3 monthly HRT

[itsmeagainagain]

Hello! I'm new to HRT and am taking it under advice of a consultant for severe PMS. I'm 45... He didn't really explain exactly how to take it other than to only take the progesterone in the third month. I'm not clear on whether to take it at the beginning of the third month or the end of the third month? Also do I keep taking the estradot at the same time ( I think so). Struggling to get a clear answer from my GP (who has already prescribed me the wrong dose of oestrogen) and can't get hold of consultants secretary. Thanks for any help!

I start taking my progesterone 1st of every month purely because it's easier for me to remember.
I take the estrogen part of my hrt everyday including when on progesterone.

hi @Girlintheframe thanks for replying.... that sounds like a good idea and easy to remember - thanks!

@itsmeagainagain and @Girlintheframe

If you are taking it only every 3rd month you definitely don't take it every month.

You take it after 10 weeks on estrogen only, so the entire cycle is 12 weeks.
10 weeks on your patches only then 2 weeks of patch + Utrogestan.

So you count 10 weeks from putting on your patch. eg if you started HRT on 1st January, you'd count all of Jan, all of Feb and 2 weeks into March, then start the Utrogestan.

Obviously if a month has 5 weeks, that counts as 5 weeks.

hi @JinglingSpringbells thanks for that - that makes sense to view the entire three months as one cycle. It's shocking the lack of guidance around this - the GP had no clue, has messed up the prescription anyway and can't answer any of my questions with any kind of conviction. Thank you I appreciate your help.

You're welcome.

Just to reassure you, there is a tablet form of 3-monthly hrt called Tridestra.
It is based on 84 days ( 12 weeks x 7 days) and the final 2 weeks are both hormones.