Switching my HRT

[menopours]

Just after some advice and/or your experiences.

Last summer, having turned 55, I hadn't had a period for about 8 months and felt rotten. I was prescribed Evorel Conti patches and started in September. Almost immediately, the hot flushes stopped and I started to feel normal again. No side effect at all EXCEPT every 14 days, for 4 day, like clockwork I bled! I lasted 7 months like this, and last month went back to Dr who said to try Oestrogel pump (2 pumps a day) plus 1 x Utrogestan 100 daily, every day.

But, I haven't swapped yet! I'm reluctant to, don't know why really. I guess I'm scared that I might have side effects, that my periods might continue (might as well stay on patches) and will taking progesterone daily be any harm? Most people I have read here, and in the patient leaflet it states, take 200mg for 14 days only. Yet my GP advised 100mg continuously.

Not great on taking any medication but I need a push, so I stop the patches and try the gel + daily progesterone???

You possibly were not ready for conti HRT. It's for women who are at least 12 months with no natural period. if you take this type too early, you are likely to get the bleeding you had as you still have your own hormones kicking in.

The options you have are:

1 sequential HRT which mimics a natural cycle- so you use progestogen for some of the month and a 'controlled & predictable ' bleed follows each month. You can use this type as long as you want- even long past menopause.

2 Conti - like you have used. The dose on the leaflets for Utrogestan should show two options a) 100mgs a day as a continuous regime, b) 200 mgs x 12 days per 4 weeks as a sequi regime.

In your shoes, I'd use a sequi regime for at least another 6-12 months and then maybe switch to conti.

I've been on sequi for years and years and although the bleeds are not exactly welcome, I don't want to use progestogen daily.

I'm reluctant to, don't know why really. I guess I'm scared that I might have side effects, that my periods might continue (might as well stay on patches) and will taking progesterone daily be any harm

But the conti patch was giving you that! Progestogen every day.
And you are having side effects- too much bleeding.

At least Utrogestan is natural progesterone , not a synthetic one like in your patch.

You've nothing to lose by trying it.

Thanks for replying Jingling - you give good advice!

I think I will likely do the 200mgs for 12 days in the 2nd half of my cycle. That makes more sense as at least that way, I should have some control of the timings of my bleed. I was hoping for a miracle absence of my periods!!

I'll just ring the Dr and just check that's ok (in case there's a serious reason her script said 100mg continuously).

Now to work out when to start! I'm on day 5 of my cycle, patch due to change Wednesday. if I start then, it'll be day 7. Wonder if I should wait for my next cycle and start on Day 1.

Thanks again