Periods still awful despite HRT

[caniquitwork]

One of the reasons I wanted to try HRT was for my awful
periods whiich go on with spotting for days on end to then culminate in a few days of very heavy bleeding, with clots etc.
Initially it seemed better after starting HRT but now it’s like before.
I take two pumps of gel a day and progesterone 12 days a month. Sometimes tranexamic acid to stem the bleeding.
I’m 52. Have had scan before which found small fibroids but weren’t thought to be a concern.
Will go back to gp, but any ideas what I should ask for?

Will go back to gp, but any ideas what I should ask for?

Mirena coil if you fancy that.

I agree - Mirena coil. I wish I’d done it earlier. It has stopped my periods. Amazing.

Mirena worked for me as well, about same age as you (added benefits of not taking oral progesterone which had been affecting my moods) small dose from Mirena was better. I stopped HRT not long after the Mirena went in for breast tissue change reasons but all good so far.

also have you had your iron levels checked recently?

Okay will ask about Mirena - I think the gp said before that there is a long wait for it? Will ask about iron as well

You can get coils fitted usually at a sexual health clinic without the long gp waits

also re coil I believe policy might be that it’s better technically that you request it for contraception then they will do it quicker.

I went to continuous progesterone and after a few months of spotting and irregular periods it has now totally stopped

Interesting @Whyherewego - would be easier than Mirena, especially as contraception not needed

@Whyherewego@caniquitwork I was told you weren’t ‘allowed’ to take progesterone continuously if you were still having periods?
all very confusing!
I still think the mirena is better as fewer side effects and don’t have to remember to take the pills, etc

Ask for a referral to a menopause clinic.

Find out the name of the closest one to you and ask for a direct referral to that one

there, they’ll be able to find out what’s going on.
the average GP doesn’t know their arse from their elbow regarding this stuff, even when they are a woman themselves unfortunately.

I agree about a mirena. Wish I’d had it many years before I did.

No HRT regime stopped my heavy bleeding, and I tried several. I have ‘fibrotic changes’, whatever that means.

2 years ago, at 50, I had a Mirena coil fitted. No bleeding since, and I’m finally not anaemic. Best thing I did.

Well yes but there's other guidance which says after 2 years (I think!) Of HRT you can switch. This is because the bleed with the progesterone break nis a withdrawal bleed so you dont actually know when your periods stop