Daily progesterone with HRT during perimenopause and effect on periods

[Sleepy21]

I am 43 have just recently started HRT and GP advised to take 1-2 pumps of oestrogen gel (I am starting with just 1 pump for now) and progesterone on days 12-26 of my cycle. It was only after the appt that I questioned the progesterone aspect as my cycles are really erratic ranging between 22-27 days. I spoke to the pharmacist at the GP surgery who is knowledgable on all things HRT and she said to just take one progesterone tablet daily, preferably at night, to avoid any confusion over calculating when to start the progesterone each month and to ensure that I have enough of it in my system alongside the oestrogen. It was a quick call and I didn't have much time to ask questions as I was at work. If I am taking it daily, is there a chance my periods will regulate/stop? very happy if they do as currently I feel like I am always in a cycle and one month it is light but painful and another month it is pain free but really heavy so happy to be without them! Just wondered other's experience with this approach - thanks in advance!

This information should help answer some of your questions about how/why it's usually prescribed.

https://menopausesupport.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/FAQs-Oestrogel-and-Utrogestan.pdf

I'd also recommend asking any questions on the Facebook group - The Menopause Support Network - if you are on there, as there are some knowledgeable people who can also answer questions there.

@Sleepy21 The info from the pharmacist is incorrect. That's unusual as they're normally on the ball.

Daily progesterone is for women over 54 or post menopause, who don't have a natural cycle.

What you should have been told is that using HRT resets your cycle into an HRT cycle. So, you don't follow your own cycle to try to time the progesterone.
You take progesterone at the same time each month.
Ideally, you'd start with 12 days mid cycle, but you can start anytime BUT STICK WITH THE SAME DATE.

So if you start 12 days on 25 June, the next 12 days would start 25 July etc.

It might take a few months to settle down.

If I am taking it daily, is there a chance my periods will regulate/stop?

Using progesterone daily at your age with periods is not recommended.
You're likely to have bleeding at any time because 100mgs Utrogestan PLUS your own estrogen won't control the cycle.

This explains it. https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/postmeno.php

Thank you v much - this is really helpful x

Thank you! Ok, I took one last night but I will just have to forget about that - I will keep it simple and just start taking 2 pills on day 15 until 26 (I got it wrong, it wasn’t 12) as GP advised which falls on 1 July, and then start next progesterone on 1 August - is it ok to continue taking even if your period starts while you are taking it ?

The leaflet does say 12 days with 14 days an option. Days 15-26 inclusive is 12 days. The 14 days is usually for women who have heavier withdrawal bleeds with HRT.

You carry on taking it even if you have a period .
Eventually- maybe 3 months?- you should find your periods and the withdrawal bleed happen at the same time.