Could changing Oestrogel application site affect bleeding after periods stopped?

[Bingalinguist]

Been on HRT for a few years. Periods eventually stopped on it -
and was told this was normal.

A fortnight ago I had bleeding (like a normal period) and some more bleeding this morning. Obviously I will get this checked out - but one thing that’s occurred to me is that a month ago I switched from applying Oestrogel from my outer arm to my inner thigh.

I have quite skinny arms but very chubby thighs😂 - is it possible I am suddenly absorbing much higher levels of oestrogen, and this has caused the bleeding?!

Been on HRT for a few years. Periods eventually stopped on it -
and was told this was normal.
.
This all depends which HRT you're on and how old you are and where you are in peri or post menopause.

If you're using sequential HRT you'd have a 'false period' every 4th week- it's a withdrawal bleed. HRT creates a cycle by replacing your hormones.

If you were started on continuous combined HRT before you were post menopausal, (which is not advised anyway except in certain circumstances) you may have odd bleeding at any time or even a full period. This is because the amount of progesterone when used daily is not enough to suppress/ control the womb lining if your periods haven't stopped.

Changing where you apply gel won't cause you to start bleeding again.

Had your periods stopped for more than a year when you first used HRT? Or are you over 54? That's the guidance for continuous.

Are you on continuous?

Thanks so much @JinglingSpringbells . I am 50 and on sequential. Had ‘period’ bleeding on the non progesterone weeks over the first year, and then they became less regular and stopped. GP told me up to 25 percent of women stop bleeding altogether on HRT and this wasn’t a concern.

Oddly, during my first year on HRT I was applying to thigh, not arm. I changed one summer when my arms were bare a lot of the time, and kept going.

I’ve recently read that a lot of us absorb the gel better when there is more fat under the skin, so I returned to thigh. Been doing this a few weeks and now this bleeding out of the blue, so I wonder if there’s anything in it?

Forgive my ignorance, but how do you know when your periods stop naturally whilst following HRT protocol?
OP I apologise I don’t have an answer for you but your thread sparked this question for me.

@Bingalinguist Your GP is right that in some women there is no withdrawal bleed, but that's not connected to your natural periods.

I know women on sequential HRT in their 70s who still have withdrawal bleeds.
It all depends how stimulated your womb lining is by estrogen.
It could be that you're absorbing more, but more likely you've had a build up of the lining and it's all shed at once.

I'd see your GP and ask to be referred for a scan just to be on the safe side. IF possible it should be timed to coincide with the end of a bleed.

@Branster You don't!

@JinglingSpringbells thank you. The more I see the topic discussed here, the more questions I have. The entire topic is certainly not a simple google job.

For the record, they say 80% of women are post meno by age 54.
There are a few women who go on to 55-56.
(And fewer still a bit later.)