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[Jo1973]

Hi - I am going to Africa for a safari in 2 weeks time and really want to avoid having a period as they have got quite heavy especially for a couple of days where it can flood.  The previous month I didn't have a period though.  I am on 2 pumps Estrogel each day and 200mg utrogestan day 15-28. The doctor through the econsult system suggested altering the time I took the utrogestan and I have also heard that I can just continue the utrogestan which I am doing so far but I'm not sure if this is ok or not.   I was perimenopausal when I went on HRT 3 years ago so not sure if I've reached menopause or not or whether the bleed is just down to the HRT now.  I'm feeling a bit confused with it all!   But I just can't cope with the uncertainty of knowing whether I am going to have a heavy period whilst travelling!  Can anyone help me please?   

[bombsh3ll]

If it is important to you not to bleed on holiday then I wouldn't rely on micronised progesterone - this is not strong enough to override any endogenous ovarian activity that you are still having.

I would recommend getting a course of a progestin that is indicated for menstrual postponement such as norethisterone or provera.

These can be bought from online pharmacies if your GP won't play ball.

[Jo1973]

Thank you for your response.  I don’t know why this wasn’t suggested to me. I’ll go back to the GP to ask. 

[sheila99]

They might not provide as it's for your holiday not part of your normal hrt. You can get it from some travel vaccination centres.

[Jo1973]

So I’ve been prescribed norethisterone to help delay my period until end of August.  The doctor didn’t seem too sure but agreed that I carry on continuing my utrogestan as I have been.  (I’m normally on cyclical but have continued it for this month).   I presume I just take the norethisterone 3 days before my holiday and stop on last day.  I guess I then stop the utrogestan for 2 weeks to get back into cyclical?   

[bombsh3ll]

Norethisterone at the dose used to postpone menstruation is many times more potent than utrogestan so there's really no need to take both.

However given that you have already started taking the utrogestan, rather than stopping this midway through your holiday which might precipitate a bit of withdrawal bleeding, I would stop it at the same time as you stop the norethisterone ie when you don't mind bleeding.

[Jo1973]

Thank you - this is so helpful