Has anyone gone back to cyclical progesterone after not getting on with continuous

[hrthrt]

Wondering if anyone can help with this? I am 50 and was on cyclical hrt for about three years (oestrogel and utrogestan). At my last doctor's appointment she suggested that I might like to try continuous progesterone so that I wouldn't have periods any more. I am about six months in and have had a lot of bleeding since starting the continuous regime (utrogestan 200 every day). Also I think maybe some lowering of libido.

Although I know that the bleeding can take 3-6 months to settle I am feeling that I would like to think about going back to cyclical. Has anyone done that? I'm worried I will have some sort of mega period and that I should stick it out now I've started. Would be v grateful if anyone has experience.

I've not long been seen by a meno consultant. I easy taking cyclical utrogestan because I was struggling to tolerate it however the consultant whilst saying I could stay on cyclically really wanted me on continuous. Apparently once your over 50 or at least 5 years on hrt your better to move over to continuous due to reduced cancer risks.

Not all consultants say this.
They should give you the full facts so you can make a choice.

Mine advised me years ago that the risks of breast cancer are higher with the way progesterone is taken.

It's frustrating that women are not being given the full facts so they can make a choice.

The risk of endometrial cancer on sequential HRT is low- it's no higher than for women not using HRT.

This is from GP Notebook and shows the difference. The figures are based on 5 years of use.

Note that none of these stats were applicable to micronised progesterone which is shown to be risk-free for BC for 5 years.

https://gpnotebook.com/en-GB/pages/gynaecology/breast-cancer-and-hrt

This is over 5 years

• about 5 extra cases of breast cancer per 1000 women using estrogen-only HRT

• about 14 extra cases of breast cancer per 1000 women using estrogen combined with progestogen for part of each month (sequential HRT)

• about 20 extra cases of breast cancer per 1000 women using estrogen combined with daily progestogen HRT (continuous HRT)

• The increased risk was mostly linked to combined HRT, and the type of progestogen made a difference. Risk increased similarly when preparations containing some types of progestogen (norethisterone, levonorgestrel, or medroxyprogesterone) were taken for more than a year. The lowest increase in risk was with dydrogesterone (another type of progestogen).

NOTE- UTROGESTAN IS SIMILAR/ BETTER THAN DYDROGESTERONE BUT WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RESEARCH.