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[Hannahlou]

I posted last week about not having a period for 9 weeks and then had spotting for 5 days. I’ve had 3 clear days with absolutely nothing and then yesterday the brown spotting started back up again. Does this all sound ok? Has anyone else experienced this? Making me a little anxious at the moment

[bombsh3ll]

Irregular bleeding and spotting is common in perimenopause.

Very few women who aren't on any treatment have regular periods right up to the end then just stop.

Hormones can fluctuate all over the place making the timing of bleeding as well as whether it is heavy or just spotting, very difficult to predict.

As long as your smear is up to date I would not worry about this, however if you want to get rid of it there are multiple treatment options that you could discuss with your GP.

[Hannahlou]

Irregular bleeding and spotting is common in perimenopause.

Very few women who aren't on any treatment have regular periods right up to the end then just stop.

Hormones can fluctuate all over the place making the timing of bleeding as well as whether it is heavy or just spotting, very difficult to predict.

As long as your smear is up to date I would not worry about this, however if you want to get rid of it there are multiple treatment options that you could discuss with your GP.

Thanks bombsh3ll. Smear is up to date. I’m 55 so on 5 yearly and next one is due next spring. I saw GP this morning and the only thing she suggested was to try HRT. I was hoping to avoid HRT if possible. She said it would regulate the bleeding and bring my hormones on a level instead of all over the place. I’m a bit anxious about this spotting on and off, but if it’s a normal thing to happen then that’s fine

[joziel]

Goodness, if you're not on HRT, I'd get on it ASAP. Not to regulate bleeding but whilst you are still in time to get all the health benefits. At the moment your estrogen receptors are still functioning fine and will be able to make use of HRT. If you wait longer, it will all be much less effective as a preventative health measure.

Why 'get by' without HRT? That's like someone who needs thyroid meds 'getting by' without taking any thyroid medication...

[Hannahlou]

Goodness, if you're not on HRT, I'd get on it ASAP. Not to regulate bleeding but whilst you are still in time to get all the health benefits. At the moment your estrogen receptors are still functioning fine and will be able to make use of HRT. If you wait longer, it will all be much less effective as a preventative health measure.

Why 'get by' without HRT? That's like someone who needs thyroid meds 'getting by' without taking any thyroid medication...

Thanks for the reply joziel.

I’m not on HRT because when I tried it a couple of years ago and had a bad reaction to it no matter which kind I tried. So gave up on it after that. So I had no choice but to make do for the time being. Not everyone can take it with no issues. The GP suggested another try if I want to and I’m thinking about it. Which is the reason for this post

[joziel]

What were the issues which you had with it? There can be lots of various things people struggle with but for 95% of people there is a path through it and a combination of dosage and products which works for them - but the problem is that you need an experienced doctor to be aware of all the options, or you need to educate yourself so you can ask for what you need. It might be worth asking here about the issues you experienced and how you might approach them...

[Hannahlou]

What were the issues which you had with it? There can be lots of various things people struggle with but for 95% of people there is a path through it and a combination of dosage and products which works for them - but the problem is that you need an experienced doctor to be aware of all the options, or you need to educate yourself so you can ask for what you need. It might be worth asking here about the issues you experienced and how you might approach them...

I had 10 day long migraines every month and a skin rash that came up like blisters. No matter what form of HRT I took. I’ve a very knowledgeable GP. She’s the practice menopause specialist

[joziel]

Gosh that sounds difficult. I also suffer from hormonal migraines, both when estrogen dips too low but also when it peaks at ovulation.

Most hormonal migraines are caused by changes in hormones rather than any particular levels. The best approach is to be consistent and take a stable dose for many months. Patches are usually better than gels for migraines, because they deliver a consistent dose throughout the day.

The rash sounds like a histamine reaction to starting estrogen. You might want to google histamine intolerance and Dr Tina Peers to see what she has to say about it and how to take HRT if you have histamine intolerance.

[GraceM]

Not everyone is suited to HRT.  Taking HRT won't necessarily regulate bleeding.  I've been on it over 2 years and even with the mirena coil I still get random spotting/bleeding.  You could request a scan to see if the womb lining is ok and if you are managing any other symptoms without HRT then you are doing pretty well and may not need it. 

[Hannahlou]

Not everyone is suited to HRT.  Taking HRT won't necessarily regulate bleeding.  I've been on it over 2 years and even with the mirena coil I still get random spotting/bleeding.  You could request a scan to see if the womb lining is ok and if you are managing any other symptoms without HRT then you are doing pretty well and may not need it.

Exactly. It doesn’t suit everyone, and not everyone wants it. I had an awful time with it when I tried it. Apart from the irregular bleeding/spotting. My other symptoms are manageable at the moment. Anxiety, joint pain, the odd time of tinnitus now and again.

I’m concentrating on loving the new me and not constantly trying to get back to feeling and being who I was in my fertile years. If my symptoms worsen then yes I probably will give it another go.

We all think differently and all want different things I guess and have different ways of managing this time of life.

I shall see how I get on.

Thanks for the reply

[Hannahlou]

Gosh that sounds difficult. I also suffer from hormonal migraines, both when estrogen dips too low but also when it peaks at ovulation.

Most hormonal migraines are caused by changes in hormones rather than any particular levels. The best approach is to be consistent and take a stable dose for many months. Patches are usually better than gels for migraines, because they deliver a consistent dose throughout the day.

The rash sounds like a histamine reaction to starting estrogen. You might want to google histamine intolerance and Dr Tina Peers to see what she has to say about it and how to take HRT if you have histamine intolerance.

I’ve always suffered with migraines after the birth of my son 34 years ago. Not connected to my periods. They were just random and in the first few years or so I’d have 1 every week. It was awful. As I got older I found that it was certain foods and drinks that triggered them. I stopped having them completely at about ages 47 I’m 55 now. Then they were back with a vengeance worth the HRT.

If I decide to give it another go at some point I will do all my research beforehand.

The rash I had alongside it was like I’d been burnt. Blisters appeared and they were extremely painful. Don’t want to go back there in a hurry.