Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: NRGEE on April 18, 2021, 05:45:34 PM
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Hello
I suffer with depression which is hormone related and also have osteopenia(low bone density). I was put on FEMOSTON to help protect my bones with the oestrogen. This initially made me have no periods for 2 months then I got irregular heavy unpredictable bleeding. A gynaecologist suggested adding PROVERA( progesterone) in an attempt to regulate the bleeding. The combination of continuous femoston and 2 out of 4 weeks with provera as well- initially worked. I however have had 3 breast cysts aspirated at the breast clinic at the local hospital after mammograms confirmed the lumps were cysts. Was sexually abused when younger and find undressing v difficult even with a female radiographer/specialist/GP. My bone Dr has said my bones aren't too bad and I can stop the HRT to stop getting cysts. My psychiatrist says to stay on the HRT. You are meant to bleed at the start of the femoston( 2 weeks of white tablets) or the end of it(2 weeks of grey tablets)- the provera tablets are blue and taken with the grey femoston. I am however bleeding at the start of the grey femoston and the bleeding is heavy and is lasting up to 12 days. The gynaecologist suggested the ideal option would be fitting a mirena coil and oestrogen patches( that was in Sept 2020). I rang her secretary to see if I could see her again- but she is only doing phone consultations. I need to be re-referred and the 1st appt isn't until July by phone. I just can't wait 'til then. My GP has suggested stopping the provera and seeing what happens just on the femoston. I physically couldn't cope with the insertion of a coil.I am not sexually active- and I thought that was what a coil was for as a form of contraception. Can any of you kind ladies give me some advice. I can't cope with cysts, i can't cope with depression and I want stronger bones. I am 50yrs on Wed. Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
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Hi NRGEE
I'm really sorry to hear you feel so rough.
You say you were put on Femoston to help protect against osteoporosis (I also have borderline osteopenia), was this Femoston 1/10, 2/10 or the conti version?
If it was either of the first 2, then they are a sequential method which would give you a withdrawal bleed. My experience with Femoston is that you get your withdrawal bleed at the end of the pack and usually a day or two into the beginning of the next pack ( you take them back to back). I am sorry I don't have any experience nor have I ever seen someone having additional progesterone (provera) on top of the progesterone in sequential HRT but I know many ladies including myself who do not react positively to progesterone.
Can you tell us were you still going through perimenopause at the time or had your periods stopped? Hopefully some more experienced ladies than I will be along soon with some words of wisdom, in the meantime wishing you all the best for your birthday x
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I'm not sure if hrt actually caused your cysts. I've had 3, only 1 while I've been on hrt. They do seem to be more commen as we head towards meno though. The mirena coil contains progesterone. It's good for 4 years for contraception but 5 for hrt. It's the best method to make sure tonn don't bleed if you're still peri so if you could cope with it it could be the best option. You might find a sexual health clinic that could do it soon, probably better than a gp as they do it all the time. If you explain your fears perhaps they could provide sedation. Then you could use oestrogel or have an oestrogen patch, transdermal is safer than oral hrt anyway. Your gp can prescribe a patch and mirena so you shouldn't have to wait til July.
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I have a Mirena for the progesterone element of my HRT. It was fitted in December and has been brilliant.
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It is Femoston 1/10 and you should get the withdrawal bleed as you say( at end of pack or start of new pack). I did get this for a while but recently it has started in the 3rd week of the month at the start of the grey tablets. I was perimenopausal when prescribed it by my specialist in gynaecology. I will get re-referred to her i think for her opinion. I have a tel consultation with my GP and will ask him to refer me back to the gynaecologist. Hadn't thought about getting sedation to have a mirena coil fitted- thank you for suggesting this.
Thank you ladies for your useful comments.