Will I know when I hit menopause, if already on HRT in peri?

[SalP75]

I would like to hear from women who started HRT in peri and then hit menopause. How did you know you hit menopause? Did your symptoms change? Did withdrawal bleeds stop?

I take Utrogestan for 12 days of the month and then have a withdrawal bleed. The bleed normally starts on around day 10 but this month it's been almost non-existent. I didn't think I wouldn't not bleed when taking Utrogestan for only 12 days because of the withdrawal bleed after , however now I'm wondering if the withdrawal bleed would stop if I'm in menopause.

I started hrt at 49. Now 52. Never really had withdrawal bleeds. Get the odd one - had one in Sept iirc - but doesn't tally with taking utrogestan. But my periods were always very very light anyway.

Will I know when I hit menopause, if already on HRT in peri?

No, you won't.

Withdrawal bleeds happen forever if you are on cyclical.
I've been on cyclical for years and get a bleed.

HRT replaces your own hormones and your body responds.

Some women on very low doses of estrogen don't get much of a bleed as the lining isn't thickened.

BTW if you bleed on day 10, that's early. You would normally bleed around 2-4 days after the last tablet- so that's about day 16.

Thank you both for sharing your experiences. It helps.

@JinglingXmasbells

I have so many questions for you. Sorry
Do you know why I may start early? It's almost always happened in the few years I've been on Utrogestan.

Do you mind me asking if you are have gone through menopause?

Hi there - early bleeding is usually because you aren't absorbing enough Utrogestan for the amount of estrogen you have ( which will be a combination of your own, and HRT.) Are you taking it the right way? Two capsules, at bedtime?

I am many years post meno- more than 10.

What age are you OP?
I'm 51 and on HRT for 4 years since I was peri and was wondering the same thing

Thank you, @JinglingXmasbells I take utrogestan in the morning. I find taking it at night makes it harder to fall asleep.

Do you mind me asking why you still use a cyclical process rather than a continuous one? I didn't realise women post meno would take Utrogestan cyclically. I guess I was worried about not starting continuous in time.

@SoLongFurlough I'm 47 3/4. 😃

@SalP75 I chose to remain on cyclical as I didn't feel too good on daily utrogestan. I had a slight migraine every day as the levels fell over the day and constant light bleeding. (I only tried it for 3 weeks.)

The other reason is that statistically, cyclical has a slightly lower risk of breast cancer. They think this may be because the breasts have a break from both hormones rather than continual stimulation with two hormones.

It's maybe not so important in short-term use (up to 5 years) but a consideration for long-term use.

That's really helpful insight. Thank you @JinglingXmasbells