Stopped taking my HRT and now am bleeding

[alwaysthepessimist]

Does anyone know how long it will last? Am struggling weight wise with the HRT (I think) - GP said last week that I could stop taking it and see what happens over a month, she neglected to say that I would have the most hideous bleed, awful headaches and feel sick - how long is this going to last? Am I better just taking my HRT again?

What were you taking?

HRT doesn't prevent periods. It can help control erratic cycles if it overrides them.

If you were on sequential HRT you would normally have and expect a monthly withdrawal bleed; is this what you are having?

POLLYPERKY I was taking Kliofem 2mg daily, haven't had any periods for 16 months until now, was just surprised by it, didn't know this would happen and she didn't mention it, just me being dumb it seems, just now can't decide whether to ride this out or start taking them again. I am hoping to see an endocrinologist soon about my hormones as the go has referred me, they want me on hurt to ease the symptoms and also protect against osteoporosis as I was 46 when menopause started

as I was 46 when menopause started

Had your periods stopped completely by 46 (or were you having some irregular cycles still?)

You are now...48?

Kliofem is a continuous, combined type of HRT ( contains 2 hormones in each pill) and is FOR WOMEN WHO HAVE NOT HAD A PERIOD FOR AT LEAST 12 MONTHS WHEN THEY START TAKING IT, or women aged 54 and over.

You would not have a natural period while using it because the hormones in it prevent bleeds.

If you are neither of those your GP should not have prescribed Kliofem. You should be using a sequential type which is estrogen every day and progestogen for 12 days a month = a withdrawal bleed every 4 weeks.

The bleed you are having sounds like a normal period. Kliofem would prevent bleeding usually because the daily progestogen keeps the womb lining thin. However in women who are not POST menopause (no natural period for a year or more) you can get breakthrough bleeding OR periods resuming when you stop.

Your weight gain is unlikely to be HRT- research shows it does't cause weight gain and any weight gain is in fact due to the slowing down of metabolism that kicks in around this time - so less food is the answer :)

There are many more types of HRT you could have which may suit you better. It depends on where you are in the menopause path whether Kliofem is the right one.

PollyPerky before I went on Kliofem I hadn't had a period for 13 months - no spotting, nothing at all, they just stopped dead one month. I am now 47 (almost 48). Now I don't know what to do - I did have several bloods done over that 12 months with no periods and all confirmed I was in menopause and still do.

The first thing your GP has to sort is a pelvic scan - usually a vaginal one called a TVS. This will show what's going on with your endometrium and also if there is any ovarian activity.

It could simply be that your lining was still thickening on Kliofem due to your still producing some estrogen. Now you have stopped it, you are having a withdrawal bleed like anyone who uses sequential HRT has, each month.

Ideally you still need HRT because you should supplement your estrogen levels up to the age of 50-52 anyway to protect your bones and heart.

ok thanks pollyperky

Hi,
I was the exact same as you Alwaysthepessimist periods just stopped dead at 41 no warning, no explanation!. Next month I will be 2 years without periods so 1 year officially post menopause. Never had a symptom. Love been post menopause. Felt better than I ever did (endometriosis, and miserable before). My gynae wanted me on HRT (various reasons). Started in August and my world fell apart. Endo cramps back, continuous pmt to the point I couldn't function. After trying some different options we agreed to stop 3 weeks ago (I think been confronted with a blubbering, hormonal mess in her office helped 🙄).
Anyway during the last 3 weeks I've gone through a full cycle. I'm sure I ovulated and today a period. Weird. I didn't know this would happen either so you are not alone in that. Doctors assume we know but at 43 it's not something that comes up in conversation with my girlfriend's. I guess I'm the trailblazer for them 😉 I'm praying it just the one last period for me.
I hope your good now 😘