HRT I’m confused!!

[Moonrocket1]

I’ve been using 2 pumps of gel and taking 1 progesterone tablet daily since last September. ( I was on sequential Femiston before this). The progesterone is continuous - no break as I’m 57. But I still have monthly bleeds. Is this normal? I thought daily progesterone should stop the bleeding?

You need to see your GP as you shouldn’t be bleeding on continuous progesterone. Had your periods actually been absent for a year before you moved to continuous progesterone?

Don’t be alarmed if you’re referred for an urgent ultrasound - a tiny number of women will have breakthrough bleeding caused by endometrial cancer, so it’s treated very seriously. The likelihood is you just need your progesterone increasing, but you should rule anything else out first.

Have you always had monthly bleeds (eg still perimenopausal)? If so I thought you should always have been on sequential?

I'd get it checked out. But I started sequential HRT whilst still having periods. I moved on to continuous at 53ish, as the ups and downs of sequential were too much. The GP said it would probably finish my periods off. It didn't, they carried on as regular as clockwork for about another year.

You more than likely need a bit more progesterone and or a bit less oestrogen This is me at the moment and after a year of changing doses I’m now on Evorel 50 mcg patch with cont oral utrogestan 200 and at last no bleeding

Following with interest. Having full-on periods in my late 50’s after coil removal. On HRT.

I was sent for an ultrasound last September and it was all fine. But I agree I think I need to see my doctor again to perhaps change my dosage

If you're still in peri, 100mgs of progesterone is not enough usually to stop periods/ bleeding. That's why it's only used for post menopause.

It's unusual to still have periods at 57- not unheard of but 80% of women are post meno by 54 and the other 20% gradually catch up!

You've not said if your periods had stopped prior to HRT- had they?

If you have another scan they should look not just at the lining but also your ovaries to see if you're ovulating and if any eggs are left. Don't be afraid to ask questions while they do the scan.

But see your GP anyway.

@JinglingSpringbells Thank you for replying I was taking Femiston sequential since I was 51 so always having the withdrawal bleed (was having periods then). So I don’t know when or if my periods stopped. Last year due to my age, doctor suggested I change to gel and progesterone and I’ve continued to bleed every month which was why I was sent for an ultrasound. Results from that were fine but I’ve continued to bleed every month for a few days.

You don't need to change from tablets at 57 unless you have a diagnosed risk of blood clots.

The guidance is once over 60. If you were happy on Femoston your GP shouldn't have 'made you' change.

It sounds like you are still having periods.

The guidance on scans is don't repeat for 6 months if there is HRT related bleeding but change the HRT.

If you're bleeding at the same time (eg every 4 weeks) this isn't 'irregular bleeding' as such it's more like a period.

I'd ask your GP if you can go back on Femoston OR change to sequential using what you're on now.

@JinglingSpringbellsThank you for this. I’ll definitely be booking in to speak with my GP