Bleeding after 18 months

[HelpIcantfindaname]

My last proper period was 18 months ago. I had a little bit of bleeding 8months ago, realised doc had me on wrong HRT, which probably caused that bleeding. This current bleed has been going on 10days, was light most of first week, now heavier.
Is this normal?
I'm on HRT patches. And almost 51 years old.
Does anyone else have experience of this? Or advice please?
Thanks.

what HRT were you on and what are you on now?
what was 'the wrong one' and why was it wrong?

How long have you been on the current one?

Continuous HRT is known to usually cause some erratic bleeding in the first 6 months - it says this on the info leaflet.

off to the quack with you! I'd say this qualifies as unexplained after 10 months off.

It's probably just a hormonal last hurrah, but do go and get checked.

qualifies as unexplained after 10 months off.

The rule for investigations is 12 months after no natural period.

I got sent off for a thorough overhaul after 6 months. Besides OP says it's 18 months, HRTbleeds excepted.

I'd go anyway tbh...by the time you have a GP appointment and referral you'll probably have cracked the 12 months. I'd prefer to get any investigation rolling and then have to stand down.

I didn't say the OP should not see her GP.

. I had a little bit of bleeding 8months ago, realised doc had me on wrong HRT, which probably caused that bleeding.

If the OP was on sequential HRT she would normally have a withdrawal bleed each month but some women don't (25% don't) so when it happens they wonder what's going on. It would be very unusual to be using sequential and only have one bleed in 8 months.

It is also very common to bleed within 6 months of using continuous HRT. No one would see their GP for this as it ought to have been explained at the time and it's in the packing leaflet with the HRT.

Asking the basic question of what type of HRT are you using now, and for how long, is crucial because this could be normal.

Thanks for replies.
I was on Eleste (sp?) duo. When I ws seeing the doc to get some more last summer, it was a different doctor who realised that as I have a mirena coil I should not have been on a duo because that was giving me twice the progesterone. I changed to patches. Had no bleeding since that time last June. This bleeding has been going on for 12 days, was very light the first week, & now heavier. But not flooding kind of heavy. I have an appointment with doc on 26th March, that's to get more patches. I rang up for that appointment on the 5th & that was earliest after work appointment I could get.
My coil does need to be replaced, appointment for that on 29th. Usually get it done at the end of Feb, so did wonder if it was the coil but when I read up on it I read the coil doesn't stop working after 5 years, it goes for a few months extra.

The Mirena is licensed only for 4 years as part of HRT.

How long has yours been in place? Your GP ought to have asked and monitored this when they gave you estrogen only patches.

If yours is older than that, it will have run out of progestogen. That's why most likely why you are bleeding- your womb lining is not being controlled by the Mirena enough.

It's important to see your GP to assess the lining ( you will prob be referred for a scan) but the treatment for a thicker lining is the Mirena anyway, so you need it replacing asap.

Thank you. My doctor told me 5 years. They haven't reminded me either. I had to ask. 0

I checked online before I posted just to be sure.

It came up on various sites including this one.

www.swbh.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Hormone-replacement-therapy-ML36061.pdf

Your GP is wrong and you must tell them!

Thank you for that. I will tell them when I'm next there. I would have been in for it by now but when I asked to make an appointment at my doctors (which is very near my house) for a new coil I was told they no longer did it & I would have to attend a clinic in town, which means a much longer journey, and finding & paying for a parking space. I also have to arrive 15mins early. The time between ringing the clinic to make an appointment & my actual appointment on the 29th March is 6 weeks & that's just for assessment. (Plus I'm going to have to ask to leave work early) . Goodness knows how long after that I will wait for a coil.

While I'm glad it sounds like it's nothing bad, I wish I'd had correct info & changed my coil sooner. I thought I was done with periods & to think I may now be bleeding for weeks on end is awful for me.

I had my mirena renewed as a stab at dealing with horrendous menopausal flooding and it's worked amazingly well, I am mainly just cross that I didn't go get it updated sooner.

I use vagifem as well, and keep wondering about gel or patches, but mostly the hot flushes seem to have vanished so I haven't been struggling with those either

@HelpIcantfindaname

If you are still rading- your GP should give you a course of Norethisterone to a) stop the bleeding and b) once you stop it after about 12 days, give a withdrawal bleed.

You aren't having periods, (natural ones) I bet, it's more likely you have a thick lining (due to unopposed estrogen for some time) and it's coming away.

You really ought to see the GP again for treatment or even go to A&E or a walk in centre if there are any for some meds to control it while you wait for the Mirena fitting.

Thank you.
The bleeding has become lighter today. Got docs app a week on Tues, & app at clinic re coil on 29th.