the GP normally advises taking the HRT for three months before making any decisions about effectiveness. Obviously if you get severe side effects that’s different and don’t wait three months before talking to GP/stopping!

Thank you! I wondered about that and then wondered about the "empty stomach" thing as hadn't had dinner til about nine ... Dozed off, then woke about 1am and took the tablets.

It was a bit confusing, all the options with pills, gels, patches etc. The doctor rattled through all the options in a "whatever you want" kind of way and said that a lot of women demand the one recommended by Davina McCall (!). Then said the option I now have is the one least likely to lead to blood clots so I said "er, ok, that one then....?". He's ok but clearly always rushed... thanks!