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[Nairn]

Hi

Any anyone else suffered constant bleeding, tiredness and severe water retention/bloating on Kilofem? I'm at my wits end after changing  nearly 3 months ago,  however due to HRT shortages there does not seem to be many options now I've been moved to continuous due to thickened endometrial lining.  I decided to stop on Sunday and now I'm having the period from hell.  Be really grateful for any advice please as it's really getting me down.  Up until recently I was happily on Femonston 2/10 - nightmare since changing.  I'm 52.

[Hurdity]

Hi Nairn

I have never used tablet HRT but if you were happy on Fem 2/10 can you go back to it and temporarily take extra progestogen to thin the lining?

The reason you are having the period from hell could well be that the progestogen in the Kliofem is now working to thin the lining but really a cyclical HRT would be better placed to do this in the first instance I would have thought because then the lining would come away more predictably?

Could you say where you are in menopause and the circumstances that led to you being investigated for a thickened lining? Do you know what the measurement was and when in your cycle it was measured? The time to measure the endometrium on cyclical HRT is immediately following the bleed, when it is at its thinnest. Maybe you had spotting or bleeding outside the expected time?

If you are still peri-menopausal then you may well bleed at unpredictable times even on conti HRT.

The tiredness and bloating could be a side effect of this particular progestogen. If it is not suiting you after 3 months then you've given it a good try and maybe time to try a different one. As long as your endometrium is kept within normal limits then no reason not to continue  with cyclical HRT if you are sensitive to some progestogens. However perhaps some other issue eg fibroids has also led to your being recommended to take continuous combined?

Hurdity x

[Nairn]

Hi Hurdity

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply - its really getting me down.  Today I feel like I have been hit by a truck as I am exhausted, but that might be coming off the kilofem.  I am sensitive to progesterone, and the Femonsten 2/10 was the only one that suited me - however when they tried to move me to the Femonsten Conti, my skin became so dry inside and out it was super painful, and even topical estrogen could not help.  That's the only good thing about the Kilofem is that its been really great for the dryness side.

My lining issues were spotted when I went for an ultrasound after a nasty upper UTI at the start on 2019, and then I was referred to a gyno.  My lining was originally 6mm when 1st spotted but then within a few months had increased to 10mm , and they did a biopsy which thankfully proved negative, but the consultant then said I should be switched to continuous given my age and lining issues, and I've been struggling ever since, so they have re-referred me to gyno but the waiting list is huge and my private healthcare wont cover meno issues.  I've never had children as I suffered from 2 bad episodes of PID (after coil insertions) which meant that it was not possible.

I started peri when I was 45, and now 52 - but as I have been on HRT since 45 then its a bit of a guessing game as to what stage I'm at.  I'm at my GP tomorrow and she is very good, but I think she will want the expert's opinion and so I'm back to waiting.  Given the shortages of HRT then I think its tricky for the GP to be able to prescribe.  I have also asked to be referred to an endocrinologist as the way I am feeling it feels like there is an underlying issue, but currently all thyroid/blood tests are normal if low.  I have a really demanding job, and mostly male colleagues so its not a great combination with all of the symptoms! 

Thanks again for sharing your wisdom - very much appreciated xx

[Hurdity]

Hi there - Femoston conti is half the oestrogen dose of 2/10 and Kliofem. Some women need continued use of local oestrogen in addition to full HRT so i would pursue this also if you are not currently using it. Did your lining thicken on the conti HRT or the cyclical? If the latter which stage of the cycle were the lining measurements taken? If it thickened on the conti then cyclical would be preferable? You could always ask for them (docs) to monitor your womb lining if you are not happy with progestogen every day? What thyroid result is low? Let us know how you get on at docs. Remember no need to stick with this product if not suiting you! Good luck.

Hurdity x

[Nairn]

Thanks again Hurdity.  It thickened on the Femosten 2/10, but have not had it measured on the Kilofem.  My GP is very good and she has both referred me to a specialist meno consultant and also to an specialised endocrinologist as my Thyroid T4 whilst within range, is low, so she wants to look at the whole picture., and either get to the bottom of the problems or rule various things out - especially the dry skin (inside and out) which is really painful.   The only issue is that HRT interferes with hormones levels and affects the blood tests, so I need to come off HRT (OMG) for 6 weeks, have the endro tests and by then I should also have had the meno consultant.  So cold turkey has started -quite concerned but also keen to try and resolve or rule out a few issues  - might also tell me if I'm peri, meno or post as with HRT since 46 I have no idea! Thanks again for your support xx

Ps if anyone has any suggestions for tackling v/dryness without HRT whilst I am in this phase then very grateful.  So far I'm trying Yes OB and sea buckthorn capsules