How do you know if you are post menopausal when on HRT?

[DonkeysJanetdonkeys]

I know this sounds like a stupid question but it's kind of crucial to the interpretation of some scan results and how the GP and other HCPs define me.

I started HRT 18 months ago at which point my periods were entirely regular. Clockwork.

Ever since then I have battled to find the right HRT for me for a whole host of reasons and had an involuntary 3 month hiatus - during which I bled on cue.

The monthly bleed whilst on HRT has been pretty horrific, as has the week and a half of PMT symptoms and I want to know whether this is because of the HRT (and so I would be better going on to a continuous type) and HRT induced bleeds are actually proving to be worse than a period.

I am almost considering taking an HRT 'holiday' to see if I bleed or not without it but am not keen on the return of night sweats and nose bleeds.

I had a scan recently and endometrial lining was 9.2 which has resulted in a non urgent referral to gynae (appointment mid September) but this is, in part, non urgent because I am noted as not being post menopausal.

I know this is complicated! That's why I am confused . The first question I always get asked is 'are you post menopausal' and I think 'how on earth would I know?'. The only official definition I can find it 'is it 12 months since your last period?' but I have been on HRT for longer than that. I have no idea what would happen if I stopped.

You don't.

If you're on HRT you need to stop for several months to see if your periods come back. For most women, this is pointless. 80% of women are post meno by 54.
You could go 11 months waiting for a period than wham it appears and you have to wait another 12 months .

had an involuntary 3 month hiatus -

Not sure what you mean- do you mean you were told to stop HRT for 3 months- and why?

Why did you have a scan at all?

If you're on sequential HRT, that measurement of your lining is perfectly normal. It can go even higher during the cycle. The only accurate measurement is immediately after the withdrawal bleed. It's not usual to scan women who are on HRT unless they are bleeding at very odd times on several occasions and they are post menopause (usually in their early-mid 50s).

It sounds as if the real issue is your heavy bleeds every month.
One way round this is the Mirena coil OR increasing your progestogen each month. This might be 300mgs x12 days of Utrogestan, or something completely different. You could also use HRT on a 3-monthly cycle which is allowed for women who are intolerant to the progestogen element (so you only use it in every 12 weeks.)

If you're in your early 50s, you could try continuous but if you're younger, it's likely you' re not post meno and you may get erratic bleeds.

I'm 52.

The hiatus was because not long after I started some new form of HRT I had a breakthrough bleed. GP didn't like that and sent me for a scan and took me off HRT until all that was resolved. It then took ages to get back on again! In hindsight, she caused all sorts of issues!

I had this new scan (immediately after a withdrawal bleed as it goes) because my bleeding was very heavy and also very painful (although it turned out I also had shingles so some of the excruciating pain could have been that!). Anyway scan was clear apart form some concern over lining being 9.2 , hence referral.

I don't seem to deal very well with progestogen so not mad keen on upping it!

I guess I want now to see what gynae suggest I'd definitely be up for trying the every 12 weeks thing but would need to get them to prescribe something suitable for that and am currently on Elleste duet.