HRT Bleeding

[Lentil63]

I’m using Estrogen gel and Progesterone tablets, I’ve started to bleed (like a period). Has anyone else experienced this? When is it likely to end?

following with interest as I had very light spotting for a couple of days this month and I've been on HRT for about 6 years.

Bumping this for us both.

I was on oestrogel daily and utrogestan for 12 days of the month, and I'd get a monthly bleed that lasted 3-4 days. Isn't this combination supposed to replicate a cycle, so I think you should get a bleed . . . ?

Hi , I have just started on Hrt (oestrogen gel and Progesterone tablet). On day 5 of taking it I started to bleed and it’s is much heavier than I have ever had before. I’m now on day 7 and there are no signs of it easing. I have to change every hour, it is so heavy. I feel exhausted as I have low iron levels before hrt. Should I stop taking it? My body says yes !

Experiencing this too.
Have been on Oestrogel for a couple of years, had a mirena coil removed recently and have since been placed on progesterone and I'm now bleeding.
First time in ten years this has happened.
After over two years of menopause symptoms I was hoping my cycle would be finished.

My doctor said that's what's supposed to happen I take the tablets two weeks then stop for two weeks and bleed on those two weeks it's shedding your womb lining she told me.

If you have had a physiological period in the last year and have been put on sequential HRT (so only take your progesterone for half of the month, or are on a combined patch like Evorel Sequi) then it is normal and expected for the HRT to induce period-like withdrawal bleeds.

If your last period was over a year ago, you should have been put on continuous HRT (so you take your progesterone every day, or are on a combined patch such as Evorel Conti) then you are not supposed to be having bleeds and should contact your GP for investigation. Continuous HRT certainly can cause breakthrough bleeding, but in postmenopausal women it cannot be safely assumed that the HRT is the culprit and more serious causes such as endometrial cancer need to be excluded.

To be clear, of all the women I send for investigations for post menopausal bleeding, only a small minority turn out to have any serious underlying cause. But you can't risk not investigating as if you miss that minority then they can have worse outcomes.

I had this. I'm using Oestrogel and Utrogestan (all month as periods have stopped). I was referred on the two week pathway and after a scan and hysteroscopy it was found to be a polyp which they removed. This was last June and certainly up until now seems to have done the trick. I was offered the Mirena coil but declined it.

This happened to me and it turned out that the lining of my womb had thickened and needed a hysteroscopy.

I'm going through this at the moment. 18 months on continuous HRT and now a blood stained discharge and period type pains. Scan showed lining had thickened and I have to have a hysteroscopy next week.

OP, if you've been on continuous HRT for more than 6 months, you need to see your GP.

Thank you. Very helpful. I will try to get an appointment.

Having a mirena coil fitted, can stop bothersome bleeding in its tracks. I had twice monthly bleeding on patches and utrogestan ( even though I was post menopausal).

I didn't want a coil initially, but thought I may as well give it a go.

So glad I did now.

Thanks, I had a Mirena for years. I’ve got to wait until Tuesday to see if I can get a GP appointment and see what my options are.

An update. I spoke to the doctor who said that my bleeding was not normal as it was so heavy. It was an adverse reaction to the HRT. There is supposed to be some bleeding if perimenopausal but not such heavy bleeding as I was experiencing. It is nothing untoward as had a scan a few weeks ago.

Following as this is happening to me too. Have been on HRT since July last year. Currently on Estradiol (3 pumps) and Utrogestan tablets (200mg) which I take continuously.

Have been bleeding everyday for over a month now.

Saw my GP who referred me to a gynae consultant as a precaution. Had a ultrasound scan last week and a biopsy of the endometrial wall which was found to be 15mm thick. Am currently waiting for the biopsy results. Trying not to worry.

Hope you get an appointment and everything is ok.

Me too, had some bleeding over the weekend. Last period over 2yrs ago, on continuous hrt for a year. The good news is that I was able to get an immediate callback from the GP and urgent referral this afternoon. Unfortunately I'll have to reschedule a flight to visit my mum for her birthday but I'm just glad it's underway.

Quick update, seeing as others are going through the same. I had my hysteroscopy a week ago. There was a "flat" polyp which was removed and I was told that this was probably the reason the lining looked thickened (9mm) on the scan. Otherwise, the lining apparently looked normal, although I am still waiting for the biopsy results.

I also had a mirena fitted at the time. I don't know whether it is because of the polyp removal, the biopsies or the mirena, but I am still bleeding (not heavily) and intermittently feeling period type cramps.

Hi I’m new to this site so not sure how it works but I have the same history as you in September and all was fine until this week then stated to bleed with period like pains. I have been on Klinovase for several years no problems until they changed me to patches Evorie Conti which I been on for over 6months I enjoy the other benefits of HRT but not sure where to go from here

To update if anyone is reading I had the same symptoms again last November, 16 months after the first issue. Not to scaremonger but this time it was early stage endometrial cancerous cells. I had a hysterectomy last week and they are hopeful that this has removed the problem. Anyone with odd symptoms please do get checked out.

Just to up date I spoke to my Doctor she is switching me back to Klovance tablets which is a low dose HRT tablet and booking me back to the cancer screening again (which was clear in October )first to check they didnt miss anything ! in the mean time I have cut my next patch in half to reduce the hormone dose in the hope that the bleeding stops which is my idea hope it works