Perimenopause, irregular bleeds and pregnancy anxieties

[Nearlydonenow]

How can I cope with extreme anxiety over possible pregnancy and dealing with irregular bleeds? The anxiety is taking me over.

I've been in perimenopause for about 2 years now and on HRT for a year. My bleeds don't coincidence with the break from Utrogestan and were becoming shorter and heavier. Now they seem less frequent and I'm terrified each time they are late that I may be pregnant. I am 50 and cannot, just cannot have another child. I keep doing pregnancy tests which come back negative but I can't seem to trust even a negative test. I need to see my period to be sure. How likely is it that a pregnancy test could be wrong? Do I never have relations with DH until I'm 55?

What contraception do you use?

Are you using condoms??

How much Utrogestan are you using each month? In peri it ought to be 12 days every month.

It's quite unusual not to have regular bleeds once you have been using it for some time.

We use condoms but there was a scare when one only went on just in time.

Is there any reason why you can't have a Mirena fitted? That would mean (in the majority of cases, YMMV) no periods and definitely no pregnancy.

I start it on the 1st of every month and take it for 25 days. I got muddled with the 12 days thing. I didn't realise this would effect it. It would be a relief to have more regular (less heavy?) periods.

I want to keep on with HRT as the brain fog and confusion I experienced without it was overwhelming. I'm also about to swap to a different make of Utrogestan as my usual one has supply issues. I wonder if this might be time to try a change in when I take it?

I haven't given this consideration as it's a simply a method I've never used and so it's not familiar to me. Plus I struggle intensely with even going for a smear test and dont think i can go down this path. I was hoping all this worry would be over at my age. I used the pill when I was a lot younger and then condoms after my DC which has worked fine, with the back up relief of a regular bleed.

I start it on the 1st of every month and take it for 25 days. I got muddled with the 12 days thing. I didn't realise this would effect it. It would be a relief to have more regular (less heavy?) periods.

In peri you are supposed to use it on a cycle for 12 days. This is why you're getting irregular bleeding.

I think you can also use the mini pill alongside HRT- talk to your dr?

Thank you for your advice. I will try the 12 day cycle I think, if it will help regularise the bleed. That would be a big help controlling my anxiety. My current Utrogestan says I can take 100mg 25 days in a row. It also says about 200mg over 12 days and then 12 days rest from it, I think. The new Utrogestan just says the 12 days cycle. Do you usually take it for 12 days and then break for 12 days, then take it again for 12 days and so on and so on? When would the bleed normally come? Do you think I could start now or have a 12 day break? I appreciate all your advice.

I've been fine with our contraception up till now, with the back up reassurance of the monthly bleed.