Bleeding on HRT, menopausal 7 yrs, after flights!!!

[Wezlez]

Hi, hoping some wise people can help here.
No periods for 7 yrs.Started HRT 2.5 yrs ago. Dose changed to Oestrogel x4 pumps am and Utrogestantan x2 pm.
After the 2nd bleed, went to the Gp who put me on the 2week cancer pathway. After all the relevant tests- clear/ negative outcome.
However, after 5 flights now, EVERY time I bleed. This is like a proper, heavy period, bloated stomach- the works. The flights are mainly long haul but the most recent 4 hrs.When I mentioned this to the GP originally there was no reaction.
Does this happen to anyone else? Or does anyone have an explanation?
Any help or advice would be very gratefully received.
many thanks.

Are you keeping to UK timing with the gel and tablets? If you have a longer gap that can cause bleeding.
I've heard that 'shock' in women who are naturally menstruating can cause a bleed, but not so sure about when using HRT.

Thanks ever so for such a prompt reply.
That NEVER crossed my mind!!! No!! I go with the local time. However, the current bleed is post 4 hr flight with a 2hr time difference!
Do you think that could still be the problem.
It’s not even a slight bleed, it’s full on!! 🙄

Hard to know. If it ONLY ever happens after a flight and you've had a scan it doesn't sound serious but on the other hand, you shouldn't have a thickened lining if you're using 200mgs progesterone every day.

It makes it look as if the dose of progesterone is still too low and it could even be increased to 300 a day (I'm pretty sure the British Menopause Society mentions this as an option.)
OR reduce your gel to 3 pumps.

You might know that it's absorbed much better on a full stomach (instructions say take on an empty stomach but that is because food can sometimes increase any side effects which some women have.)

I’m not fastidious with the progesterone

probably about 75%. ( just forget) nearly always on an empty stomach and this is the case all the time, not just on holiday. Which, again, is why it’s strange that this delight is always after a flight.
A thought, thickening building up and the cabin pressure brings on the bleed????
If you were me, would you lower the gel or up the tabs?

Your womb lining should be too thin to bleed.
It could be a coincidence that the bleed happens after a flight.
I'm sure you don't think so, but if women have a thickened lining it can shed at any time.

You do need to be more regular with the progesterone when on a high dose of estrogen, as missing it can cause thickening.

When you had your scan, was the lining within normal limits and also nothing abnormal found?

It would be best to lower the gel to 3 pumps but also ensure you use progesterone ever day and try it after you've eaten- even just a snack.

I doubt it's cabin pressure as many women would experience this- and cabin crew.

What AMAZNG advice- THANKYOU SO MUCH!
I’ll do all of the above.
Cancer pathway - all the different examinations, scans x 2 and biopsy thingy were all clear and lining ok. So I’m not worried with that regard. It’s just with this weird pattern, it feels that something must be off kilter……. But I’m not stopping going on holiday!!!! I may just be allergic to my husband!!!

You need 2 long haul flights.

1. Following the above doses etc. 2. As above but without your husband (all in the name of science of course.)

This happened to my friend. No period for over a year and then had a nightmare period that started on the first day of her holiday in the Maldives. She put it down to terrible bad luck but the same thing happened 18 months later on holiday in Turkey (no period between the holidays).

WEIRD!!
Like I say,I’d gone 7 years!! And for the last five holidays, it happens while we’re there or on return.
Truely hope this doesn’t become a pattern for you friend 🙏
At 57, I shouldn’t be packing tampons in the case 😐

Flights do cause shedding/period (after the flight), I ve had it too. I looked it up at the time, something to do with cabin pressure. Ultimately it's good to shed the lining.

Hi, thanks for posting I was beginning to think I was going mad! I’m 62 been on an HRT patch for 7 years and then late 2023 I started getting a random bleed - I’ve had all the cancer exams etc all ok and so they added a 100mg progesterone tablet alongside but it’s still happening but now a few days after a flight - every flight! It can’t be the timing of taking the tablet when you’re only in Europe - I take mine just before going to bed and obvs that can vary in the U.K.! Reading these posts suggests a higher dose of progesterone may be needed so thanks for that - any other thoughts would be welcome😊

I should say it never happens any other time except after flights so defo not a coincidence.

Oh, that’s interesting. Thanks for replying.
I’ve adjustied my medication dose as previously advised, so fingers crossed.
At 57, I’d rather not be packing santitary towels !!!!

Yes I’m going to get in touch with the gyne lady I saw and ask - sorry for your situation but it’s a relief to hear other people getting same symptoms - I’ve found very little online - hope it works out for you 😊

You too! I just seems TOO much of of a coincidence with regards to flights ( you see what happens to bags of crisps up in the air!!!!!
just makes me think what would happen to our organs if we didn’t participate in air travel 😳😳😳😳

😳

Hi , I’ve been on HRT since 2021 , long story but I am under the care of a meno Dr , every now and again I’m experiencing very slight spotting when I wipe its dark sorry for tmi.
Im currently on Everol 75 & I’ve just increased the Utrogestan to 200
I was taking 200 at the beginning of the year but due to me feeling rubbish every morning my Dr suggested that I try 100mg it’s been fine up until now no spotting
Then last week the dreaded spotting when I wipe so I’ve increased to 200 again over the last few nights , so far no spotting so I do need the 200
I am booked in for a pelvic scan , this time around I’m bloated & have mild stomach pain , I’ve also got what feels like a slight pinching feeling in my left groin

Has anyone else had stomach pain when spotting ,I’ve had 2 pelvic scans since 2021 but I’ve never had pain
Thankyou

I haven't ever had any pain with it so good that you are booked in for a scan, hormones are a tricky thing to balance so it may be that your HRT needs a bit more fine tuning. I have a scan next week too, doctor put me on the 2 week pathway, I'm sure things are ok but meds may need altering.
I hope all goes ok for you, not fun is it 😞

Im so sorry to have hi jacked the original post I thought that I’d started a new post

not at all, it all adds to the knowledge - always useful to know you're not alone with these things!