Spotting after a year without periods while on HRT, reassurance?

[Theghostofchristmasarse]

Started what I thought was a period a week and a half ago, only lasted three days. Booked in for a scan but not until a fortnights time...I had a year of no periods up until Feb this year ..had previously had nearly a year twice with then a random one at around 11 months both times, which restarted the clock as such.
Been on HRT a few years, since about 43 (I'm 49 this year) no issues, moved to continuous progesterone in November as taking it 14 days of the month was making IBS worse. Better on 1 dose a day)

Just started spotting again today, more period symptoms, tender boobs for a few days before each time.

I wasn't worried but now I am a bit!

Any reassurance would be lovely!

You poor thing. I also had this - was on the 2ww pathway and all was fine. Mine was stress related was the conclusion.

If you’re asked to have a hysteroscopy, definitely have one done under anaesthesia if you know your cervix is likely to complain… I didn’t and it was excruciating.. lesson learned!

Wishing you well 💐

I'm sure it will be nothing and just an HRT blip or your own cycle breaking through.

I also think many GPs would not have suggested a scan at this point because...

The guidance when swapping to continuous HRT is that there can be spotting for up to 6 months. So November to March is not 6 months.

Also, in theory you have started continuous too early- you're under 50, and your periods hadn't stopped as far as you know. So it's 'normal' to have bleeding on continuous if you're not post menopause.

I had a year of no periods up until Feb this year

Bit confused by what you mean here. If you'd been on sequential HRT for several years, you'd normally have had a withdrawal bleed each cycle (but it's not a natural period and you can't tell when your own periods have stopped when on HRT.) Some women don't have a withdrawal bleed but in any case you can't know if your own periods have stopped.

Try not to worry as the likelihood there is nothing wrong and the risk of endo cancer when on HRT is almost nothing..

I had this and had the ultrasound scan, which found a slightly thickened womb lining.

I was referred for a hysteroscopy as a precaution but when I went to the appointment the consultant asked a few questions and explained that she didn't think it was necessary. This was over a year ago and I have had the odd spotting since but the consultant said its more likely just related to the HRT, can't remember the details and in my case it could be that I'm sometimes not very good at changing patches on time.

@JinglingSpringbells I was on sequential but no period, or withdrawal bleed, not for years, just an odd one here and there every year or so.. GP said it was ok to move to continuous because when I took two progesterone a day it was causing horrible IBS in those two weeks. Taking just one at night every day stopped that.

Got cramping too today and much heavier, hopefully it is just hormones playing silly buggers. Really had got used to not having any period at all for this length of time! Thought I was done!

I hadn't thought about the hrt causing issues, I felt so much better on continuous so I'd just assumed my body was adjusted to it.

Thanks for the reassurance all... hopefully the scan will be all clear.

I was on sequential but no period, or withdrawal bleed, not for years, just an odd one here and there every year or so.

That is quite unusual but not unheard of.
The withdrawal bleed usually relates to the ratio of estrogen +progesterone.

It is possible that if you had an early menopause (at 43?) that your own periods can come back. This is mentioned in advice/ info on women who have POI (premature ovarian failure) and they are also advised not to give up contraception before 50 (because ovulation can resume.)

I do understand why you changed with your IBS (by the way, you might have got around that by using Utrogestan vaginally, rather than orally.)

I don't think you need worry but the scan should reassure you!

That's interesting, thanks. I pretty much had no periods from about 42 onwards, or I would have months without then a few in a row...also had all the perimenopause symptoms, joint pain, arthritis, hot flushes etc. hrt sorted all that, but then the patches weren't working as the symptoms came back.

GP did say I could try it vaginally if the IBS didn't stop. I've been low carb for a few months and gluten free for a year and that's helped a tiny bit too. It was horrible before I had the progesterone changed, I would literally be on the toilet for an hour each morning after taking it and have cramps most of the day, taking two at night gave me horrible cramps at night too. It's been worse since I've been having odd periods too in the last few weeks.

I will be extra bloody careful about contraception! They offered me the mirena coil but I had that in my 30s and it made me crazy...plus had a horrific time getting it removed, it got lost! Couldn't risk that again...

Hopefully it's just my ovaries having one last go! Just want the scan date to hurry up now.

Bleeding has eased off now. Still got cramps. It's not been a fun day teaching with it, I'd forgotten how rubbish it is.