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[saffy123]

saffy123 - If you are getting regular bleeds this would indicate to me that you are producing good hormones yourself and in fact you might be over dosing on oestrogen by adding in the oestrogel.  Alternatively, your womb lining is building up so much it is shedding because it isn't getting a proper 'flush out' following a progesterone phase ( e.g. 12 days of Utrogestan) .  Either way, I'd possibly consider having a complete break from HRT to see what is going on with your cycle and really be able to judge whether you are needing HRT hormones right now.
I have forgotten what meno symptoms you are trying to control? DG x

Hi Dancinggirl and thank you, I'm not that straight forward as my cycles were always long prior to peri symptoms ie 45 - 55 days. So although 26-35 day cycles seem normal for most that isn't the case for me.....not sure how that effects this whole HRT thing. The main symptoms I'm trying to control are PMT, very bad Bladder issues (also using estring), aches and anxiety.

If I had sufficient oestrogen myself I surely wouldn't have month long period pain?? When I first started using the estrogel this symptom totally went....Yes may be a total break would be sensible, however I kinda feel that I am having a break as the estrogel is doing so little. My thought right now is perhaps my progesterone is too high, may be its increased because I have added so much oestrogen?? xx

[Dancinggirl]

saffy123 - you can't know whether the Oestrogel is working if you haven't had a blood test done to look at what your oestrogen levels are - you may find your oestrogen levels are good.  If you were getting flushes and sweats then you would be able to tell if the gel was working or not - if the gel wasn't absorbing then you would still have flushes - but if you trying to control PMT then this will not depend on oestrogen levels specifically but on several factors.  PMT would be more related to progesterone I think however the added oestrogen wouldn't stimulate progesterone - if you aren't taking any progesterone then I'm baffled as to why you are getting regular bleeds!!! If your periods were always erratic and you are still just getting erratic bleeding then this could be down to your womb lining building up and simply breaking away at odd times - this isn't good as there could still be an abnormal thickness.  I assume you are under the supervision of a specialist gynae? I do think you need to discuss you options with them as all this oestrogen without real benefits may not be the best way forward.
In my experience too high amount of oestrogen in the peri stage can make things worse.  In my peri stage, from the age of 36 to my early 40s, I found that one pump of gel per day kept all symptoms under control - I only increased at the age of 44 because my body needed more oestrogen by that stage. 
I do think you need a reassessment - all this chopping and changing won't be good. DG x

[saffy123]

saffy123 - you can't know whether the Oestrogel is working if you haven't had a blood test done to look at what your oestrogen levels are - you may find your oestrogen levels are good.  If you were getting flushes and sweats then you would be able to tell if the gel was working or not - if the gel wasn't absorbing then you would still have flushes - but if you trying to control PMT then this will not depend on oestrogen levels specifically but on several factors.  PMT would be more related to progesterone I think however the added oestrogen wouldn't stimulate progesterone - if you aren't taking any progesterone then I'm baffled as to why you are getting regular bleeds!!! If your periods were always erratic and you are still just getting erratic bleeding then this could be down to your womb lining building up and simply breaking away at odd times - this isn't good as there could still be an abnormal thickness.  I assume you are under the supervision of a specialist gynae? I do think you need to discuss you options with them as all this oestrogen without real benefits may not be the best way forward.
In my experience too high amount of oestrogen in the peri stage can make things worse.  In my peri stage, from the age of 36 to my early 40s, I found that one pump of gel per day kept all symptoms under control - I only increased at the age of 44 because my body needed more oestrogen by that stage. 
I do think you need a reassessment - all this chopping and changing won't be good. DG x

Hi dancinggirl Yes I am under a menopause specialist...but I'm just waiting to see her on the NHS, was seeing her privately, but just haven't the money at the moment. She has already said I am not a straight forward case as one of my first symptoms was VA and bladder issues, apparently not normally seen until later in the whole peri journey. Her thoughts are that my ovaries have never really worked well hence the 45 - 55 day cycles....she was baffled thou how I managed to have kiddies with no problems!
Re progesterone...she was happy for me not to add any providing I had a bleed at least every 3 months.

I am amazed that all your symptoms were kept in check just using 1 pump of gel, goodness maybe I am a freak. I am going to start saving my pennies as I don't think I will ever get my nhs appointment....been waiting months already. Thank you for your thoughts, I will question the womb lining when I see her....goodness I hope it isn't abnormally thick. Will get those bloods looked at as well xx