Hi
I'm 53 and began the menopause in October 2017 with almost every symptom you can imagine. Working in an executive office with Directors, the hot flushes and anxiety were not something I could have and I was determined to find something that would get me back to normal.
So I asked the doctor for HRT and went onto Elleste Duet, assuming it would magically stop all these symptoms. But then I had to manage the very heavy monthly bleeds for 6 months (I didn't use to have very much of a bleed previous to menopause (barely a day of very light spotting) so to sit in the office or boardroom feeling blood pouring out of me was not a good option. So then I asked the Dr for a different option, but was told to wait until 1 year of taking it and then review everything. I spent a fortune on sanitary products and had supplies everywhere - the bleed would happen anytime day or night with no warning - it was such a nuisance.
After some thorough investigation on Google (!) I decided at my 1 year review to ask for Elleste Duet Conti and reluctantly the Dr agreed. Then I couldn't get the prescription and was told by various pharmacies that I wouldn't be able to get it because it is in short supply worldwide!! More investigation on Google and found that Kliofem was a good alternative. So I went back to the Dr and asked for this, telling her that Elleste Duet Conti was unobtainable!
Kliofem gave me daily bleeding for 3 months, some serious painful cramps, upset tummy, broken sleep, anxiety (again) and then I started to thoroughly investigate why. I can't tell you how much I read online about the drugs - estradiol 2 mg (an oestrogen identical to the one made in the ovaries) and norethisterone acetate 1 mg (a progestagen that acts in a similar way to the body's own hormone progesterone). The norethisterone was the part that was supposed to STOP the bleeding!
Holiday of a lifetime looming, I decided that I would either go "cold turkey" and give up taking the HRT altogether or find a solution to stop the bleeding.
My husband, by the way, has been extremely supportive, loving, patient and kind - although he did say I was 'different' because of menopause which made me sad. I did feel that I'd lost my carefree attitude and my joy for life; that uninhibited zest for life ... I'd feel guilty because the menopause isn't an illness or disease, but I definitely wasn't ready for the disruption and bleeding, most embarrassing and inconvenient (poor car seat)
So more reading and I discovered that I would need 'oestrogen blockers' and so began the supplements.
I got better and better and this week after making sure I take my Kliofem at exactly the same time every day and after taking Red Clover, Menopace, Wellwoman 50, Sage, vitamin d, vitamin e, oil of evening primrose, starflower, zinc, calcium and an A-Z multivitamin and mineral supplement, I have stopped bleeding, no pain, happy, energetic, tummy going down, calm, relaxed and I do believe I have found the right balance for me. I thought I would share this so that anyone else who takes Kliofem and is thinking of giving up because of the bleeding, this could be the answer for them!
Good luck to you all. Read as much as possible. Stay calm and carry on!!