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[pricey]

So, as expected, if I'm honest, I have started a bleed. I am towards the end of my first month and tomorrow would have been day one of my bleed on Elleste duet. I know breakthrough bleeding is common and I did have a week of swapping and changing HRT before the doctor switched me to this one. It remains to be seen what the bleeding is like because for me the lighter bleeds and the predictability of them was a huge bonus on Elleste.
The terribly sore breasts I have had since starting  on the Femoston have been slightly better the last two days.  I wonder if the bleeding now has something to do with that. Other than that and the tiny bit of water weight I seem to have gained since starting Femoston, I have felt better in myself:  whether it's a coincidence or it is related to a change in the progesterone I don't know, but I have had virtually no headaches and the gnawing pain at the top of my cervical spine which the doctor said was age related wear and tear has miraculously disappeared.

So the patten the bleeding takes is going to be a clincher. Having battled severe anaemia in recent years which the Elleste helped me to overcome,  I hope the bleeds on Femoston settle down. I am willing to wait out 3-6 months to see what happens unless the bleeding becomes unmanageable.  And if that is the case, if Femoston suits me otherwise, I guess a cyclical version would be an option?

Any support/thoughts appreciated as always.  x

[Dancinggirl]

pricey - if you didn't get some break through erratic bleeding in the first few weeks or months on any conti HRT I would have been very surprised. It may take some time fro bleeding to calm down and hopefully it won't get heavy but it should settle gradually. If the bleeding is a problem, then moving a sequi version would be the answer.  Pleased you are feeling generally better - this would mean the progesterone is suiting you - Femoston is popular because it suits so many women very well.  DG x

[pricey]

Thank you DG.  I have waited to reply because I wanted to see how things panned out. The bleeding was lighter than my normal periods (although more than 'spotting'). After it stopped I had more energy and the very sore breasts I had had since starting Femoston also stopped. However 2 days ago (only 12 days after the last bleed) I started bleeding again. Again it's lighter than normal but it is accompanied by the severe headache I get at the start of a period.  I am prepared for the fact there will be erratic bleeding but am concerned I am not post menopausal as I had been on sequential hrt for two years prior to the change to Femoston. The GP wanted to try to eliminate a monthly bleed and the headaches I was having.  So far the lack of headaches when not bleeding on Femoston has been the only positive.  My husband is supportive and says give it the 3 months as it may well settle, but today I feel dismayed.  I am back to work tomorrow and will be working 7 days in a row. This would normally be the bleed free part of my cycle. I am scared I will continue to have erratic bleeding and the headaches associated with it and will be at risk of anaemia again. Part of me wishes I had stuck to the Elleste Duet. At least I knew where I was. The other part of me says ride the storm. If I didn't have to work that would be easier. Should I stick with this longer (it may never settle if I'm not post menopausal, although I will be 53 next month) or should I switch back to Elleste Duet (I have 2 months supply left)?

Thanks for listening x

[Dancinggirl]

It is very difficult to advise you really as it is early days for you with this conti HRT. Hormonal headaches are common with any HRT and in my experience if you are prone to this type of headache then they happen on any HRT. I have been off HRT now for 18 months and I'm still getting the headaches!!!!
You shouldn't become anemic if the bleeding is light and I assume you are being careful to eat well and supplement with iron, folic acid and B vitamins just in case ?
As I said before, this slight bleeding and spotting is likely to continue for some weeks or even months but I would certainly give this HRT at least 3 months to settle.
You may still be peri meno as the peri phase can go on for several years so unless you came off HRT for a few weeks then had a blood test to show your hormone levels, it is difficult to know. However, even on HRT a blood test could show an oestrogen level that might indicate what's going on - there should be a level consistent with the amount of HRT you are using.
I'm afraid you may be like me and now be a bit more prone to headaches whether On HRT or not. While I was on HRT they were at least predictable but I had hoped my headaches would be better off HRT but I still suffer.
Unless the bleeding becomes heavy I would keep going and see if things settle more over the next few weeks. Try not to worry - what you are experiencing is normal and should settle - in 6-8 weeks you may be feeling good most of the time. No HRT will be completely problem free. DG x

[pricey]

Thank you DG. I will persevere. I suppose I'm worried it doesn't have a hope of settling if I'm not post meno. But then I am 2 weeks off 53 and haven't had a natural period fir 2 years, so I understand why my GP wanted to try a conti regime. My bleeds were lighter than normal on Elleste Duet 1mg and totally predictable, suggestive of a withdrawal bleed..
I will stick it the 3 months and review.

Thanks again xx

[pricey]

Almost 6 days later I am still bleeding. No sign of stopping. Not heavy but steady and consistent with cramps. My bleeds on Elleste duet were 4-5 days.  I also felt tearful and premenstrual this morning. I am willing to stick it out the 3 months in the hope it will settle but I remember the mini pill caused me to bleed to the point I had to come off it in my younger days.  Is Femoston Conti similar in make up? In which case maybe I should just finish this pack and switch back to Elleste.  A shame because headache wise I feel so much better

Any advice appreciated.

Happy New Year! x

[Dancinggirl]

I'm afraid the erratic bleeding could continue for a while - it's early days yet.  Many women find this initial stage with a conti HRT difficult to cope with - the body is adjusting I'm afraid. If you felt generally better on the sequential HRT then go back to it but it's probably worth sticking things out for 3-4 more weeks at least to see if it settles.
If you want to have an easier non bleed option, then have a Mirena fitted and use oestrogen as pills, gel or patch? This may also give a bit of bleeding at first but I found I had fewer side effects mood wise, less cramps and headaches when I had the Mirena.  DG x

[Michaelabrown]

I started femiston conti a month ago , I’ve had a bleed for about 5 days but now a week later  I’ve still such sore and tender breasts   Is this normal ?

[Jean007]

I have been put on femeston conti age 54 had only gone 4 months without periods prior. I have bleed every 3 weeks for past 6 months on this, only light but for 4 to 5 days, my other symptoms low mood, sweats at night and sleeping much improved, so going to stick it out another month but if I have another bleed may give it up, I have read up to 1 year is of no concern. I am only on low dose 0.25 .0.50