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[Drew26]

Hi,

I’ve been referred again for a 2 week gynaecology appt because of brown discharge.

I’m 57, post menopausal and on oestrogel - 2 pumps Utrogestan- 1 tablet per night,  Blissel gel x 2 doses per week and Testogel.

I was on Vagirux previously as a topical oestrogen and I thought this was causing the brown discharge and irritation , so the GP changed to Blissel 10days ago as it is more gentle.

I only had a hysteroscopy and trans vaginal scan last year in June, these were all normal.

But I’m once again experiencing brown discharge and some crampy type pains, so here I am again worried to death!

I’ve even considered stopping HRT all together but apart from this brown discharge I really feel HRT is beneficial in so many ways, so I’m also reluctant to come off it.

But I feel I have no peace of mind and I hate having all these investigations which make me so anxious.

I’m hoping that it is once again just down to my HRT as the tests a year ago were all ok. But the anxiety is just awful.

Xxx

[Dotty]

Hi have you tried increasing the Utrogestan to 2 per night ?

[Drew26]

Hi Dotty,

Thanks for your reply,
I haven’t tried this as none of the GP’s I’ve seen have suggested this at all, so I didn’t want to do this off my own back.

Perhaps I need to see a menopause specialist, who could advise better on dosage? Xxx

[shrosphirelass]

I'm sorry to hear you feel so anxious. I Know how you feel, this having happened to me on numerous occasions. It seems that many women experience bleeding / discharge whilst on HRT. Mine never really improved over several years so I have now had a mirena fitted which is ok at the moment, fingers crossed.

Try not to worry too much as this is really common. I think the language they use is scary but it's just a way of having a fast tracked appointment.

[Dotty]

https://thebms.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/01-BMS-GUIDELINE-Management-of-unscheduled-bleeding-HRT-MAY2024-G.pdf

Hi this is the up to date guidance on unscheduled bleeding.

[Drew26]

I'm sorry to hear you feel so anxious. I Know how you feel, this having happened to me on numerous occasions. It seems that many women experience bleeding / discharge whilst on HRT. Mine never really improved over several years so I have now had a mirena fitted which is ok at the moment, fingers crossed.

Try not to worry too much as this is really common. I think the language they use is scary but it's just a way of having a fast tracked appointment.

Thanks Shropshirelass for sharing your experience of this, and it’s good to hear that the Mirema coil has helped you. 😊

The anxiety is just the worst and I do think that the urgent referral is to try and give me peace of mind as much as anything, the language is very scary.

I’m trying hard not to let the worry take over xx

[Drew26]

https://thebms.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/01-BMS-GUIDELINE-Management-of-unscheduled-bleeding-HRT-MAY2024-G.pdf

Hi this is the up to date guidance on unscheduled bleeding.

Thanks Dotty. Helpful guidance from the BMS. Xx

[Drew26]

Thanks so much for the support, this forum is an absolute godsend. It helps to feel not so alone even though I have a wonderful husband & family, being able to find support on here is priceless. Xx

[SarahJayne]

Oh Drew26, I know how you feel…the anxiety is crippling.

I’m on my 3rd 2WW referral in 5 years. In part because for 3 years I’ve had 1 period per year which my GP treats as post menopausal. Just when I think I’ve reached post meno, I get a period (and it’s always just inside the 12 months), if I get to the end of this month without one, then bang, I’m post meno!

And now because an ultrasound showed up multicystic lesion - I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, I’m back on the 2WW. CA125 was 28.

I feel like a fraud.

I do think in some cases, because of waiting list times, more GP’s are taking the 2WW referral path quicker than they may have done previously rather than risk waiting for an urgent referral, which is about 12 months where I live.

I wish you all the best, fingers crossed!

[Drew26]

Hi SarahJayne,

The anxiety is all consuming whilst trying to work and be a wife, mother and grandmother!

I totally feel your pain and I do feel a bit of a fraud too, that it’s most likely down to my HRT (that’s what I’m telling myself).

The GP did say the best way to get seen soonest and to give me peace of mind quickly is a 2WW.

Thank you and I wish you all the very best too. Fingers crossed for us both. 
Xx

[Kathleen]

Hello Drew26.

I have had episodes of bleeding and spotting while on HRT. On the first occasion I was using patches and I had increased from 50 mg to 75 mg. I felt better emotionally on the higher dose but after a scan showed that everything was normal it was concluded that it was the HRT causing the problem and everything resolved when I lowered the patch dose to 50 mg.


 I have been using gel and tablet progesterone ever since however due to pink spotting  that had been going on for a long time I was once again sent for a scan. The result was fine and I was told to stay on the gel but increase the progesterone. This has certainly done the trick and the pink spotting has now stopped.

You may be asked to reduce your oestrogen or increase your progesterone, either of which may resolve the brown discharge that you are dealing with.

I know how worrying all this can be but I think it is quite a common occurrence when using HRT.

Take care.

K.

[Drew26]

Hi Kathleen,

Thanks so much for sharing your experience and your experience certainly mirrors mine.

I’ve got a hospital appt next week for another hysteroscopy- what joy! After the first hysteroscopy last year I wasn’t told to tweak my progesterone but after next week’s appointment I think I’ll be asking the question about this. Or ask to be referred to a menopause specialist if they can’t answer that.

It is worrying but hearing other people’s experiences definitely helps me to manage my worry, that it is most likely HRT related and a common occurrence. But I definitely want to avoid having to have any more invasive tests.

Thanks for your good wishes and you take care too

Xx