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Menopause

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Original poster

Continuous HRT and bleeding

31 replies

PMcGee · 29/12/2023 17:33

Very confused. I am 56 so think I should be post menopausal but I have never not had bleeding. I moved from sequential HRT to continuous over a year ago to stop bleeding but this hasn’t worked. Can’t seem to get a straight answer from the GP but should I still be having bleeds
And yes I am asking on here because I can’t get answers from anyone else

OP posts:
Purpleavocado · 29/12/2023 20:26

I've been trying continuous and it's been horrible, really heavy bleeding and only 10 days between each bleed. I'm going to take a break.

Original poster
PMcGee · 30/12/2023 09:06

Sounds like a plan but maybe talk to your gp first. It’s supposed to stop after a few weeks but get advice

OP posts:
Christine0708 · 30/12/2023 14:38

Continuous HRT they say can cause bleeding in the first 6 months due to your body getting used to them. There is different types so if you haven’t stopped bleeding after this time go back the GP and request another type or a stronger progesterone. There is always different options I wouldn’t just stop.

Wid · 30/12/2023 17:32

I was similar to you.
GP always asked if my periods had stopped but I was still getting bleeding - didn’t know if it was a period or a withdrawal bleed.
Went on to continuous because I was 57 - was still bleeding after 5/6 months but after a few HRT combos, it’s finally stopped. I’m on 4 pumps of gel and 200mg of Utrogestan every day.
High dose of Utrogestan because a lot of oestrogel and my older sister died of endometrial cancer last year.

Original poster
PMcGee · 30/12/2023 17:56

Oh god I am so sorry. That is so sad

OP posts:
Original poster
PMcGee · 30/12/2023 17:57

Thanks. Been about 18 months now and never seem to be listened to. Back again next week so 🤞🏻

OP posts:
Wid · 30/12/2023 18:50

Ask for an internal (transvaginal) scan to check the thickness of the lining of your womb.

Original poster
PMcGee · 30/12/2023 22:17

Very ignorant here. What would thickness indicate?

OP posts:
Wid · 31/12/2023 14:22

PMcGee · 30/12/2023 22:17

Very ignorant here. What would thickness indicate?

Thickening can occur when you don’t have enough progesterone and can cause abnormal bleeding / cell changes.
GP sent me for a scan after I’d been bleeding on continuous HRT for 6 months, but probably more because of my sister.

Custardcreambiccy · 31/12/2023 23:09

Currently weaning myself off HRT (was on 2 pumps gel, 1 Utrogestan tablet daily) because I got so fed up with the constant bleeding. GP practice suggested I up the tablets to 2 per day to see if that would resolve the bleeding, but I've just had enough of it all now (been on HRT for 6 years) so I'm going to see what life is like without HRT.

Doggymummar · 31/12/2023 23:14

I'm 55 and still have monthly bleeds been on hrt a year now and nothings changed.

LuckyCharmz · 31/12/2023 23:18

Can Recommend the mirena coil for the progesterone part of hrt, no bleeding at all, but appreciate its not always the same for everyone.

margegunderson · 31/12/2023 23:20

Similar here and it may be a fibroid doing the bleeding it turns out

BarrelOfOtters · 31/12/2023 23:25

LuckyCharmz · 31/12/2023 23:18

Can Recommend the mirena coil for the progesterone part of hrt, no bleeding at all, but appreciate its not always the same for everyone.

56 and on oestrogel and have Mirena. Still getting done bleeding after a year of the Mirena.. had an internal scan with the probe and nothing, had biopsy last week to see thickness of endometrial lining. They don’t seem too bothered.

I’ve probably got to come off anyway as changes in breast tissue…

TheDogsMother · 31/12/2023 23:38

I had this last year and was referred on the two week pathway. Hysteroscopy and a polyp was removed. The same issue started again this year, biopsy and early stage cancer cells have been found in endometrium. I'm having a hysterectomy next week 😞. I wonder if I brought it on myself by going on HRT but declining a coil and continuing with Utrogestan tablets instead.

Christine0708 · 01/01/2024 07:56

@Doggymummar are you taking continuous HRT or cyclical? If you are only taking 2 weeks of progesterone you will always get a withdrawal bleed.

SierraSapphire · 01/01/2024 08:14

TheDogsMother · 31/12/2023 23:38

I had this last year and was referred on the two week pathway. Hysteroscopy and a polyp was removed. The same issue started again this year, biopsy and early stage cancer cells have been found in endometrium. I'm having a hysterectomy next week 😞. I wonder if I brought it on myself by going on HRT but declining a coil and continuing with Utrogestan tablets instead.

I had endometrial cancer, I don't think I was absorbing the progesterone as my bleeding was all over the place. The consultant thought that it probably didn't cause the cancer, but had fed it, as it had spread to my ovaries. I really wish I'd never started HRT, especially as I'd had hormonal issues with my periods all my life, but nobody ever discussed this with me. Good luck with the hysterectomy, at least most endometrial cancer is curable through surgery and has a very low risk of recurrence Flowers.

FestiveGrinch · 01/01/2024 09:34

On continuous HRT here for about 2.5 years now, 75mg Evorel patch and daily Utrogestan. I get cramps like the period pains I used to get and have some pelvic discomfort for much of the month though I didn’t before the HRT. Last year had one ovary and both fallopian tubes removed as there was a largish cyst but have started with the monthly bleeding again. I don’t want to stop HRT but think the GP might tell me I have to. No thickened lining but I do have a post meno fibroid that’s appeared. It’s all so complicated and no one seems to know what’s best.

Doggymummar · 01/01/2024 21:41

Christine0708 · 01/01/2024 07:56

@Doggymummar are you taking continuous HRT or cyclical? If you are only taking 2 weeks of progesterone you will always get a withdrawal bleed.

I take two weeks Utrogeston daily. Evorel patches twice a week and vagirux twice a week

BOOTS52PollyPrissyPants · 03/01/2024 00:12

I am 54 and changed to continuous also and have heavy periods. Also pls get your bloods checked for thyroid and antibiodies as underactive thyroid can cause hormones go crazy and heavy bleeding. Do you have dry skin hair, hair falling out or extreme tiredness. I am having an abalation under gen.end of month so hopefully that stops periods. Hope u get things sorted.

TheDogsMother · 03/01/2024 22:34

Thank you @SierraSapphire 🙏

Crow13 · 26/02/2024 19:39

BOOTS52PollyPrissyPants · 03/01/2024 00:12

I am 54 and changed to continuous also and have heavy periods. Also pls get your bloods checked for thyroid and antibiodies as underactive thyroid can cause hormones go crazy and heavy bleeding. Do you have dry skin hair, hair falling out or extreme tiredness. I am having an abalation under gen.end of month so hopefully that stops periods. Hope u get things sorted.

I am 54 and only had one period in the year before I went on continuous hrt.
2 pumps of oestrogen on inner thighs in morning and one x 100ml Utrogestan after food at night.
I started end September last Yr (2023) and have had a few cramps but no bleeding.
Today,bad cramps and then woosh!
I am obese,have PCOS (and am on Metformin for this) and am wondering if I should be worried.
Any advice gratefully received.
Ty.
Cx

BOOTS52PollyPrissyPants · 26/02/2024 20:27

Hi Crow13 When I changed to continuous got 2 bleeds a month and spotting as it takes a while to settle down. I would suggest asking your doctor to send you to gynacology to get checked out as I got an abalation of uterus. This can help to stop periods altogether. They can check thickening of the lining also. This should be your next step to ask for referral to gynacology, hope you are ok as it is all very worrying when we are not sure what is happening to our bodies. We can still get periods out of the blue so try not to worry but I remember I used to wake up with flooding and it was awful so pls ask for a scan and take it from there xx

HowardsWayward · 26/02/2024 20:32

Christine0708 · 01/01/2024 07:56

@Doggymummar are you taking continuous HRT or cyclical? If you are only taking 2 weeks of progesterone you will always get a withdrawal bleed.

I'm on cyclical HRT and only get a bleed every 6 months or so.

RadChick54 · 10/03/2024 07:57

I'm almost 55 and been on HRT a couple of years, after a few tweaks of the usual recommended dose because the bleeding was horrendous, doc switched me to continuous HRT. Been doing great, no periods (but crazy sleep patterns!!) for almost 4 months then last night cramps and spotting, so frustrating as I'm travelling for work tomorrow!🙄