Menstrual cycle moods on hrt (no periods)?

[Foxonbanister]

Can you still have menstrual cycle moods when you have no periods, on hrt?

I'm on mirena+ oestrogen (four pumps), hence no periods for 2 years since started those. Recent scan showed am still ovulating. Age 50.

Am grouchy, low, tearful at the moment, sleeping badly, was really happy, energetic, sleeping well 2 weeks ago, and am noticing a monthly pattern.

Is this just normal hormone cycle continuing despite the hrt?

I think so. I was still having periods when I started on Mirena + TD oestrogen. My periods dwindled away almost immediately and I had only the occasional very light bleed a couple of times a year for the first 2-3 years on HRT. But I was still getting PMS. Plus hormonal spots, which I hadn't had since my 20s.

I'm struggling to remember when the PMS and zits stopped. My dc were all between 3 and 11 when I started HRT, so life was hectic and soon became teenagerly hormonal, so I really don't remember!

But the PMS did stop eventually, and I discovered the DNGAF equanimity of being post-menopause 😎

Are there any ways to mitigate it, I wonder?

My PMS was much worse before I had children. I used to treat it with Pyridoxin (vit B6). I started taking quite a large dose 7-10 days before I expected to come on, and stopped a day or two after my period began. I found it effective. I had previously tried Evening Primrose oil, but it didn't work for me.

Worth trying either of those supplements?

I'll try that – thanks. I'm still trying to work out whether the hormone cycle continues despite hrt and what the cycle is (I have no idea if it's regular, if it is the cycle). I'd assumed the mirena and oestrogel woupd prevent it!

Multiple hormones are involved in the menstrual cycle. As the ovaries run out of eggs, they gradually stop producing the hormones that Mirena and Oestrogel replace. But the pituitary also produces hormones. During peri it can even pump out higher levels of hormones to get the ovaries to respond. I wouldn't be surprised if it takes some time for the ovaries and the pituitary to synch their downturn.

I'm still ovulating, according to the dr at a recent scan, but what does that mean for the hormones?
I thought the idea of hrt was that the brain adjusts and stabilises hormone production accordingly, so no more mood swings? At least that's the impression I got at the gynaecology appointment 2 years ago.