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[Julie Warner]

Hi All, hope you are well 

     I started on HRT 12 months ago and it started off really well. I started on Evorel patch 50 and increased it to 75 and i was having palpitations again. I started HRT because of my anxiety but looking back I was in an abusive relationship which would have contributed. These past few months my periods have been really painful and heavy. I'm 52 years old and had to call in sick from work as I was buckled over with pain. I have multiple fibroids and had an endometrial ablation round 9 years ago because of my heavy periods. My periods became much lighter and shorter post op. I had a gynecology appointment this week and i'm having to come off HRT because it's making my period horrendous. Has anyone else suffered this experience and what was your outcome. I don't mind coming off it as I can't cope with the 2 week heavy, painful periods.

[CLKD]

Evening - welcome.  I had excruciating bloody, clotty periods for years.  HRT may cause this in some women.  What were you hoping to ease with replacement?

Why did your GP not prescribe an appropriate anti-anxiety medication?  Mine gave me valium 10mg 3 times a day for 2-3 weeks, then it was dropped to 5mg at night followed by as necessary which worked for several years.  A betablocka also helped: Propranolol at night.

It mayB that the sudden increase from 50 - 75 was far too much!  GPs don't seem to understand that when our own hormones are there, a sudden increase can cause problems!

Does the gynae have menopause knowledge as there are dedicated clinics though both NHS and private have waiting lists.

Let us know how you get on.  It mayB that after 12 months of treatment means that your anxiety is better, if not do talk to your GP about alternative anti-anxiety treatments. 

[bombsh3ll]

It makes me so sad to hear experiences like this, we have had the tools to get rid of periods since about 1965 and nobody needs to be suffering in that way, whether on menopause hormone therapy or not.

There are multiple non invasive progestin options that can have you completely or almost completely bleed free, either alone or alongside estrogen replacement.

I truly believe that over 95% of women can achieve amenorrhoea non-surgically in the hands of a skilled clinician.

Please see a specialist, whilst hormone therapy is a personal choice, feeling like you have to abandon it due to bleeding problems should be a never event.

You say you have been on estrogen patches but don't mention what progestogen has been tried - I truly hope you weren't told that an ablation negates the need for endometrial protection?!!

[joziel]

You might want to try a Mirena coil. It will usually stop all bleeding for most women within a few months. I know a lot of people don't like the sound of it, but if the alternative is coming off HRT, it might be worth trying at least.

[Julie Warner]

Thank you all for your replies.

      My GP prescribed Sertraline which made me ill after 3 days. I can't see the point in taking medicine for something which made your symptoms worse, so I came straight off it. At the time I was in a relationship with an alcoholic so I put my main anxiety looking back to that. We are no longer together and I only have the heart palpitations. I was taking 2 tablets every 2 weeks of Utrogestan 100. I also tried the mirena coil for 10 months and spotted everyday before my endometrial ablation.

    I'm happy coming off HRT. I have increased my exercise, logging my food on Nutracheck to ensure I am eating nutritionally well and started taking supplements. I've never had a hot sweat and I sleep really well. When I started the sertraline I couldn't sleep at all    I will keep you updated but i'm feeling better already.

[flo69]

I found that my periods were heavier or lighter depending on which progesterone I was given that month.

I tried a lot of them, all made me bleed despite being over a year period free beforehand.

Which one are you using? Maybe try a different one, I bled a lot on Evorel conti, less with provera, more with utrogestan or cyclogest.

I couldn't tolerate any of them, I take tibolone, it's great and after 17 months of a bleed once a month, my bleeds simply stopped, 7 months ago.

I'm still on the gynae waiting list to find the cause of the bleeding 

[Julie Warner]

I am feeling so much better after weaning off HRT. It proves it does effect your periods as I had a slightly lighter period after and now I'm 6 days late