HRT and bleeding

[Bellelou]

Hi. I was really struggling with menopause, hot flushes, mood etc etc.
I waited until I was 12 months period free and on my GPS recommendation started taking HRT.
After 2 weeks I felt amazing! Like a new woman.
Week 1of months 3 I had a small amount of spotting. No worries, i knew that was a potential side effect.
Two weeks after that I started bleeding , some days heavier than others, some days losing clots etc. (Sorry for tmi)
19 days later I am still bleeding!
I saw a male GP on Monday as my lovely female GP is currently away.
He was less than useless! When i started the HRT, my GP said I’m sure that if I did have bleeding the brand/strength could be changed?
He openly admitted he was ‘out of his comfort zone!’ He declined To change the HRT muttering something about it being hard to get hold of. He couldn’t tell me if I should stop taking it, leaving that decision to me as it was generally helping with menopause symptoms!
He referred me to a post menopausal bleeding clinic And I have just received the letter this morning with a six month waiting list!
I have made an appointment to see my own female GP but she doesn’t return for another 2 weeks.
My question really is, do I stop taking the HRT until I see her? Persevere with it and potentially keep bleeding for another 2 weeks? Am I causing myself potential risk to keep taking it?
I don’t want to return to hot flushes and ‘bonkers’ me, but I equally don’t want to keep bleeding for another two weeks!
Any advice anyone?

How old are you?

Had you gone 12 months fully with no period?

If you are under 50, the 12-month rule doesn't always apply as gaps can be longer.

what HRT are you on?

Sounds as if you are conti type too soon and should try sequential with a predictable bleed each month.

Don't understand the 6 month wait for an appt. The 2-week rule applies to post menopause bleeding but on the other hand you don't really have post meno bleeding as you are on HRT and that can cause bleeding for all kinds of reasons.

Thanks for replying. I’m 55 , I had been 12 months period free before starting HRT. Before that I’d only had one period in 10 months. I deliberately waited until I was 12 months free so I could take continuous type. I am taking Kliofem.

The medical advice on conti HRT is that it can cause bleeding for up to 6 months. Is it 6 months yet?

I think it's up to you what you do while you wait to see your GP.
The symptoms you had before HRT won't necessarily return in 2 weeks, and equally the bleeding may settle down.

No not 6 months yet, which is why I am trying to hang on in there taking them, I’m on month 4. I don’t want to stop them if I can get through it and then beyond 6 months it’s fine, I just don’t want to be causing myself more problems! Jeez it’s tough being a woman sometimes!! Thanks for offering your thoughts .. it is appreciated.

Hang on in there. If the bleeding is heavy you can take Ibuprofen for a few days or get over the counter tranexamic acid at a chemist. (Think it's in Feminax as branded product.)

I'm on evorel conti (and have been for about 10 months now) - I had some bleeding in the first few months, but this last week I've had actual period like pains.and bleeding again. Doc said to come off hrt for 6 weeks to see if it stopped. I'm a bit anxious - does anyone else have experience of this?

I’m having the same problem. No periods for 15 months, on HRT for 5 months and bleeding started again