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[HendersonS]

Hi, haven't been on here for a few years as been feeling great on Oestrogel and Utrogestan. My cycle is usually like clock work, 2 weeks of Oestrogel then introduce Utrogestan for two weeks. When I start the Oestrogel again I have a bleed. Feel great and as I say usually like clockwork HOWEVER today I have started bleeding a week early and at a loss as to why? The only thing I have done different is start exercising and change my diet to eating healthier lots of fruits and veg etc. Any ideas anyone? Might be a silly question but could my change in diet have increased my estrogen levels naturally and have made it more dominant over the progesterone? Any feedback would be welcomed x

[Hurdity]

Hi HendersonS

I'm wondering how far you are in menopause? I saw your first post and you reported that the doc said you were post-menopausal sometime ago but was this because you hadn't had a natural period for 12 months or more? My first thought is that if you are still peri-menopausal then your own hormones have decided to have a little party and override the HRT?

The other thing is - how long have you been on the Oestrogel and Utrogestan regime and how much Oestrogel do you use? If you have never had any early bleeds before it could be that your womb lining is building up slightly thicker than it should be and is coming away early. Another possibility is that if you are taking it orally then perhaps something affected your digestion during the first week or so which reduce the amount of progesterone being absorbed - the reduction in the amount getting through into your system could trigger an early bleed. Yet another possilibity is you could have a small fibroid or something like that which has grown in response to the oestrogen - and these can cause more bleeding than otherwise.

Your diet won't have affected your oestrogen levels. Not sure what effect exercise would have - except to be beneficial on your health generally .

If you have never experienced a change in your bleeding pattern and have been on this regime for some years then maybe visit the doc just to be on the safe side especially if the bleed is heavier than you would expect?

Hurdity x

[HendersonS]

Hi Hurdity

Thank you so much for your reply. I am about 5 years post menopause now after having blood tests at the age of 41 and my FHS levels coming back at 143. My GP actually said 'oh it looks like you're post menopause now' after telling me for 4 years that I was far too young for the symptoms I was suffering with to have been menopause related 
I therefore don't think I am peri-menopausal unless things can change?

I have taken HRT for 5 years but specifically Oestrogel and Utrogestan for about 3 years and take Utrogestan for 14 days and 2 squirts of the Oestrogel throughout the month, the lowest dose I believe. I've never had an early bleed before and it just appears to be like a normal period strangely. I do take the Utrogestan orally so maybe something has happened as you suggest.

I'll see how things go and if this disappears in a few days as usual will just review things next month. If not, I'll definitely pop along to the docs for a quick check up.

Thank you for taking the time to reply to me xx

[Hurdity]

Hi again

FSH tests are unreliable indicators of menopause and it is your menstrual cycle that is more accurate in determining your menopausal status. If you have gone without a natural period for 12 months you are deemed post-menopause although if you are under 50 I think and especially if under 40 (ie with POI) it is recognised that there can sometimes be spontaneous resumption of ovarian activity after this age.

As you were only 41 at the time it's good that the doctor carried out blood tests - but you may not have been actually menopausal - unless your periods (or lack of them) confirmed this. If you were skipping periods in the time leading up to age 41 when you had the blood tests - then of course you were peri-menopausal!

From the timings and your age then it is probably likely that you are post-menopausal if your periods were few and far between when you had the blood tests done at age 41 - but you can never say never. However, good to remain vigilant and hope it all resolves happily without any intervention needed

Hurdity x