Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Peri2022]

Hello all, I’m 45, still having periods and been on HRT for 3 months: 37.5mcg Estradot patch every day, plus 200mg utrogestan vaginally for 2 weeks of the month. I continue to have very heavy, painful periods, as I have done for years. I also feel better on utro than off it - maybe no surprise as I was experiencing deep depression for the last week of my cycle prior to starting HRT.

My question is: can/should I go to a continuous regime of 100mg utrogestan daily even though I’m still in peri? Or at least do the 25 days on/3 days off regime? I’d like to minimise or stop my periods, and also even out my mental health. Surely taking a low dose of progesterone every day is no different to having a Mirena coil? There really is no physiological need to bleed every month as long as the uterine lining remains thin…right?

Would love to hear from any perimenopausal ladies who are on a continuous regime. How have you found it? What were you told about pros/cons? Thanks so much in advance, this forum is an absolute lifesaver.

[Bungo]

I'm peri and went straight into continuous hrt 8 months ago..I'm almost 53 so maybe that had a bearing as am late perimenopausal. Have had pretty regular ,albeit light periods for the first 8 months or so with very little spotting . The last month I've had 3 lightish periods in a month and more spotting. I had a few viruses in Dec/January so putting it down to that. It doesn't bother me as I only need to use pad occasionally as mainly notice spotting when wipe . I have fibroids so will be having a scan anyway next month to monitor.I'm a member of an Irish Facebook menopause group and other ladies there are on continuous even though peri.Afaik, the reason against is unpredictablity of bleeding. I had been on cerazette for years with no periods so it's strange getting used to them again. Louise Newson says after 6 months can go to continuous anyway.  Try to join the Facebook group even though you're in the UK. It's very active and great for information

[sheila99]

In your position I would try a mirena which in most cases will stop the bleeding altogether so may be a better solution. As your periods are still heavy I think you'll find a conti regime is insufficient to keep the lining thin and and you will (and need to) still bleed. 25/28 days is useful in late peri as it allows a bleed if there's been a build up but I think it's likely you will have too much build up for that too.

[Peri2022]

Thanks for your replies. Bungo, your Facebook group sounds good and I’ll check it out. I have had fibroids in the past but they weren’t there on my last scan.

Sheila, thanks for the advice re Mirena. Unfortunately I had a disastrous attempt at Mirena earlier this year. The GP had difficulties siting it which resulted in me passing out and bleeding all over the table. Not great! In hindsight, I’m kind of glad, as I’ve heard so many mixed reviews of Mirena and it was a last resort for me anyway.

I wouldn’t mind unpredictable bleeding as long as it’s relatively light. At the moment I’m totally incapacitated for 2 days each month as I have heavy flooding and the pain is unbelievable.

[Zoe]

Hi, sheila99 is right about the Mirena but, like you, I cannot have a Mirena (for various reasons) so have been on continuous utrogestan throughout perimenopause because, again like you, I really needed it.

It takes a while for the bleeding to calm down but there is also the option of taking 200mg every night orally or 100mg vaginally if your body tolerates it. My doctor said this would be absolutely fine if needed, though I haven't. I think the BMS also endorses this approach if you can find their guidance on progesterone online.

I take 100mg every night orally and still get the tiniest bit of spotting when a period would have been due. I am older than you so not sure if that also helps. It's worth a try.