Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Sunnydays on December 16, 2017, 11:39:32 AM
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I know that I'm searching for the impossible.......! Hrt with little/no bleed and no side effects or higher risk effects from the progesterone and by the way, all by patch and not tablet!
Evorel sequi - great, rarely a bleed but headaches and turning into aggressive monster!
Utrogestan taken vaginally - only tried once and the amount of blood was so alarming! Bright red copious amounts (sorry TMI) but ceased after about 4 days. Problem was - what with taking Utrogestan that way and then the bleed meant no sex for at least 16 days of the month!
So Provera - unfortunately tablet form, but don't don't feel so agressive as Evorel and over past few months not much of a withdrawal bleed. This month though bam! I've had 5 consecutive days and nights of the Utrogestan experience! Day 6 and it's still coming! I don't like this at all.
PS I do have uterus scans once a year and all fine plus I don't get inbetween bleeding.
So like Alan Sugar in his search for the Apprentice, I think my search for the perfect hrt will continue!
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There will always be compromises with any HRT. If Provera is giving minimal side effects and you at least have sex while taking the Provera pills, then a slightly heavier bleed for a few days each month is not bad. If you don't get period pains or feel too unwell while having this bleed then that is good as well.
You could try reducing the amount of Oestrogen you use as this might result in a lighter bleed. You mustn't forget that the bleed is necessary to protect the womb and a heavier bleed would indicate that there is more lining to shed.
Your only alternative would be to have a Mirena.
DG x
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Hi Sunnydays - as Dancinggirl says - if you are having bleeding then this means the lining has built up. The utrogestan does not cause the bleeding - but if you bled after using it vaginally this means that your lining was very ready to come away, and it (Utro) was doing its job very effectively.
If progestogens are taken at high doses and over a long duration per month ( or continuously) then they will prevent the lining building up - so when the dose is reduced there may only be a small bleed. The size of the bleed is dependent on the dose of oestrogen combined with the dose, duration and type of progestogen. You probably know that already - but just trying to say that if you bled on the utro - then you needed to!
Vaginal Utrogestan is very effective at clearing the lining - but as you say it can limit bedroom activites if taken monthly ::) - but much better if on a longer cycle!
I can't remember what oestrogen dose you are on and I think you are post-menopause. Also are you trying a longer cycle too? it is all a compromise. I would have increased my oestrogen dose slightly a long time ago - had I not preferred to be on a longer cycle to avoid frequent progesterone. So I keep my oestrogen dose at medium level to keep the bleeds manageable and pretty pain free ie nothing like my natural periods - which is what I can cope with in my 60's. There is no way I would want to go back to prop er heavy periods and period pains! If you are younger, as Dancgingirl says you might need to make some adjustment to oestrogen dosage to reduce the bleeding - or to take a longer course of a progestogen. Alternatively you could try a couple of months of say 21 days Provera per month (if you are OK with this prog) which should both shed your lining and then prevent it building up - and then go back to 12 days and see how you get on - hopefully bleeds would reduce?
It may well be the answer is to vary your regime slightly throughout the year to keep things manageable - and as you say if your womb lining is verified OK with regular scans, at least you don't have to worry on that score!
Hurdity x
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Hi,
I've used Utrogestan for 3 years vaginally, I have a very light period, this for most of the time is only visible when I wipe (sorry for tmi). However it is incredibly painful but I also have fibroids.
Shellb
xXx
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Thanks for your replies ladies! Yes I agree important that lining is cleared. And it's great no period pains! It's just been a bit strange as I usually only had the same blood loss as Shelby experiences but this month so much more. Interestingly in the past 3 weeks I have used the full patch of 37.5 (up till then I had snipped a bit off so I reckon dose about 30mcg) and I'm surprised this small increase had such an effect.
I still can't be sure the increased dose of oestrogen suits me and so I may revert back to snipping off a bit .
I think I'm quite happy with this regirme - I take it on the 1st of each month and of course I can go longer if needs be if on holiday etc. Plus taking it for 12 days have a jolly good bleed!
Thanks again :)