HRT and bleeds

[allnewname]

Sorry, am an HRT newbie. Just at the end of first cycle of Evorel50, then Evorel Conti, so four weeks in.
I'm 53. Pre HRT periods were sporadic (several months in between, short and light), pretty easy to deal with). In the last week I've had a full on period, heavy, crampy etc....
I feel like I've gone backwards.
I feel like if this is what it's going to be like, it might not be worth it for the benefits (hopefully more energy, more focus, better sleep etc etc.)

I know it's very early days, and I don't want to give up, but any experience?

I thought the days of lying on the sofa with cramps were over. .

Just making sure- you know the 'period' is a withdrawal bleed and not a real period?

There are a few ways round this.

Reduce the estrogen from 50mgs patch to 37. That might help.

Maybe think about a Mirena coil?

OR as you are 53 you might get away with a no-bleed type which would be Evorel conti (or another continuous type) all the time now.

Thank you, I don't really know anything!! But thank you for your suggestions, I will maybe talk to GP. I really don't want a coil as I had a bad experience when getting one removed in the past.