HRT quick question

[JemimaMoon]

I started HRT 6 weeks ago - continuous oestrogen & progesterone. Had a scan due to unexpected bleeding just before I started - all fine.

6 weeks in and I've got my period! Normal?

TIA

A quick question back:)

How long is it since your last natural period?

You say you had a scan for bleeding so is that because you are at least 12 months on from your last period?

If not then continuous hrt is not the correct sort.

Also, all continuous hrt comes with a warning of irregular bleeding for up to 6 months.....so how do you know this is a period and not irregular bleeding from the conti regime?

Thanks for your reply!

Last proper period Nov19. Had tiny bit of spotting Sept20 and a little more early March 21. GP referred me for 2 wk emergency scan because of that bleeding. All was absolutely clear.

I was then prescribed the continuous HRT by the menopause clinic.

I don't know if this is a period or bleeding caused by the HRT. I had cramps on day one and am needing tampon changes similar to a light period - so I assumed it was a period...

As I had had no bleeding after 6 weeks on the regime i suppose I thought I wouldn't get any! I have just increased the oestrogen gel from 1 squirt to two as the benefits I had felt in the first couple of weeks (especially with the sleep) were easing off. Could it be that?

It's not black and white what's going on, but...

in theory you were not post menopause in March this year. You'd had a 10 month gap from Nov 19-Sept 20. That doesn't count as 12 months.

Your next period was 6 months later March 21. It's not usual to refer women for scans for that kind of bleeding pattern in peri when the gap between the 2 latest periods was only 6 months. (It seems a lot of GPs are playing safe, which is good in some ways, but can confuse things too.) Periods in peri can be just light spotting but they still count as periods unless there has been a 12 month gap.

I guess you know how conti works? Estrogen is like the rain that makes the uterus lining grow, progesterone is the lawn mower that keeps it under control. If you've got some of your own estrogen still, then you might bleed on conti because the progesterone isn't enough to control the lining.

Maybe you need to decide whether to give conti a full 6 months, or swap to sequential where you will have a predictable bleed once every 4-5 weeks.

Is there anything you can take if you are 51 and having periods every 25 days (for the last 3 yrs)? So fed up but no hot flushes in only a bit of minor anxiety and grumpiness

Thank you so much @JinglingHellsBells! I have been feeling so much better - I think I'll play it by ear for a few months and check back in with my GP after the summer.

Glad the bleeding is nothing to worry about!