Bleeding on oestrogel

[TheSpanishApartment]

I started HRT 2 weeks ago - 2 pumps of oestrogel every day, then 2 100mg tablets of utrogestan for 2 weeks. This morning I started my period, even though I have only used the oestrogel so far (I'm on day 14). It's quite heavy with bad stomach cramps, definitely not spotting. It's 30 days since my last period ended. So would this be my own hormones breaking through? My periods were still pretty regular (though the last one was a week late and lasted for 3 weeks). I didn't start the oestrogel at the same time I started my period. Should I have waited? I can't find anything about this on the internet, and the clinic haven't got back to me yet. I'm not sure whether I should take the utrogestan tonight? Stop altogether and start again when I get my next period? Or do I need investigations?! Anyone else had this. I'm 48 and symptoms have been low mood, irritability, low energy etc. No hot flushes or physical symptoms yet. Thanks

Hi, I started on the same as you about 6 months ago and I am not an expert, but it does sound like your own hormones are still having an effect - why wouldn't they?! I don't think it matters when you started using the gel or when you take the utrogestan - I was told to start taking the pills on the 1st of every month, but I don't think there is any reason why that you have to stick to a particular calendar date - it is just a way to remember when to start!
I stopped the utrogestan and had a mirena coil fitted in August which seems to be suiting me better. I got horrendous PMT symptoms, worse than anything I had ever had naturally, and very heavy bleeding with the utrogestan, but you might find you get on ok with them.
Even though I have only be on HRT for a relatively short time it has been totally transforming, I am sleeping better (I was getting night sweats), I have loads more energy and I think my mood is genererally more positive. It can take a while to find the correct doses of everything, so stick with it and do go back to your GP if you feel it is just not right.

I have found the people on the Menopause Matters forum (its not a MN one!) very helpful and knowledgable.

@MagpiePi thanks, yes I've been wondering about trying the Mirena. My main worry about that being it is harder to stop it if I don't get on with it. Bit worrying about the utrogestan - it's the horrendous PMT I'm trying to stop! I started feeling a lot better about 4 days in to the oestrogen.

@TheSpanishApartment

If it's 30 days since your last period ended, doesn't that mean you are due for a period now?

So 14 days of gel is not going to stop that happening. It's only once you start using progesterone that it might affect the timing of your next period.

Also, it would be best to wait 14 days from yesterday to start the progesterone. That means you would be tying it in with your own cycle.

@JinglingHellsBells thanks - that's what I was wanting to find out from the clinic. I'll do that then. That's very helpful.

Has anyone else increased their oestrogen gel from 2 to 3 pumps and then started bleeding 3 to 4 mths later. Started out the blue yesterday. Feels like bad period pains .Not had a period for 6 years. Been on oestrogel and urogesterone for 2 years 58 yrs old.Just hoping it is the hormones and nil else Been referred onto fast track pathway by Gp. Any one had similar experience