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Menopause

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Original poster

Is how I am taking my hrt ok?

11 replies

Gostaberlin · 31/07/2022 21:04

I'm 50 and I started oestrogel and utrogestan 3 months ago after a brief phone appointment with no discussion of how it actually worked. The instructions with the prescription were to take cyclicly but as I hadn't had a period for over 9 months I have been taking continuously. After asking for advice on here I've also been taking the utrogestan vaginally one a night rather than orally. I'm so happy with the results, from practically day one my sleep is brilliant, no hot flushes, mood great etc. However I have had two 'periods' since I've been on it which I wasn't expecting. The first was full of huge clots, the second light, no discomfort with either. I'm just wondering if what I'm doing is ok especially as I've got my 3 month review coming up and I'm worried I'm going to be told off by the gp for not following the prescribing instructions.

OP posts:
JinglingHellsBells · 01/08/2022 10:11

You need to swap to the sequential/cyclical regime which is 12 days of Utrogestan per calendar month.

Because you had these two heavy bleeds you aren't yet post menopausal ( that's 12 months with no periods.)

What's happening is the lower dose of 100mgs a day isn't controlling the building of the lining.

Soooo..... start the new regime! You probably can't tie it in with your own cycle, as it's not regular, so medical advice is to pick a date and stick to it- like the 1st or the 15th of a month, and do your 12 days from then, every month.

That will create a new cycle.

Doggydarling · 01/08/2022 10:54

I was certainly menopausal (over a year period free) when I started HRT and I had a couple of bleeds, one of which lasted a week and was quite heavy, my specialist said it did not count as a period as it was triggered by the HRT, they called it a settling in bleed, I continued with continuous use and am fine now despite a tiny bleed (more like a show of blood) because of a change from. Gel to patch due to availability, again I checked with specialist and was told that's OK. I've had my womb scanned and its exactly as it should be, so happy I chose to use HRT, its really improved things for me

Original poster
Gostaberlin · 01/08/2022 13:08

Thankyou for the replies. I don't feel post menopausal, I feel young and healthy. It is easier not having periods though and the utrogestan has been brilliant for my sleep! I'm happy to swap to cyclical though if that is what is best for my body. That's an important part of taking hrt for me, preserving good health in later years.

OP posts:
Original poster
Gostaberlin · 01/08/2022 19:44

Can I ask another question as well please. If I switch to sequential should I expect any side effects on the days I am taking utrogestan once I am taking double the dose on those days?

OP posts:
JinglingHellsBells · 01/08/2022 20:05

Gostaberlin · 01/08/2022 19:44

Can I ask another question as well please. If I switch to sequential should I expect any side effects on the days I am taking utrogestan once I am taking double the dose on those days?

Really impossible to say! Everyone is so different, you just have to try it.

Original poster
Gostaberlin · 01/08/2022 20:13

Ok thank you, I guess that makes sense 😁 So can I start today, as it is the 1st and move from 1 to 2 for the next 12 days, or should I have the break first? Sorry for all the questions, Im prone to anxiety about taking medication and checking everything is my way of preempting it

OP posts:
JinglingHellsBells · 01/08/2022 22:12

@Gostaberlin just off for my beauty sleep LOL but quickly- yes take today if you can :)

Superbabe64 · 01/08/2022 22:34

Interesting question...I did the opposite to you...I started with cyclical Utogestran and due to still having bleeds ( I am nearly 58), I decided to start taking it continuously...but am still having bleeds, which is really bugging me now as I just want to get on with things without having to fuff with sanitary products. I also do a lot of sport and am very active.
Another question...how do you find taking the Utrogestan vaginally? Do you just put it up when you go to bed? Sorry if I am asking too much...but how about sex...do you put it in before or after?

Original poster
Gostaberlin · 02/08/2022 18:43

Thank you JinglingHellsBells, I saw this last night and took two, no side effects either!

Superbabe64 I find taking it vaginally fine, I just shove it up as far as I can very last thing and hope that's far enough. Haven't worked out what's the best way round for sex yet, still muddling through with that. DH a bit dense when it comes to forward planning 😁

OP posts:
Superbabe64 · 02/08/2022 21:11

@Gostaberlin thank you for that, I shall have a go tonight...the shoving up' bit 😁
as for a bit of the other...I might keep to mornings 😂

Original poster
Gostaberlin · 02/08/2022 22:02

Superbabe64 I'm just over here staying classy😂 Hope it works well for you tonight x

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