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[MelF]

Hi, I'm Mel. Until recently I'd not really had any menstrual probs, then went 6+ months with no period. Started getting crawly skin and night sweats, no interest in sex and then teary for no reason.  Then had another period and it didn't really stop for 6 wks.  Had my mirena coil out last month as I'd had it in 7 yrs (I'm 49) and started hrt (femoston 1/10) for symptoms.  Couldn't face having another one fitted as second time it hurt like hell.   Since then things have gone totally haywire!  Dreadful flooding and continuous bleeding, I am going through a pack of super plus nighttime pads in a day.  So went back to GP today who has given me 10 days or norethisterone 3 times a day.  Just hoping things settle down as I don't feel I can cope with much more.  Not sure what will happen at the end of the10 days... But really nice to know I am not on my own.  Found the sites and posts really helpful, thanks everyone for sharing.

[Taz2]

Hi Mel - just wanted to say 

You will get lots of help and advice on here. I don't have any experience of the HRT you are using but someone will be along soon who can give you their experiences and advice I'm sure.

Taz x 

[Dorothy]

So sorry you are having such a rough time at the moment.  Hope things settle down quickly.

[MelF]

Thanks for the welcome.  It's amazing how many things seem to be caused by or related to the menopause - dry mouth and eyes, headaches, trembles, unsteady going down stairs, moods etc etc etc!  Will persevere with the hrt as it's only my second month. 

I was waking up with a headache every morning and it had been going on for months.  From the first day on the hrt my morning headache disappeared, such relief! 

No bleeding today either so the extra tablets are clearly working. Really worried as to what will happen in 10 days when they finish.  Anyone had experience of taking norethisterone?  Wondered if the dreadful bleeding is linked to the hrt as I'm only on a low dose so not sure if i need a higher dose, or if that would make it worse?

Thanx everyone for replying.

[Taz2]

Are you on the oestrogen only part of your HRT at the moment or the second half containing the progesterone? It can take up to three months for your body to get used to using HRT so don't despair yet. I'm sure you will get lots more replies to your query once everyone logs on this morning.

Taz x 

[dazned]

Hi sorry you are feeling bad at the moment .

I have just had to take norethisterone for 10 days to clear out the lining after stopping them for about 4/5days had a bleed. Mine wasn't heavy as there wasn't much build up there,yours could be different ,but if it is heavy at least it should give you a fresh place to start so to speak.
Hope you get settled on your hrt soon x

[MelF]

Thanks Taz2, yes I'm on the oestrogen part (white tablets atm). Things weren't so bad on the grey tablets.  I think my GP feels responsible as she insisted I had my mirena out.  I had such a bad experience having the last one fitted I just can't face having another.  One of the reasons I had it was because of heavy bleeding - but I've never experienced anything like this! 

Dazned - that sounds hopeful, the Dr talked about 'rebooting' everything so with any luck it will calm it all down.  My other symptoms aren't too bad but all the flooding and bleeding for so many weeks has got me down, so it's hard to tell what is menopausal moodiness and what's just plain fed up lol! 

Does anyone know if it's caused by the dose Im on?  My Gp didn't realy explain that part.
Mel x

[dazned]

Hi Melf,not sure what might happen in your case after finishing norethisterone ,but don't be alarmed if it is a heavy bleed, my specialist put me on it to,as he put it ..have a spring clean ...

Maybe because you have been bleeding heavy there won't be much but you never know,think the idea is as he explained it is to strip it all back ,start a fresh. Hope you feel a bit more reassured .x

[Millykin]

Good way of explaining Dazned "spring clean" 
Once the bleeding settles and a few months on your HRT, you will start to feel better. X

[Hurdity]

Hi MelF

  from me too.

Mirena coil as you know works by giving progestogen continuously, directly to the uterus, with minimal systemic absoprtion (ie into the rest of your  body).

Also in peri-menopause there is often heavy bleeding - do read this article on this website which explains everything:
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/article-perils-of-the-perimenopause.php

Also other info about bleeding starting here and then go back to the other sub tabs:
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/heavyperiods.php
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/periodtreatments.php

There are other causes of heavy bleeding eg fibroids etc but I presume your doc has thought about these? Whatever the underlying cuase of your heavy bleeding - the fact that you had had your Mirena in for 7 years meant that the progestgoen had run out so there was nothing preventing the bleeding.

As the others have said - norethisterone works by "stripping the lining", and should ensure that the withdrawal bleed (which will occur after you stop taking it) is complete. In your case the lining may have built up as part of anovulatory cycles ( where you don't ovulate - this is explained in the article) and got too thick - but that is only one reason.

If the norethisterone strips the lining and there is no other problem then you should just experience a normal withdrawal bleed each month on the Femoston. It's not a high dose so the bleed should not be large - but the size of the bleed partly depends on your own cycle too, and whether there is something else going on.

Oh dear  - I hope that wasn't too long-wnded and confusing!!!

Hurdity x

[CLKD]

   clear as mud  but good advice 

   from me too, you are no longer alone!  Do you feel that your GP is supportive?

[MelF]

Wow, blilliant explanations everyone!  Tha Hurdity, that really helped - I will read the articles too.  Got home tonight to find an appt for a pelvic scan so I assume my doc is just checking all is well and no other underlying causes such as fibroids. 

So good to know I can ask all the questions I didn't get chance to, or didn't think of in time. 
Mel