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[lillith112]

As title says, I'm 52, I came off HRT a year ago due to needing blood tests for a pituitary tumour. Being on HRT elevated my prolactin levels. I've found being off it absolutely fine, no real symptoms, I do still use vagifem now and again.
My real issue is my natural bleed is so heavy every month I'm soaking through pads, clothing, bedding etc. Is there anything that can be done to stop this as I've a feeling my iron (ferritin) level is creeping down again 😞 as having anxiety and nervous symptoms like I did when iron was low previously.

[bombsh3ll]

There are multiple options which should have been offered to you by your medical team.

I am assuming you either can't or don't want to resume estrogen but all of these can be used alongside estrogen if required.

1/. Taking a daily double dose of the progestin only pill desogestrel ie two 75mcg tablets. Some people respond to a single daily dose but this isn't universally effective and takes longer to work. The single dose also isn't acceptable for endometrial protection if you do decide to take estrogen. This can be bought without a prescription but you may have to say it is for contraception. Your GP should be able to prescribe it for menstrual suppression.

2/. Medroxyprogesterone acetate 10mg daily.

3/. Mirena IUS good option but invasive and can take a few months to work.

4. Endometrial ablation - works immediately, no hormones involved. Invasive, may have a long wait.

There is also tranexamic acid which you can get from your GP however this doesn't stop periods it just tries to lessen the flow once it has started.

Don't continue to suffer with this, it is so easily treatable.

[Kathleen]

Hello lillith112.

When I was in my late forties my periods became much heavier than usual. I wasn't concerned but when I had two heavy periods in one month I went to my doctor and was prescribed tranexamic acid for two weeks of the month. This didn't have much effect so I was later told to take it for three weeks instead. This helped a little and I was referred for a scan which showed a small fibroid. It was decided that I was likely close to the menopause so no further action was suggested  as far as I can recall.
It turned out that I wasn't so close to menopause after all and I continued to have periods until I was fifty four.  Over time I started HRT and the fibroid disappeared of its own accord.
I wonder if your situation is similar and you may be offered similar treatments?

I was also found to be low on iron and was prescribed iron tablets. Since that time I have had bleeding episodes on HRT so now I often use Spatone Iron Water sachets as they are easy on the stomach. This was recommended to me by a doctor at an iron clinic and he added that it was best to use the sachets every other day as this increases absorption.

I hope all this helps you and take care.

K.

[bombsh3ll]

I just wanted to add that micronised progesterone can also be used to lighten bleeding with varying success however this lacks the potency to shut you down completely so there would likely still be some bleeding.

This is a mid-way option for those who don't mind some bleeding and are keen on body identical hormones.

My preference would be the synthetics though as they are much more effective and usually achieve complete amenorrhea.

[GraceM]

I opted for the mirena.  While I still get periods they are nothing like the heavy bleeding I suffered previously.  While waiting on the appointment to get the mirena (along with a hysteroscopy and polyp removal) I was prescribed tranexemic acid tablets - cyklokapron.  They worked to lighted the bleed a bit.