Hi Cassie
When I read the title of your thread I thought you were talking about cycling as in,
on a bike !
Yes most docs will recommended a conti regime for post-menopausal women - because there is a slight increased risk of endometrial cancer with cyclical regimes - because one is causing the endometrium to thicken, even though it is designed to be shed. However endometrial cancer is the worst scenario in a sequence of events that starts with over-thickning of the enodmetrium caused by imbalance of oestrogen and progesterone. This can sometimes lead to endometrial hyperplasia, which itself can sometimes lead to cancer.
Here is what the BMS says about it:
"
Long-term use of sequential combined HRT for >5 years may be associated with a small increase
in risk of endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer, with the risk being dose and duration
dependent in relation to progestogen intake"
Usually there is abnormal bleeding well before the worst case scenario occurs - though that's not to say that cancer only occurs after abnormal bleeding.
However BMS also say this:
"
The risk of endometrial cancer in women with unscheduled bleeding on HRT is significantly lower than
that with postmenopausal bleeding in women not on HRT especially in women who had not been
experiencing bleeding before commencing HRT"
However, generally speaking, whatever regime you are using - if you are taking progesterone for the recommended amount of time at the recommended dose, and your oestrogen dose is also generaly low to medium then it is unlikely that your womb lining will over thicken. The key thing is to be vigilant and report any abnormal bleeding (at the wrong time, or lack of it, or very heavy bleeding to your doc).
Ideally we would have routine scans every year or so on NHS but this never happens though perhaps it might be possible to persuade your doc to refer you for a scan? If not if you are able to afford one privately, which is not ideal and beyond the reach of many women due to cost, then perhaps opt to have one annually?
Like you I am sick of having bleeds and I'm in my 70s''s - blow that for a lark as they say!! However for me the alternative - taking progesterone every day - is a big no-no due to the progestogenic side effects.
So to answer your question - it is not unsafe
per se but there are increased risks associated with continued cyclical use beyond 5 years.
Hurdity x
