Print

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

[patti]

Hi ladies,
I’m 63 been on sequi regime for 7 years - the conti regime didn’t suit ( break through bleeding)
I dont want the 5-6 days of bleeding per month anymore as I’m having to take iron tabs for anaemia .
But also the micro breast cysts ,that get really painful 😓 and breast clinic are advising to stop HRT

So, do I stop both the Estrogel & Utrogestan after I’ve taken my last utro tabs ( I have gradually reduced the gel to a small pump over the last few weeks)

Any advise welcome
Thank you all so much xxx

[CLKD]

Morning.  Why have the breast clinic given you that advice?   Could U get a referral to a dedicated menopause Clinic?

[Dotty]

Hi if you had breakthrough bleeding on a Conti regime did you try to increase the Utrogestan?

[patti]

Hi,my GP referred me to breast clinic as I could feel a new lump on both breasts ( in addition to the many small lumpy fibrous cysts I already had) I had mammogram and ultrasound- which I’d had 12 months previously for the same reason and was told it was some more cysts - they cannot aspirate them as they’re either too small or too deep . The consultant has told me that while I continue with
HRT they will be an ongoing problem as they are fed by the HRT - so his advise was to discontinue with the HRT ( as he had previously told me )

With regard to the breakthrough bleeding - I tried for 12 months on the conti regime and eventually emailed Dr Heather Currie who suggested I try the sequi routine as at least I would know when I would have a bleed - which I did - and for the past 6 years has worked fine - but having to take iron tabs for anaemia ( I am also coeliac) I’m just struggling with the breast pain I’ve tried Starflower oil tabs (Higher GLA than evening primrose) and the monthly bleed is not great at nearly 64 .

So that’s why I’m thinking it’s a natural conclusion to stop HRT   

[CLKD]

Ah.  My Mum had cysts throughout her 50s (1980s) and never took HRT.  Each required removal and histology.  I wonder where the Consultant was getting his info from  ? 

MayB time to stop treatment to C how you feel?  Which symptom would you like to ease first should they return?

[joziel]

I don't think the solution (given all the increased risks of cardiovascular issues, dementia, osteoporosis etc etc) is just to stop HRT.

Did you ask him if he might advise men to get castrated if they have non-cancerous testicular pain? Why does he think it is okay to medically castrate a woman?

Maybe get a second opinion from a clinic which is supportive of HRT? Newson?

Have you tried Evening Primrose oil? And have you tried supplementing with normal doses of iodine, since we know that iodine prevents cysts in the breast like this? Maybe people are iodine deficient these days....

[DottyD68]

Hi Patti,

Sorry to hear you are struggling with various symptoms on HRT. I can understand why you want to stop it. Although some of my symptoms were reduced when I started HRT over 3 years ago, it hasn't been the magic bullet I expected it to be. I just seem to continuosly lurch from one symptom to another despite having changed doses, regimes and HRT products in a controlled way over time. I am now working my way to come off it (again) just to see what my own body is doing without additional hormones, as I have no idea if these varying symptoms are exacerbated by the extra oestrogen and progesterone and causing an imbalance. It's great that it seems to be a successful treatment for so many ladies, sadly I am not one of them.

Before you completely give up on it, have you tried anything different eg altering your doseage and/or trying something different from the gel & utrogestan e.g. patches? It might be worth giving something else a try to see how you get on as it just might be a doseage/absorption issue? X

[bombsh3ll]

Benign breast changes aren't a contraindication to HRT, however I can understand you feeling worried if you have lumps.

I agree with the previous comments that any breast lesion visible on imaging or clinically palpable that cannot be aspirated should be excised and diagnosed by histology, irrespective of HRT use.

Obviously it's a personal decision but I assume you are taking it for good reasons to start with, such as quality of life, bone protection etc which remain relevant.

Have you considered tibolone as an alternative? This reduces breast density and is associated with lower rates of breast cancer.

[patti]

Thank you all so much ladies - there’s a lot for me to consider here .I’m so glad I asked these questions as my GP would just agree with what I thought .
I don’t won’t to come off HRT so I think I’ll be investigating all of your suggestions 😀

[joziel]

Patti, not sure if we're allowed to post links, but go to YouTube and search for 'iodine breast cysts'. Dr Berg is a good one.

[patti]

Thank you joziel x