Breast pain and HRT

[TheGreatSloth]

I’ve been on HRT for about 4 years I think. 3 or 4 pumps of estrogel a day; vaginal (not oral) progesterone for 12 days every other month. Plus vagifem twice a week. (Following regime recommended by gynae with specialism in menopause.)
I still get periods 🙁 and over the last 6 months or so I’ve noticed that in the week before my period starts I get hideous breast pain. Really bad. The sort where I have to sit with a hot flannel on my chest & can’t sleep.
This is the case whether or not it’s a month when I take the progesterone.
I never had this previously & am a bit worried. Has anyone else had this? What might be causing it? Is it related to the progesterone?
(Having a mammogram soon to put my mind at rest but even if it’s fine I’d like to know what is causing this.)
Thanks anyone!

I don't know but my first reaction was you are using a high dose of gel. Have you been advised to use that amount or have you found you need it to control your symptoms?

When you say you still get periods, are these the withdrawal bleed after the Utrogestan, or are you having your own period one month and the withdrawal bleed the 2nd month (after the dose of Utrogestan)?

I'm on a similar regime although I use Utrogestan roughly every 6 weeks not 8 weeks. Do you mind sharing who the consultant is out of interest- you can PM if you don't want to say here.

That’s really interesting. I didn’t appreciate the withdrawal bleed issue. This (the comment about the high dose and my lack of understanding about what’s really going on under the bonnet) is making me think I need to go back & see him.
How do you manage to work out every 6 weeks for utrogestan? I find it difficult enough to remember every other month!
I’ve sent the consultants name- do let me know if you know anything about him, good or bad! He’s pretty keen on testosterone too but I’m too lazy to embark on that - plus it needs a private prescription, ouch.
Many thanks.