Bleeding at tail end of progesterone phase - normal?!

[hildaogden99]

I'm 58 & still not fully menopausal. Last proper, albeit light, period was last April but I've had random, light spotting since July (checked out, all fine). The spotting seemed to be happening less often just prior to starting cyclical HRT a month ago 2"weeks oestrogen gel & 2 weeks gel + progesterone tablets).

The HRT itself has worked like a dream, got rid of most symptoms overnight. Last night was the first night without progesterone. Just before going to bed I noticed some slight spotting, so before my body would've known I was coming off iyswim (always take it last thing at night). This morning I woke to cramps & full on red bleeding which I've not had for ages. Normal?

Due to my age I wanted to go on continuous as I'm sick of bleeding but GP said no but wondering if would actually be any better?

If you're using cyclical HRT it's normal to bleed at the end of the 2 weeks on progesterone. It can happen by the last tablet, a day or before that, or anything up to 3/4 days later. A heavy bleed is normal too although not great, I know.

As it's almost a year since your last natural periods you could try continuous especially as you're 58 and likely to be post menopause now.

Thanks. I had assumed it was a withdrawal bleed, like you get with the pill, wasn't expecting it until a couple of days after stopping. Not best pleased to be bleeding at my age so will definitely push for continuous at my review. While my blood tests suggest menopause (sky high fsh), I still had recent spotting (last episode about a month ago, days before starting HRT), so still a way to go before the magic year without bleeding.

At 58 you can trial continuous. I posted a link and copied some text on another thread yesterday on this. Women over 54, or any age with no periods for 12 months can try continuous.https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/postmeno.php

HRT is supposed to be individualised. If your GP won't agree, see a different dr.

There's a huge difference between being 58 and having some spotting for months, and being 48 and having the same!

If you try continuous and it doesn't work then you can swap back.

Spotting on continuous is the norm anyway for 6 months, so it would only be any bleeding after 6 months that might be an issue.

Thank you, I've not had bleeding & cramps like this for a few years now so not impressed! I do have a history of fibroids, which at a recent scan were shrinking, so I really hope the HRT hasn't got them growing again, although it's only been a month.