Changing timing of period on HRT

[KathyBeale]

I am fairly new to the world of HRT so thought you more experienced types could help.

I'm on Elleste and I'm halfway through my second packet. Last month I had a 'period' starting on day 21. This month day 21 is the day we go on holiday. I do not want a period on holiday.

I've got about five white tablets left before I go on to the others. I wondered if I skip those and go straight onto the other ones, will it bring my period forward? That way I can be done and dusted with it before holiday...

Any ideas?

You can skip it but..............

The bleeding you had was a bit early because in theory it ought to start a couple of days after the last green tablet,(so between the end of the pack and even 3 days into the new pack) when progestogen is withdrawn (same as happens in a natural 28 day cycle.) In the early days of HRT it can sometimes start at other times.

If you want to avoid the bleed, then you have to skip the green tablets altogether and go straight to the next full pack, starting with the white ones followed by the green ones. You need to work out where those dates leave you, as you will bleed once the green ones are used up - and maybe a few days before or after.

If you want to shorten the oestrogen only cycle then yes, you can do that, and take the green ones now. That means you may have a bleed start as soon as you have stopped taking those, or up to 3 days afterwards.

If you do this, the bleed should be very light as you will have only had 10 days of oestrogen-only before taking the green tablets.

ps- the cycle that ought to establish itself is a period every 28-30 days. So once you complete the entire pack the bleed should start on day 28 (ish) or a few days later. You ought not to be bleeding ,long term , by day 21.

God it's so confusing. I have immense love/hate for HRT so far. Glad it's making me feel better but so much resentment for being on it at all (I am only 42) and I'd got used to not having periods. Tho' the last two years I've unexpectedly got my period - after months without one - on holiday so I suppose this is better.

I've only got four oestrogen pills left in this pack and two weeks until holiday so I don't have enough to run them together - I'd still have a period on holiday. Maybe I just need to suck it up. So annoying.

Has anyone suggested you use the Mirena coil and then a separate oestrogen? You may well find you don't have bleeding at all with the coil.

You'll need another prescription though before you go away because surely you'll need to start the new pack when you are away? Can you get a prescription over the next few days then run the packs together? Taking the green tabs now won't work because they are for 12 days and you will either bleed towards the end of them, or 2-3 days after finishing them.