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[DawgandBoo]

hello, I am new to this site, so apologies for all the questions.

I am 48 and thought my periods had stopped but heavy periods have returned after 8 months of no bleed.  I also seem to have PMS symptoms to accompany returned periods.

I did have an ultrasound last June to check everything OK as I was experiencing some abdominal pain but got the all clear but was told that no evidence of any eggs and with no period assumed I was now in menopause.

I have been using Estrogel (1 x pump a day) and progesterone cream, as Utrogestan does not agree with me (very low mood and bloating when I take this pill).  So my questions
1. Does anyone just use Estrogel only in low dose because they are progesterone intolerant?  Is a very low dose of Estrogel OK to use?  I know GP prescribes progesterone also, but when I stopped progesterone I felt so much better.  I have very mild peri-menopause / menopause symptoms, some brain fog and restless legs

2. Has anyone else had periods return after months without anything and if yes are you continuing with HRT?

The Estrogel seems to help with brain fog and restless legs at night but now I am concerned about contraception, as possibly still ovulating? 

3. Can anyone advise best tests to check that this is the case.

Many thanks 

[CLKD]

Hi.  The Change - does what it says on the tin.  We assume that we are through peri-menopause after about 12-14 months when we haven't had a period.  However, Nature being what She is, often throws more bleeds so we have to begin counting again.

Heavy bleeds are common during peri, if they continue for more than 14 days your GP is able to prescribe medication to ease the loss. 

1 needs progesterone if one still has a womb, some ladies use a long cycle under the supervision of a menopause specialist.  Not a gynae ;-).

My restless legs were cured by eating small bananas daily. Lack of potassium.  Some find magnesium spray helpful. 

Brain fog is common, we have a thread : doing stupid things : you'll fit right in ;-).  Do look out for that strange woman in my house thread .... covers most issues with humour.

[Taz2]

Hi DawgandBoo.
If you had had been less than twelve months without a period when starting HRT then you were still in peri menopause and should have been prescribed an HRT which would induce a monthly bleed. This is necessary to protect the lining of the womb from developing cancer. Are you using both progesterone and oestrogen on a cyclical basis? Half the month using oestrogen only and the second half using both the oestrogen and progesterone?

I don't think there is a way of finding out if you are still ovulating but as you hadn't gone the year without periods (and for contraception purposes it's two years without natural periods if you are under 50) then I think you should definitely use contraception.

Taz x 

[DawgandBoo]

Thank you, it's all so confusing isn't it?!  I have actually stopped HRT for now, as I really hated side effects from Utrogestan and have tried to have coil fitted twice painfully but doctor could not fit it.  So for now working out what is best.  I have massively changed my diet so could be why periods have returned, as this is not break through bleed as not on HRT or any contraception. Time to see a specialist I think. The brain fog seems to be worse symptom (I do feel lucky atm not so have any other symptoms).  Any one have any natural remedy tips to help while I wait to see a dr.  Thanks so much

[Taz2]

Yes it is confusing, frustrating and annoying during peri when periods stop and then start again. It is normal for your cycle to become shorter or longer, lighter or heavier during this time. Twice I got to nine months without a period before they began again.  It is also common for meno symptoms such as hot flushes to suddenly disappear so that you can feel that the whole thing is over  only for a period to arrive and you have to start counting the months again! Is your cycle regular again?

What are the meno symptoms that drew you to try HRT?

Taz x