Does anyone take three monthly HRT?

[TwinkleArse]

If I can ever get a GP appointment I think I have reached the point where I want to try full on HRT. I already have ovestin but I think I may need more. I’ve never done well with progesterone (have tried both mirena and mini pill and bled continuously) so wondered if that might be a better option but there doesn’t seem to be much info about it.

Has anyone tried it? Are GPs reluctant to prescribe?

The only licensed product is Tridestra. It's a tablet form that gives a bleed once every 3rd month.

www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/1647/smpc

It's not very likely your GP would agree to you using other types to create a 3-month cycle, because that is off-licence and GPs don't usually want to prescribe that way but you can ask.

I was on a 3-month cycle for years with a private gynaecologist, using gel and a separate progestogen.

If you want something tailored to your needs- apart from Tridestra - you may have to do it privately because it' a off-licence.

Do you mean HRT with a 3 monthly bleed? If so, I’m on this. Evorel 50 patch and I take 14 days provera every 3 months.
Its worked fine for me. I didn’t want tablets so the patch works fine for me.
My only symptom was hot flushes and this has pretty much stopped them.
I’m mid 50s and been on it for just over 6 months.
Prescribed by my local NHS GP.

That's interesting @Poorlybynight Did your GP discuss why they were doing that regime?

It's not licensed for 3-monthly use, except by consultants, usually for women who are super-sensitive to progesterone.

i said I wasn’t keen on a monthly bleed and she prescribed this. I have no health problems or history and I’ve had no problems in the 7 months I’ve been on it. Definitely not a consultant, she is “just” my normal GP, she does all the gynae work at my local medical practice as that is where her interest lies so I presume she’s pretty experienced in menopausal matters.

@JinglingXmasbells sorry forgot the tag!

I'm pleased you are happy on it. I'm on a longer cycle too which started as 3-monthly but I've dropped back now to around 5-6 weeks. (Long term -several years- using long cycle can be a bit risky - hyperplasia.) Hopefully, your GP knows this and will keep an eye on you if you stay on it for many years.

@JinglingXmasbells the GP said she would change me onto the continuous combined type next year, due to my age.

I've just been switched on to 3 monthly patches as I was having painful, frequent and heavy bleeds on the regular sequential patches.
Do you think that is risky @JinglingXmasbells?
I did have a scan before the switch and my womb lining was fine apparently.

I didn't intend to worry anyone @bluejelly .

The medical advice (I could link to info but don't have time just now) on long cycle is that it's probably okay but that the risks of long cycles are 'unclear'.

I was on a 3 monthly cycle for about 6 years. I gradually dropped it back as the bleeds after 3 months were very heavy and painful.

I did have some spotting too during those years which may have been the lining shedding, or it could have been my own hormones (I was late peri.) I did have investigations into it. I also had/ have regular scans (not NHS) to check.

I think the risks are pretty low in the short term but if staying on long cycle for many years it might be better to reduce them a bit.
Just my opinion.

Thank you @JinglingXmasbells - really useful.
I'll keep an eye on everything and keep talking to my GP. Hope you found the right balance for you in the end.