How do you know when you’ve moved from peri to meno?

[waterlego]

Just wondering if anyone can help me understand something I’ve not been able to get my head round…

2021-2022 My periods became really irregular, having always been pretty predictable. Sometimes had long gaps of 3 months or so between periods. Lots of other perimenopause symptoms too so decided to start HRT at beginning of this year so am using oestrogen spray daily and progesterone tablets two weeks on, two weeks off. Now I have a period (or a bleed at least) pretty regularly after stopping the progesterone each month. It’s my understanding that the HRT prompts these bleeds so they aren’t necessarily proper periods. Were I not on HRT, I assume my periods would have continued to be irregular and infrequent as they were previously.

So how will I know when I have actually menopaused?! If the HRT keeps the bleeds going, how do I know when my periods have stopped?

Hope this makes sense and someone can help me out here. Thanks in advance!

I'd love to know this too, giving it a wee bump

I'm wondering this too! I've temporarily come off the HRT cos the monthly bleeds were doing my head in and I wanted to see if I'd stopped. Two months without a period so far ... I'm 53 so am hoping I'm all done but I was still having periods every 2 months or so when I went on HRT a year ago.

Another one who'd like to know. I was about to stop the HRT because of horrible monthly bleeds but they did peter out after 6 months or so, so I've stayed on the HRT as it was helping with other stuff. Not sure what that means for my natural cycle.

Sounds like you need to figure out what is withdrawal bleeding and what are irregular periods... which could be difficult bar the timing with the treatment.

https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/side-effects-of-hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/

Otherwise it still seems to say 12 months no period. Do you get regular reviews with your GP that you could ask at?

Unfortunately you can't tell without coming off the HRT and seeing what happens. I have the mirena coil so am not having periods at all. Does it matter - hard to say really, probably won't make a big difference to me though it does feel odd not knowing.

Isn't it actual menopause when it has been 12 months since your last period, so you'll not really know if you are bleeding due to HRT

While on HRT (two weeks on Pro) I had no period for eight months. Yay! Then I had an operation and had a period the day after (annoying) and every month for several months (really annoying).

I have taken a break in the HRT recently to see if I was over the Peri and the hot flushes and aches and pains came back so I am back on it now. I think I will take a break again next year as a test as I don't want to be on HRT for longer than I need to.

Sorry, that sounds really muddled, probably the menopause!

Thanks everyone- glad I’m not the only one who’s confused!

I don’t know if it matters @UnaOfStormhold- although I thought the HRT regime/dosages change once your periods have actually stopped which makes me think it probably does matter.

@theemmadilemma- yes, I think I’m due a review with the practice nurse fairly soon so will ask her then.

I’m same as you op

guess only way to find out is to come off the hrt but I’m worried about brain fog, sleep, bones etc

I guess if we come off, and periods stop, then we can go on the oestrogen only products?

@Newgirls @waterlego So there are two different HRT regimes - one where you take progesterone half the time (so you have withdrawal bleeds) and another where you take it continuously. You only skip the progesterone if you have had a hysterectomy because otherwise the womb lining can thicken, increasing the risk of endometrial cancer.

My understanding of the use of the two different forms is that continuous HRT can cause irregular bleeding in peri-menopause, so cyclical is used. I guess when my mirena runs out I'll stop for a bit and see what happens, probably get some blood tests done (tests are unreliable at telling whether you're in peri but can confirm menopause)

Only by coming off and not having a period for 12 months. If you have one in month 10/11 you have to start counting again!

From what I remember, it is only once you stop taking HRT that you find out!

What when you stop sequential progesterone and go to full time progesterone every day?

If you still had regular periods then would it indicate you're still in peri?

Thanks so much everyone for your helpful replies. I’ll speak to the nurse about it next time I have a review, but it does sound as though coming off it for a trial period, so to speak, is the only way to find out!