HRT and Periods

[mrschocolatte]

Hoping someone has had a similar experience and can give me some advice/reassurance!

I started oral HRT in 2018 as my periods had stopped for over a year. Had all the classic symptoms and the HRT was a godsend. In the Summer of 2021 I had a bleed and my GP had me referred to the local hospital and I had a gynaecologist examine me and also do a hysteroscopy, which was a pretty awful experience. Long shot though was, nothing was wrong and I was fine to continue with HRT.

Fast forward to Autumn 2022 and I started getting all the symptoms back - lack of sleep, hot flushes, weight gain etc. so my GP had me referred to a menopause clinic. I had my appointment in December and the Doctor recommended I switch from oral HRT to the Evorel patch and Utrogestan to be taken daily at night. Since the switch I have had two heavy periods each lasting a couple of weeks at a time. Which is pretty rotten after not having had a period since 2018 (with the exception of the one in 2021).

Has anyone else experienced this and if so what was the cause/outcome? I know I have to get in touch with my GP about this but I really don’t want to mess about with my HRT and the thought of another internal exam and hysteroscopy makes me feel really anxious and upset.

Would you consider a mirena coil ?

Hi @DustyLee123 - I hadn’t considered a coil and I’m a bit ignorant about them to be honest. Do they stop periods?

It should do, and it’s the progesterone part of HRT

Thanks @DustyLee123. I just googled this and I can see it can be used for HRT therapy. Definitely an option to consider if I have to give up the ghost on patches and Utrogestan.

I read somewhere that GPS are reluctant to give the more a coil to women who are considered post menopausal - if your periods had completely stopped then you'd fall into that category.

I really like patches because utrogestan gave me awful headaches in oral form. Maybe the patches which are all estrogen and progesterone (Evorel conti?)

I’m 59 and have had a mirena for over two years. It works well.

Hi @ImAvingOops I’m on Evorel 75 patches. I didn’t realise you could get a combined patch and forgo oral Utrogestan. I may explore that with my GP.

Having read up about the coil I don’t that’s an option for me. I’m not sure I could cope with it being fitted! But prior to this year my periods had completely stopped for 5 years so not sure the coil would suit me.

cAn someone have a coil into their 80s or older?

Hello
I have 3 boxes of utrogestan 100 and 2 evorel 100 patches. I can't use them as now on different hrt. Does anyone want them? Seems a shame to throw them out .

@mrschocolatte I think you might need Evorel Conti, which have both estrogen and progesterone and are for women whose periods have stopped already

@ImAvingOops Just wanted to let you know that I had a chat with my GP today and I have been switched to the Evorel Conti patches. Thank you so much for the advice you gave as I had no idea this was an option for me. Fingers crossed these do the trick. Thank you again 💐

@Julesgelden Hi there - thank you for the offer but I am now in the same position and have some patches and Utrogestan tablets I don’t need.

I would like the patches if possible

Hope everything works out for you.

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