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[OneStepForward]

Hello

Hoping I can glean advice and information from those more experienced.
I'm 56 late into menopause only about a year ago, I started HRT for brain fog, I didn't have sweats, dryness or low libido, in fact the opposite, but have severe depression and periods of anxiety. I also have autoimmune hypothyroidism which I know shares a lot of symptoms with menopause issues, difficult to know which is causing each problem.

I've suffered with acne since teens and on androgen suppressing combined pill most of my adult life to control it, everything went downhill after age 50 when I couldn't have it anymore.

I started Evorel Sequi about a year ago, then Evorel Conti in November 2018 after a year without any bleeds, but I started getting bleeds from December, but big problem is awful PMS type mood swings, sensitivity caused break up of recent relationship I just realised that each time I bled a day or two later so thinking it's very PMS like :-( I also have an awful acne flare up (even had 8 months Roaccutane treatment in 2015 to clear my acne) .  I have gone onto Citalopram SSRI to cope.

I've just had two bleeds only two weeks apart, each  preceded by emotional outbursts which have lost me a lovely BF! I Saw a GP today, he just said stop using the HRT patches and if bleeding doesn't stop they'll do a scan. I need treatment for my hormone fluctuations not just anti depressants, I tried phoning Prof Studd but there's no answer, does anyone know if they close Mondays, and how long a wait is likely if I can get an appointment, are there any other recommended specialists worth trying (I know they all have mixed reviews.

Any info' gratefully received

[CLKD]

Maybe the need to stop HRT is prior to a scan?  Hopefully someone will be along with advice.

Dr Louise Newson [?] is a good recommendation too.

[Hurdity]

Hi OneStepForward

  and sorry to hear about your bleeding problems.

Had your periods stopped for one year before starting HRT or were they just few and far between hence starting on Evorel sequi rather than conti?

It is normal to bleed for the first 6 months on continuous combined HRT and investigations are not usually carried out until after the 6 months have elapsed - but in your situation I can see the doc is suggesting stopping to see if it is the HRT causing the irregular bleeding. The guidance for referral probably do not allow for sending you for investigation so soon after starting continuous combined HRT

However because of your late menopause and the bleeds I think in your position I would be asking for investigation anyway - it could be that you have fibroids or polyps causing the bleeding or maybe your womb lining built up while taking the Evorel sequi if your own cycle was coming into play or partly? Maybe you are not fully post-menopausal?

Some women never settle on continuous combined HRT (in terms of bleeding) even if there are no underlying problems and opt to continue with a cycle - but you want to find out that all is OK first I would say? Did you also have problems on the sequi HRT or did you bleed at the "right" time?

You should not need to consult a private specialist as any investigations can be carried out on NHS and different HRT types and regimes are all available at the cost of a prescription ( well cost x 2 anyway!). Prof Studd is also fiendishly expensive including the various tests - so I understand....

Hurdity x