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[Essexcountrygirl]

Hi, I have only been on HRT for a few months. Oestrogel and utrogestan ( days 14 -28).
I went to the doctors last week to enquire about changing to patches instead of gel and he said he would move me over to everol conti.
My periods before hrt were quite infrequent but I was still getting them every 3 or 4 months. Breakthrough bleeds only occasionally happening since being on HRT.
Does this sound right? As when I look up conti online it seems to suggest that your periods should have stopped a year before going on this.

I’’m Going on a cruise next month and a little worried about starting the new patches in case I get excessive bleeding etc.

Any help appreciated.

[CLKD]

   did the GP explain why the change?   Hopefully some1 will be along with advice.

There are several ladies who enjoy cruises so you aren't alone ! 

[bombsh3ll]

Switching after 12 months is a guideline not a mandate, and patient choice is important.

If you aren't comfortable switching before your cruise, explain this and ask for your preferred treatment.

You can also go on estrogen only patches and continue utrogestan if you prefer, rather than accepting the combined patch with synthetic progestin.

Even if the utrogestan is then prescribed continuously, as the cyclical dose is usually double the dose for 2 weeks instead of 4, it will still ultimately be within your gift to take it cyclically should you wish, as long as you take the correct amount per cycle.

[Essexcountrygirl]

Thanks for your replies. He just suggested i might be ready to move onto the continuous regime but now  im not so sure.
I suppose I wonder what the likelihood is of me having more bleeding ? Although of course I’m aware we are all different.

[bombsh3ll]

There is no way to know that until you try.

If you are over 50 and your own cycle had completely or almost completely ceased, further bleeding is less likely than say if you were 43 and still having fairly regular cycles.

There are bleed free options if you prefer such as mirena IUS or desogestrel 150mcg as the progestin.

Both of these can eliminate bleeding even in premenopausal women.

However I would suggest that changing from a treatment you are stable on and know what to expect is probably best not done right before going on a cruise as it could spoil your holiday if you have side effects or erratic bleeding.

[Dotty]

if you're happy on Utrogestan then you could move to an oestrogen only patch with the utrogestan.

[CLKD]

I would certainly wait until the New Year with altering a medication regime.

[K45]

If it were me I think I'd wait till after your holiday. I changed from cyclical to continuous utrogestan a week ago after 10 months of struggling with the constant stop start routine. Like Bombsh3ll said it's only a guideline. Some drs say 6-12 months before changing. The best thing to do is what is right for you personally. Whe n I saw my GP last week she said by 3 months of the new regime you'll know if it's helpful or not.

[Essexcountrygirl]

Thanks for your help. I think I’ll talk to my doctor again and stay on what I’m already on until after my holiday. Seems the safer option.

[Essexcountrygirl]

If it were me I think I'd wait till after your holiday. I changed from cyclical to continuous utrogestan a week ago after 10 months of struggling with the constant stop start routine. Like Bombsh3ll said it's only a guideline. Some drs say 6-12 months before changing. The best thing to do is what is right for you personally. Whe n I saw my GP last week she said by 3 months of the new regime you'll know if it's helpful or not.

How are you finding it ?

[CLKD]

Do join in the cruise threads ;-)

[K45]

How are you finding it ?
[/quote]

Early days, but after a week I already feel a lot less fuzzy when I wake up. I am so glad to not be facing torturous withdrawal symptoms this weekend. Also a lot less tired at work which is a relief. I know there's a risk of erratic bleeding but I'd take that over going through progesterone withdrawal any day!

[sheila99]

If you're still on utro have you considered the 25 days out of 28 routine? It can be useful in late peri as it allows a bleed if there's been a build up.

[Essexcountrygirl]

How are you finding it ?

Early days, but after a week I already feel a lot less fuzzy when I wake up. I am so glad to not be facing torturous withdrawal symptoms this weekend. Also a lot less tired at work which is a relief. I know there's a risk of erratic bleeding but I'd take that over going through progesterone withdrawal any day!
[/quote]

That’s good then. Yesterday I got a withdrawal bleed ( the first one I’ve had) and it’s horrendously heavy.
Would being on continuous mean I wouldn’t get these ?but get erratic bleeds instead?  I’ve got a GP appointment later so I’ll ask, but it’s all quite confusing.

[Pixie]

Only way to know is to try it and give it the full 6 months to settle. After 18mths of sequi i changed to conti two months ago. I started it after a full week of oestrogen only patches so not ideal and had a proper bleed at the expected time 3wks later although it was unusually for me bright red.

Two weeks after that I had 3 days of spotting. Now coming up to when I would have had a bleed, we'll see! No signs of it so far. I'm 47 so maybe a bit early for me but no way to know without trying it.
At least when I did bleed on conti, my usual horrendous periods pains are no more.