Did your periods restart when you starting on HRT?

[Decisionsdecisions1]

Hoping someone can help (while I continue to try to get a GP appointment…)…

If you’re periods had pretty much stopped by the time you started HRT, did they restart?

I’m 51 and my periods have pretty much stopped after 4 years of becoming less and less frequent. I’ve managed menopause symptoms (anxiety, irritability, waking at night etc) so far by lifestyle (diet/exercise/limiting caffeine etc) and magnesium etc.

But the hot flushes and sleeplessness and anxiety have become really difficult and frequent now. But I really don’t want intermittent bleeding etc to start again. I’m frankly loving not having periods!

@Decisionsdecisions1 , I’ve wondered this as well

Too many - me too….
All of my friends who are on HRT were still having periods so I’ve no one to ask IRL and can’t find a straight answer online - it seems some do, some don’t.

They did for me. Had been a bit all over the place and had stopped for 6 months (I’m 46) when I started HRT they returned, regular and same as my old cycle.

If your periods have stopped for more than a year you can have continuous HRT which doesn't give periods.

You can also do this if your periods are very infrequent if your doctor agrees, but you might then have some breakthrough bleeding which might lead to further investigations., as bleeding after menopause can be a cancer symptom and if you're on continuous HRT you can't tell if you're in full menopause or not very easily.

Mine didn't, I had not had a period for about a year when I started taking HRT

@Decisionsdecisions1 HRT doesn't restart periods. (Periods come when you have no eggs - when the ovaries are empty = no periods.)

There are 2 sorts of HRT- one for women still with natural periods (even just a few a year) and women whose periods have stopped forever.

HRT for women in peri (or not at least a year without any) is formulated to give a withdrawal bleed each month. This is the same as the oral contraceptive pill which also gives a false period each month.

Once you're either 54 or not had a period for 12+ months you can use a type of HRT which doesn't give a withdrawal bleed, if that's your choice.

Thanks all this is really helpful - I think then if I wait a few more months and don't get a period, it will have been a year and maybe I'll see my GP at that point.

Just have to ride out the symptoms for a few months more.

Same

I'm 47 on continuous hrt but still got a period regularly although heavy and painful. I get occasional break through bleeds that are very light. Menopause is a minefield!!

@Dawn1331
The guidance is over 54 or without a period for at least 12 months. Were you post menopausal when you started HRT?
Continuous should be bleed free after 6 months. If it's not you should see your GP to discuss the type of HRT

www.menopausematters.co.uk/postmeno.php

@dontcryformeargentina

Are you sure they aren't withdrawal bleeds?

These are what you'd have on sequential HRT (see my post earlier.)

I don't know if it's withdrawal bleeds or faux periods. I have been on HRT for 3 years and i have regular monthly bleeds, not heavy and quite short 2-3 days.

My periods had been very sporadic however, as soon as I started HRT they came back every month ..... which made my menopausal anxiety even higher!!! As a previous poster says, if you've not had a period for a year ( or if you are 55 - whatever comes first ), you can take continuous HRT that doesn't give you a period .... looks like I'll be waiting until I'm 55 at this rate! Good luck with whatever you decide!

@JinglingSpringbells my periods were heavy and out of kilter so Dr suggested continual progesterone. I just feel adrift in menopause- my Dr claims to be knowledgeable but just runs blood tests which are normal - I've only ever been offered the patch but nothing else x

Your GP sounds hopeless. And clueless.
The whole point of not using continuous too soon is to avoid these bleeds especially in younger women like you. Obviously if it did what your GP hoped, you'd not be bleeding!

And NICE says no blood tests for women over 45 as they are unreliable and a waste of NHS resources.

If you go back, print off the info I left on the link which is written by an NHS consultant.

Or find another GP who knows about HRT.

I didn't restart any bleeding but I'm on tibolone. It doesn't seem like it's commonly prescribed from what I see on MN.

It does have some other risks, like stroke, and is tablet form which most drs now try to avoid.
It does have a similar action to testosterone on libido and it's sometimes prescribed for that reason.
if your dr didn't explain the reasons behind prescribing it, you should ask as there are some negatives around it.

I had my last period ten years ago, started HRT around 9 years ago, had a blood test a few months back and my oestrogen levels were lower than my GP would have liked, so upped my HRT from two pumps of the gel to 3, doubled the progesterone and I am now bleeding again, urgh! sore boobs the lot, have put up for it for a couple of weeks, I am not seeing her again for another month, so I have reduced it back down to the dose I was on and bleeding already tapering off, I am early 60s.

Any change in dosage can give new side effects for 3 months.

Why did your GP test your levels?
My consultant refuses to (well, that's not how they say it- they explain very clearly why it's a waste of time - and as I'd be paying for it, it's not a money saving decision.)

Thank you @JinglingSpringbells
I'm not 60 as yet but I may get a private menopause specialist appt because I don't want to lose the testosterone like effects.

Same. I spoke to my GP & she said it’s fine, just my own hormones breaking through & causing the periods.

@JinglingSpringbells @Mainoo72 It's bad when we get more information and support from forums as our GPS don't physically see us or have time to listen. I just feel abandoned in menopause x

@Decisionsdecisions1

But the hot flushes and sleeplessness and anxiety have become really difficult and frequent now.

Before starting HRT (mainly for the anxiety that I was struggling with), I tried 3mg slow release melatonin, which really helped with the insomnia, both initially getting to sleep and dealing with the 3am wakefulness, and also stopped the hot flushes and night sweats. I found I only needed to take it about 2 nights a week (although it can give you vivid dreams).

There is some research out there about the benefits of melatonin for menopause, so worth a look.

@dontcryformeargentina after reading this I think maybe I need to go back to two weeks or progesterone and allow the period. The Dr really is useless x

I'd say 90% of posts here are because the GP has done something wrong or doesn't know.
It's shocking.

You know they get no menopause training other than half a day at med school?
Anything they do know is their own CPD and then they have to invest in online training for HRT.

The BMS runs numerous courses over the year that GPs could use but it doesn't look as if many do.

@JinglingSpringbells my Dr said she was clued up on menopause then ordered bloods after I told her they're not reliable! We're not being listened to and there is no advice out there apart from ladies like all of you x