How long after stopping HRT would periods restart (if they are going to!)

[Icantbebothered]

I’m 50, and recently went for a mirena coil replacement (Progesterone part of HRT). The procedure was so utterly vile that I had the old one removed but couldn’t bear the new one to be inserted. I have been given progesterone tablets, but having read the side effects, I don’t want to take them. So I’ve come off all HRT, including the oestrogen patches.

It’s been 4 weeks since stopping HRT and I feel absolutely no different than I did when I was on HRT (no hot flushes, no night sweats but memory/brain fog still appalling bad - no amount of HRT has ever made me feel remotely ‘normal’ in that respect).

Am strongly considering not bothering with HRT at all now, as I honestly don’t feel any different - but need to figure out whether I still need to use contraceptive or not.

So, my question is - if you’ve had mirena removed and come off all patches/gels etc - how long was it before your periods returned?

Worth also saying that I have had the mirena in for 10 years, and haven’t had a period since - so no idea whether they have stopped or not!

I wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t or at least very sporadically

At 50 you may never have another period or they may come back and be irregular. Everything or anything is possible- stop-start, regular for another year or more, or none at all.

You might find you do get meno symptoms now after stopping HRT.
My periods stopped just before 53 and were pretty regular right up till almost then, but the moment they stopped I had symptoms - flushes, lack of sleep etc.

You need to use contraception for a full year after your last period (this is on the NHS website) so if you have another period you start counting 12 months from it, if it's your last.

Everything or anything is possible- stop-start, regular for another year or more, or none at all.

This. I was still having regular periods at 55 and they only stopped then bc I had the Mirena coil fitted.

So dont assume yours have stopped, you just dont know. I think if they dont return in a year you can count yourself post-menopause.

Thank you. After 10 years of being period free, I’m really hoping they don’t come back!

My main reason for taking hrt is bone density. I have found over all it has helped with energy/ memory fog/ night sweats etc I still have periods though my cycle is 2-4 weeks

What sort of hrt are you on? Normally you'd either be on a bleed free type or cyclical which gives a withdrawal bleed every month. Are you happy having irregular bleeding and have you had a chat with your GP over this?

I’m on the combined patches . Since starting around two years ago my periods were every 3 weeks exactly same as before starting. In the last 6 months it’s altered to 2-4 weeks. I’ve got a review tomorrow should I be concerned?

Acouple of times a patch has fell off and I’ve replaced it I wonder if that messes things up

I'd mention it.

If you weren't post menopausal before starting combined patches did your GP not suggest sequential HRT?

(Combined continuous HRT has both hormones in each patch rather than progesterone for half the month)

There are deviations from the guidance, if there are reasons for that, but bleed-free HRT ( continuous combined) is advised for women post menopause.

This is because the small amount of progesterone (daily dose) won't control your own cycle if you're still having one.

It's not a huge issue, but the point is you're using progesterone daily and it's not working fully, as your own cycle is overriding it. If you were on sequential HRT it would create a 'normal menstrual cycle' and have a regular withdrawal bleed every 4th month.

Depends what you prefer.

Thank you that’s really helpful

Hi Im 55 and got the HRT Mirena coil taken out this August and now on new patches Evorel Conti now and on september i did not have a period but now i got a light period is that normal .

Hi Im 55 and got the HRT Mirena coil taken out this August and now on new patches Evorel Conti now and on september i did not have a period but now i got a light period is that normal .