Advice on HRT/Flooding

[PauseMenopause]

I’m around 9 years post menopause. Six months ago prescribed 3 pumps Oestragel, Utrogestan 10 days/month and daily dab of testosterone. Had one withdrawal bleed about three months ago - all OK/as expected. Now having another bleed (i.e three months later) and it is in insanely heavy - of course, I’m on holiday so no access to doctor. I took last Utrogestan yesterday.

Do I continue with oestragel or just stop everything until I get home in two weeks time for a review? I’ve never experienced anything like this and really do not want a repeat performance. It doesn’t seem to be letting up and I’m three days in so far…

How rotten for you.

You can take ibuprofen as instructed (every 4 hrs?) and this will help reduce bleeding, or at a pharmacy you might get Tranexamic acid.

The reason for the bleed is that the lining is getting too thick. This is probably down to a high-dose of gel ( 2 pumps is normal certainly to start with) and the Utrogestan is either 12 or 14 days.

Are you taking 200mgs ( 2 capsules) for the 10 days? The regime is 200mgs x 12 or 14 days.

If you are bleeding a lot, you can either (or both) reduce your gel, or increase the Utrogestan from now on to 14 days.

I'm surprised you were put on 10 days. (I was on that for years but it was on the instructions and advice of my gynae consultant.)

Ideally, you should bleed once every month OR if you are 9 years post menopause, you could use the continuous regime which is 100mgs Utrogestan every day.

Amazingly helpful @JinglingHellsBells - I’ve seen some of your other posts so was hoping you’d surface!

I started on two pumps (can’t remember, ironically, why it was increased) and only take one capsule Utrogestan due to previous PMS symptons.All prescribed via gynae consultant (menopause specialist) but doesn’t mean regime doesn’t need tweaking. I’ll get myself to a pharmacy for the Tranexamic acid. I’ve actually brought Sandrena sachets with me rather than Oestragel - do you think this may make it worse? Huge thanks.

Would you like to let me know who your consultant is by PM?

It's a little worrying TBH as although 10 days per cycle is just about ok, that would be using 200mgs, not one.

Longer term you are at risk of hyperplasia, which can (worst case) turn malignant, so do take this seriously. The fact you are having a bleed only once very 3rd month shows that the levels of Utrogestan are not a)high enough to cause a bleed once they fall and b) the lining is too thick - and you are flooding.

If you get PMS, use them vaginally for 12 days (I do!) and it avoids the first-pass through the blood stream and brain where it causes PMS.

No I don't think Sandrena is relevant- it's too little progesterone.

Hi
does anyone have any experience with everol sequi HRT patches pls ?
I’ve put on weight almost instantly.I’m not sure whether I should stop or carry on now :(

I’ve put on weight too (to add to my woes) - breasts are defo swollen/bigger so maybe it’s water retention? Has your appetite increased?

Yes I’m always hungry ! My boobs have increased in size too ,but the scary thing is that I’ve only been on the patches for a week ! I dread to think how how I’m gonna end up ,it’s making me even more depressed..I do hope it just water retention and that it balances out soon .x