Oestrogel/Mirena - side-effects?

[Catsfriend]

Hi,
I’ve been on Oestrogel (1 pump/arm/day) for 8 months. 3rd year of Mirena. 52 yo.

In the last two weeks I’ve experienced shooting pains in my breasts and nipples. Yesterday I came home after training to find a small amount of period (?) blood in my knickers. Rang my consultant (professor, specialised in all things menopause - I live on the continent) who advised me to stop taking HRT for a week and then resume taking it.

Other issues since I’m on HRT: weight gain, bloating, cramps.

Didn’t apply any oestrogel yesterday or today. Not sure what to make of all this tbh.
No history of breast, uterine, or ovarian cancer in our family.

Is this normal? Everywhere I look it says not to come off HRT abruptly? Why did these shooting pains and the bleed come out of nowhere? I was prescribed HRT for brain fog, stiff joints, and recurring UTIs (never had a UTI until last year when I had 5 in under 5 months).
My oestrogen levels are basically flatlining.

Would appreciate any experiences/input you can share, thanks!

I don’t see the point in stopping it at all. I’m not sure what that is supposed to achieve 🤷🏼‍♀️

Interested to see how you get on! I’m 52, one spray Lenzetto (started 3 months ago) and had mirena coil but it was supposed to get changed, turns out threads lost so having removed and started utrogestan already.
Joint aches and brain fog feel improved but serious bloating and feel like I am ballooning 🫣 - occasional cramps and sore boobs. Trying to decide if benefits of hrt outweigh the issues!

@DustyLee123 he seemed to think I had a menstrual cycle.

@WhyamIinahandcartandwherearewegoing yes, mixed feelings atm.

One pump doesn’t seem a lot, I was told to start on two and I know some are on 3.
And if you’re having a period then the breast pains could be associated. Did you get breast pain before your periods when you had them ?

I’ve read that some people who get bloating on utrogestan do better having it vaginally. Hopefully someone who knows about it will come along soon.

Are you post menopausal? If your periods have stopped any bleeding must be investigated.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/post-menopausal-bleeding/

If not, as PPs have said one pump is a v low dose. I "take" 3 pumps a day. Weight gain and bloating is a menopause symptom.

I was told 1 on each arm a day. The starter dose. I can’t tell if my periods have stopped because of the coil.
Re breast soreness: like the UTIs this is a first for me. They also feel fuller. Urgh, I am definitely not going gracefully into the good night that is supposed to be menopause.

I've been on the same combo as you for 2 years.

I do get boob pain from time to time, and the odd bit of spotting but not a period as such

Overall I wouldn't be without it, but I do take a menopause supplement as well which helps with the brain fog

I stopped the oestrogen gel as I didn’t get in with it, but I’ve still got my Mirena coil in, and I do get a bit of PMT and some spotting sometimes. I suppose the boob pain could be cyclical too. And you are taking HRT to mimic a cycle, you don’t have a period due to the coil.

So it’s one pump on each arm, ie two pumps a day. That sounds better !

Well, I’m on day 4 without and so far so good. Pins and needles throughout my body this evening but that could also be something else.