Can I skip progesterone to bring my HRT cycle back in sync?

[mrsdiddlydoo]

Can I skip my progesterone this cycle to reset my hrt/cycle calendar?

My periods are out of sync with when I take progesterone. So for example I've got my period today which means it's cycle day 1, last cycle ended up being 24 days, but I'm not due to start taking my progesterone until Sunday. My cycle length vary month to month. I don't get a withdrawal bleed when I finish my 2 weeks of progesterone, but I do get some spotting around when I ovulate. I've been on Hrt since the end of last year. Had a bit of a battle getting my GP to prescribe and they aren't too supportive when I go back to the with queries or to tweak.

I'm on 2 and a bit pumps of estrogel and 200mg of micronised progesterone (brand of which varies between prescriptions).

It's doing my head in being this out of sync with my cycle. I see the occasional person say their period doesn't always follow their progesterone or that they start while they are still taking it, but not that many people. I understand the importance of taking it when you are still having periods but don't understand how this helps if you have just finished your period and start taking it on CD4.

I started HRT same as you estrogen and progesterone tablets 10 days ago, so not expert

Just had a google and the advice is to continue with the 14 on 14 off.

I was hoping the periods would be regulated with the tablets, so disappointing to hear that isn't the case for you.

I missed a day and have had a period since so no idea what will happen when I stop taking it on Saturday.

I was told by gp to take 1st day of my next period but as I didnt have a period for 7 weeks they said I could just start. But just read the leaflet in the medication box and it says to start on day 15!

I tied myself in knots over this. I am changing to take it in the 1st of month for 14 day and see what happens rather than sync with cycle. This will make it much easier. It’s a PITA. Ask the surgery if they have a menopause specialist GP or Nurse. We now have a menopause clinic. I think a lot of GPs are actually clueless about menopause prescribing.

If this doesn’t work I am having a mirena

I got into difficulty with this and got the mirena - I was all over the place with bleeding and if I missed a tablet would be even worse. Mirena has made life much simpler.

It was made really clear to me. Pick a date each month and take the progesterone on that date. Every single month.

I was told it didn't matter where my period was when I first stared on hrt.

You are not having periods you are having withdrawal bleeds.

I used to start on the 21st of the month, every month.

Only stopped to have a mirena instead.

You can get all this info on the menopause board.

You're not due to start your progesterone till sunday. Is this following 2 weeks off it and 2 weeks on it?

So where in the cycle had your withdrawal bleed come? Early? Your bleed has come before you've completed 14 days of progesterone?

Can you explain a bit more?

You can do this one of two ways- yes, you can reset. If you have regular cycles and want to wait till 14 days from yesterday you can start progesterone then. HOWEVER whatever date that is, KEEP TO THAT DATE each month.

So if 14 days from yesterday is 9th Sept, start 14 days then, and then 9th October etc.

You're not skipping a cycle you're just delaying the progesterone a few days.

You probably are having withdrawal bleeds but they aren't coming bang on time- many women find the bleeds start a bit early.

Being out of sync is annoying but it doesn’t matter. It’s more important to take the right amount of progesterone in any month to protect the lining of your womb. As your ovaries decline your natural cycle will be irregular anyway and it isn’t sustainable to keep changing it.

Hi and thanks for your replies.

@JinglingSpringbells i'm due to start my 2 weeks of progesterone on Sunday after 2 weeks without it. It is confusing. My bleed arrived on cd 24 after 2 weeks of no progesterone. My previous bleed arrived on the first day I last started progesterone. My cycles are a bit all over the place.

I think I am going to postpone taking it until 14 days time and then I will make that day in the month the day I always take my progesterone regardless of when I bleed. It doesn't help that it makes me feel pretty pants.

@redboxerclub 100% agree. PITA.