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[Mintea]

Does anyone have any advice re bleeding? I've been bleeding for 3 days now after 3 weeks on hrt (1 pump of oestrogel and 100mg utrogestan a day). Its not really something I want as have been without a period for 5/6 years.
Do I need to increase the oestrogel or decrease the utrogestan to deal with this?  Any advice would be appreciated.

[Katejo]

Does anyone have any advice re bleeding? I've been bleeding for 3 days now after 3 weeks on hrt (1 pump of oestrogel and 100mg utrogestan a day). Its not really something I want as have been without a period for 5/6 years.
Do I need to increase the oestrogel or decrease the utrogestan to deal with this?  Any advice would be appreciated.

I can't advise on your particular treatment because I have only used Evorel patches. I did start HRT after  5 years period free and I didn't get a bleed until I had been on patches for 3 months. Since then I have had a regular bleed each month (usually 1-3 days except the 1st one which was 7-8 days but may have been triggered/affected by a cystoscopy the same week). It has happened 4-5 times so far.

[Katejo]

Some bleeding is said to be quite likely for the first twelve months. I never had any success with the so called 'no bleed' regimes (tried both tablet form in the early days, gel and Utrogestan more recently). I guess its down to your tolerance of the nuisance factor whether you decide to continue. If it goes on for longer than the 12 months I understand it should be investigated.

I am having to have it investigated at 6-7 months. I'd rather wait to about 10 months.

[bloomsbury]

Hello Mintea,
Low dose oestrogen and continuous utrogestan can cause spotting, and any HRT regime needs time to settle.
Where you on a different regime before this or are you new to HRT?
Bx

[Mintea]

Does anyone have any advice re bleeding? I've been bleeding for 3 days now after 3 weeks on hrt (1 pump of oestrogel and 100mg utrogestan a day). Its not really something I want as have been without a period for 5/6 years.
Do I need to increase the oestrogel or decrease the utrogestan to deal with this?  Any advice would be appreciated.

I can't advise on your particular treatment because I have only used Evorel patches. I did start HRT after  5 years period free and I didn't get a bleed until I had been on patches for 3 months. Since then I have had a regular bleed each month (usually 1-3 days except the 1st one which was 7-8 days but may have been triggered/affected by a cystoscopy the same week). It has happened 4-5 times so far.

Hi Katejo
Thanks for your reply. I was wondering if the dose of oestrogel was too low or not enough (or too much) progesterone. I had to borrow one of my daughters sanitary towels today which is something I didnt expect!. I've been thinking about changing to patches as the dose might be more consistent but hard to tell. With the gel it's hard to tell how much is absorbed but I suppose this would be the same with patches. How are you getting on with the patches and what strength are you on? Do you like them?

[Mintea]

Some bleeding is said to be quite likely for the first twelve months. I never had any success with the so called 'no bleed' regimes (tried both tablet form in the early days, gel and Utrogestan more recently). I guess its down to your tolerance of the nuisance factor whether you decide to continue. If it goes on for longer than the 12 months I understand it should be investigated.

Hi Stella
What did you end up taking after not having success with 'no bleed' regimes?
Mintea x

[Mintea]

Bleeding in the first month or two of a new HRT regime is very common. It's only been three days so I really wouldn't worry. If it continues for another week or so, visit your GP.

Thanks for your reassurance Birdy. I'm not too worried but wondered if I could stop the bleed  by increasing the oestrogel or decreasing the utrogestan. I'm not sure if this would make a difference or just to carry on as I have been.  Although,  I was using the utrogestan vaginally and have changed to orally now but would prefer to insert it as less side effects.
Mintea x
 

[Mintea]

Hello Mintea,
Low dose oestrogen and continuous utrogestan can cause spotting, and any HRT regime needs time to settle.
Where you on a different regime before this or are you new to HRT?
Bx

Hi B
I'm new to HRT and had no idea there was so much to it!!
Mintea x

[Katejo]

Does anyone have any advice re bleeding? I've been bleeding for 3 days now after 3 weeks on hrt (1 pump of oestrogel and 100mg utrogestan a day). Its not really something I want as have been without a period for 5/6 years.
Do I need to increase the oestrogel or decrease the utrogestan to deal with this?  Any advice would be appreciated.

I can't advise on your particular treatment because I have only used Evorel patches. I did start HRT after  5 years period free and I didn't get a bleed until I had been on patches for 3 months. Since then I have had a regular bleed each month (usually 1-3 days except the 1st one which was 7-8 days but may have been triggered/affected by a cystoscopy the same week). It has happened 4-5 times so far.

Hi Katejo
Thanks for your reply. I was wondering if the dose of oestrogel was too low or not enough (or too much) progesterone. I had to borrow one of my daughters sanitary towels today which is something I didnt expect!. I've been thinking about changing to patches as the dose might be more consistent but hard to tell. With the gel it's hard to tell how much is absorbed but I suppose this would be the same with patches. How are you getting on with the patches and what strength are you on? Do you like them?

   I don't know because I have only taken them as patches and Evorel Conti only comes in 1 dose (no variation). I like them apart from the bleeding which I hope will stop. It does feel strange buying pads/tampons again after so long! i had to get some today. The patches help my VA and possibly also my joints/muscle ache. I am also using them to prevent osteoporosis as I had mild osteopenia at my last scan.

[Mintea]

I'm taking it for similar reasons to you but also hoping they might help with depression Katejo.

[pricey]

Hi Mintea,

I'm having the same issue but have been spotting for a month now. I was on Oestrogel 2 pumps, Utrogestan 200mg for  12 days. I tried dropping this to 100mg with a view to doing a continuous regime but I'm still bleeding. I don't need this at 55 and with all sorts going on at work. I feel like going cold turkey and seeing what happens! I'm really down about it x

[Mintea]

Hi Mintea,

I'm having the same issue but have been spotting for a month now. I was on Oestrogel 2 pumps, itrogestan 200mg for  12 days. I tried dropping this to 100mg with a view to doing a continuous regime but I'm still bleeding. I don't need this at 55 and with all sorts going on at work. I feel like going cold turkey and seeing what happens! I'm really down about it x

I've only just seen your post Pricey so sorry for the late response. Did you start hrt a month ago or have you been on it for a while? How is your bleeding now? My bleeding is very heavy but apparently quite usual when starting hrt. I cant believe the rate I'm getting through sanitary towels! I couldn't cope with work as would be in the toilet all the time. Luckily I dont work at the moment as look after husband. I am going to continue with the hrt until I can speak to GP (at least that's the current plan). I dont want to have to go for investigations as already have to keep going to the hospital with husbands condition and could do without the extra stress. It is quite a drive to the hospital and parking is dreadful!
I suppose in your case it would depend how much of an inconvenience the bleeding was whether to go cold turkey or not. It might be worth putting up with it if you can keep your mind on the potential future benefits. From what I've read bleeding is really common on the conti regime for the first few months which is contrary to what you would expect. I think you have to be on it for a while before it settles though I am sure every one is different in their response.
Do you have a helpful GP you could talk to?
I think it's really difficult to get good advice when we have problems with hrt and that is why so many use this forum.
I hope you are feeling a bit better now and let me know how you get on.
Mintea x


 

[pricey]

Hi Mintea,

I'm sorry you're going through the mill too. I have been on various forms of HRT for about 4 years.  The only one that controlled my cycle was Elleste Duet, but it gave me horrendous headaches. Since then, I have felt best on Femoston and more recently Oestrogel, both of which control my menopause symptoms but not my bleeding. As I am constantly battling anaemia and work full time in a challenging role, this is getting on top of me.  I decided to stop the utrogestan to induce a proper bleed, rather than the constant spotting, with a view to going back on to a sequi regime and perhaps weaning off. This has indeed induced a full on bleed  I am so sick of it! I have also, rightly or wrongly, reduced my Oestrogel to one and a half pumps to see how I go. I wonder if the spotting is due to my levels being too high as I'm quite small and also eat a plant based diet so lots of soy etc. Who knows??? (And yes,  I take iron supplements). Let me know how you get on. Here, if you need a shoulder. 
X

[Mintea]

Hi Pricey
You've certainly given hrt a good try. It seems for some people it can take ages to get right. I've only just started but am encountering problems.
I used to have  a very stressful challenging job so know what that's like. I found it very difficult with what I think, looking back, were menopause symptoms but didnt realise at the time but they were one of the reasons I gave it up. I felt exhausted, unable to concentrate  brain fog and depressed and anxious.

I'm not sure if bleeding symptoms now are due to levels being too high or too low. I've researched it a bit but cant find any specific guidance on this. Others on this forum may know more though.

Have you had any input from GP or further investigations done? What menopause symptoms were you having?

Mintea x

[Gracie65]

Hi Mintea,

I am taking Estrogel 4 pumps daily and 100mg utrogestan continuously.  I have been on this regime for just over a year, I started on 2 pumps of the gel but my oestrogen levels were too low so had to up the dose. I still have bleeding approx every 3/4 weeks for a couple of days. I had a scan to check my endometrium in June and my lining was fine. My menopause GP wanted me to try mirena coil but I don't fancy that option.  It's so strange because I always had very light periods so thought I would be fine.
Grace x