HRT, and periods coming back

[KathyBeale]

I am 44 and was told I was having an early menopause back when I was 40. I went on HRT about two and a half years ago, when my periods had all but stopped - I'd gone about 8 months without one I think. The GP warned that HRT might make them come back and it did, for a while, then they stopped completely.

I can't remember exactly how long I went without a period but it was about 11 or 12 months. And then at the end of January, I had one unexpectedly. It was very light, but definitely a period. And now I've got another one (and terrible period pains!) - about 8 weeks after the last one. I've not had two periods so close together for probably about four years.

My question to you all is, should this be a worry? Should I go and see the GP? Or is it normal for his to happen on HRT?

Hi Kathy!
Hrt doen't bring your periods back, it causes a faux period adding hormones to your body.
Why you stop hrt?
It's crucial for your health to stay on it until at least 50.

I’m still on HRT - no intention of stopping! I was really suffering without it.

Ah! Ok! Are you on seq type?

I’m not sure. I’m on elleste duet. It’s some just oestrogen pills and some with progesterone, and I take it all the time, with no break.

At continuous preparation it happens often. When you take elleste have you a monthly period? If yes, its a seq type. Try not to worry and maybe ask for a scan just to check if everything is ok. :)

If you are on cyclical HRT ( two different tabs - first lot just oestrogen, second lot oestrogen + progesterone) then as Emerald says they are designed to give a withdrawal bleed which doesn't count as a period. Around 15% of women do not bleed on sequential HRT. The fact that you did have a bleed indicates your own hormonal cycle was happening that month - after all you started HRT before you had reached menopause.

Nevertheless although this is the most likely explanation, if the bleeding - even while on sequential HRT - is unusual for you - then perhaps as well to mention to your GP to rule out a pathological explanation. It is usually abnormal bleeding, rather than lack of it which requires investigation.