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Menopause

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Original poster

HRT - will I bleed forever?

51 replies

Rispknee · 02/07/2025 14:33

When I started on HRT just over a year ago I was having periods approx every 60-70 days.

I have three pumps of gel daily and progesterone tablets for 12 days every month. I have light bleeding for 4 days, ten days after starting the tablets.

It's very predictable and manageable, but does this mean I will have these "periods" forever, or until such time as I stop HRT.

As I understand it the progesterone is taken to avoid thickening of the womb lining and does so by shedding it in the same way as a period. So, if I keep taking oestrogen, I need to keep bleeding?

OP posts:
Theeyeballsinthesky · 03/07/2025 18:21

I take continuous progesterone and haven’t had a bleed in 3 years

ThisQuirkyAmberMember · 03/07/2025 18:32

I had this. Regular as clockwork when I first started HRT & cycled-progesterone, but after some time I was getting really irregular periods/ones that would come & go within days of each other.
I went to the doctors, who sent me for an internal scan. Whilst I was there they spoke to me about the Mirena coil (which my doctor had also mentioned, so I’d had a chance to look into it) so I had one fitted. I think I’ve had 2 very minor bleeds since having it fitted.
I find it much better than having to remember to take my progesterone tablets every 2 weeks (with a peri-menopausal brain!) so works for me!

SillyMillieMops · 03/07/2025 18:38

I was post meno. Went about 14 months no period. Went on HRT, 25 then 50 then 75 and estriol cream. Now I have pink or brown discharge every now and again. Have had internal scan all fine. I’m so annoyed. I like being on HRT but I’m sure it’s what’s making me spot.

BooBooDoodle · 03/07/2025 18:57

MagpiePi · 02/07/2025 14:51

I think the answer is 'yes', if you keep taking progesterone.

I had a mirena coil fitted, which I believe stops the lining thickening at all so no bleed is necessary, and have had no periods for years*. That's got to be one of the few benefits of menopause!

*I still get the odd bit of spotting as my own hormone cycle is still rumbling away in the background, but I'd say it is no more than a bit of coloured mucus once every couple of months or so.

I had the mirena a year ago. Took about 6 months for the periods to fully clear but the ones I got were very light compared to my usual murder scene ones. I haven’t had a period since and I feel amazing. Just the odd spot of brown mucus every now and again. Very, very sore boobs though. Lesser of two evils I guess.

PurpleYarnivore · 03/07/2025 18:58

I’m 52 been on HRT for 6 years , I take progesterone tablet daily and oestrogel 2 pumps daily . Until recently I was on Cerazette daily for contraception and hadn’t bled in years . Now I’ve stopped taking the contraceptive pill my periods come back monthly so my menopause specialist says that’s shows I’m peri not post menopausal I’m quite confused reading all this about withdrawal bleeds .

Passionfloweronthefence · 03/07/2025 19:02

Maddy70 · 02/07/2025 19:39

Ask to change to a tablet form with no breaks. Then no periods

This. I was fed up after 9 years on cyclic HRT and monthly bleed / I asked for no bleed HRT at 50 and got given it.

MILLYmo0se · 03/07/2025 19:02

If you ve been on HRT for 12 months you could discuss going on continual, depends on your specific situation.
How much progesterone are you on VS the 3 pumps of gel?

Elzibub · 03/07/2025 19:07

I’ve been on progesterone as a contraceptive since 2004. Didn’t have a period in that time except when I came off for about 9 months and it was awful. Went back on the progesterone. Started HRT (Evorel conti 50 patches last August and an additional 25 patch feb this year ) and haven’t had any bleeding.

Dugongs · 03/07/2025 19:18

It depends .. from my little experience.. some people bleed until the body adjusts. Or you may need measurements amended.

I have not had periods for a few years and then recently when dose changed, (pumps increased) I bled more and although light -almost constantly.

I was asked to consider a coil but I have heard horrific stories from friends so I do not want to go down that route.

It has been changed again (lowered in # pumps but with vagirux added) and (touch wood) appears to be stabilising again.

It may be that you need a adjustment.

Good luck 🤞🏻

GaladrielHiggins · 03/07/2025 19:33

I’m on patches and daily progesterone pill and cycles are between 14 and 22 days so taking it daily doesn’t automatically stop the bleeding. I would love the bleeding to stop!

PerkySnail · 03/07/2025 19:59

I'm 43 and in menopause. Had no period for a year. I'm afraid on going on the hrt and coil (as suggested by gp) as the progesterone causes weight gain. Has anybody noticed this?

GentleSquid · 03/07/2025 20:10

Now you have been on cyclical HRT for 12 mo ths you can request change to continuous hrt (no breaks in progesterone). You can get less predicatable spotting/bleeding for a few months before it settles down. Or consider getting mirena fitted for the progesterone, no bleeds at all usually.

Doggymummar · 03/07/2025 20:12

Rattai · 02/07/2025 15:22

I think the doctors will soon advise you to switch to progesterone once every day. Then there is no bleed

Yes this is what happened to me this month when I had my three year review. I'm now on continuous rather than sequential

GentleSquid · 03/07/2025 20:12

PerkySnail · 03/07/2025 19:59

I'm 43 and in menopause. Had no period for a year. I'm afraid on going on the hrt and coil (as suggested by gp) as the progesterone causes weight gain. Has anybody noticed this?

Nope. Coil doesn’t cause weight gain. Menopause does though

Ginandbareit · 03/07/2025 20:35

This is very interesting and making me wonder what is going on with me, I’m using 2 pumps oestrogel a day and have a mirena coil and getting brownish discharge periods irregularly, at least monthly but sometimes every 2 weeks for a while. I’m 55 and really fed up with it now.

Purpleavocado · 03/07/2025 21:45

I was on continuous and kept bleeding. I tried stopping a year ago and the hot flushes were bad so I went back on. I just stopped again because I'm thoroughly fed up with bleeding (I'm nearly 54) and I don't feel too bad, the hot flushes seem to have calmed down. I didn't want to take 2 progesterone a night as 1 already knocked me out.

JinglingSpringbells · 03/07/2025 22:37

@Purpleavocado Why don't you use cyclical again?
It's not mandatory to use continuous at any age.
Some women in their 60s and 70s still use cyclical as they are intolerant to daily progesterone.

JinglingSpringbells · 03/07/2025 22:39

GaladrielHiggins · 03/07/2025 19:33

I’m on patches and daily progesterone pill and cycles are between 14 and 22 days so taking it daily doesn’t automatically stop the bleeding. I would love the bleeding to stop!

Sounds like you should be using cyclical if it's not controlling the bleeding.

MILLYmo0se · 03/07/2025 23:02

PerkySnail · 03/07/2025 19:59

I'm 43 and in menopause. Had no period for a year. I'm afraid on going on the hrt and coil (as suggested by gp) as the progesterone causes weight gain. Has anybody noticed this?

Progestins (sp?) as in the progesterone used in contraceptives and combined HRT can cause weight gain for some woman, but body identical progesterone (utrogeston) doesn't.
Peri/post menopause itself can cause weight gain especially around the tummy, balancing hormones can help a lot.
If you are under 50 you need to be 24 months without a period to be considered post menopausal (though maybe not if you ve had a diagnosis of premature ovarian insufficiency/failure, I'm never sure about that)

Onceisenoughta · 03/07/2025 23:09

If I remember right, you start HRT to alleviate peri symptoms and you're still having periods. You start on 'sequential' - 2 weeks estrogen, 2 weeks estrogen + progesterone. Because you're still having periods your HRT should regulate them and reduce the peri symptoms. I only started HRT at 52 so at 54 I moved onto 'conti' - estrogen every day, progesterone pessaries alternate nights - occasional bleed but very rare these days.

I think you're pretty lucky if you don't bleed on 'sequi' regime - that may be a sign that periods have stopped but you'd need to discuss with your GP.

llizzie · 03/07/2025 23:36

Rispknee · 02/07/2025 14:33

When I started on HRT just over a year ago I was having periods approx every 60-70 days.

I have three pumps of gel daily and progesterone tablets for 12 days every month. I have light bleeding for 4 days, ten days after starting the tablets.

It's very predictable and manageable, but does this mean I will have these "periods" forever, or until such time as I stop HRT.

As I understand it the progesterone is taken to avoid thickening of the womb lining and does so by shedding it in the same way as a period. So, if I keep taking oestrogen, I need to keep bleeding?

It might be a good idea to discuss this with your GP, because you may be on the wrong type of HRT.

A blood test will tell you how much estrogen you have already and adjust the HRT to that.

Woofie7 · 04/07/2025 00:40

I’m on two progesterone a day . If I reduce to one I get bleeding I’ve been on hrt 12 years .

each time I try to come off I get hideous joint pain and bleeding.

Purpleavocado · 04/07/2025 05:38

JinglingSpringbells · 03/07/2025 22:37

@Purpleavocado Why don't you use cyclical again?
It's not mandatory to use continuous at any age.
Some women in their 60s and 70s still use cyclical as they are intolerant to daily progesterone.

Because I don't want to bleed. I'd almost stopped having periods when I started and I don't want to go back.

Elzibub · 04/07/2025 07:18

PerkySnail · 03/07/2025 19:59

I'm 43 and in menopause. Had no period for a year. I'm afraid on going on the hrt and coil (as suggested by gp) as the progesterone causes weight gain. Has anybody noticed this?

I’ve been on Norriday progesterone since 2004 (now with evri conti patches since 2024) and no weight gain from the progesterone. I have noticed weight gain from the eostrogen. Could be just age though.. But life before the patches was horrible ……

JinglingSpringbells · 04/07/2025 07:33

Onceisenoughta · 03/07/2025 23:09

If I remember right, you start HRT to alleviate peri symptoms and you're still having periods. You start on 'sequential' - 2 weeks estrogen, 2 weeks estrogen + progesterone. Because you're still having periods your HRT should regulate them and reduce the peri symptoms. I only started HRT at 52 so at 54 I moved onto 'conti' - estrogen every day, progesterone pessaries alternate nights - occasional bleed but very rare these days.

I think you're pretty lucky if you don't bleed on 'sequi' regime - that may be a sign that periods have stopped but you'd need to discuss with your GP.

@Onceisenoughta Has the alternate nights of Utrogestan been prescribed off licence? (Assuming it is Utrogestan?)

That dose is no longer recommended as it's not usually enough and it's never been licensed- some private drs were advocating it, but the BMS has said vaginal estrogen has to be the same dose as oral.

If you're on continuous there should be no bleeding at all after 6 months (and you're mid 50s or older) so it might be worth asking your GP for a scan.