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Author Topic: Missed a dose - immediately seeing some bleeding  (Read 2833 times)

SueLW

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Missed a dose - immediately seeing some bleeding
« on: May 25, 2018, 09:55:33 PM »

Hello Ladies

I use a hormone cream (compounded).  I'm really, really good at not missing doses of medication.  But this afternoon I did get side tracked and missed the afternoon dose.  This evening I'm already seeing some light blood when going to the loo and my mood became anxious and stressed over dinner. (Calmer now as I've applied my evening dose).

Any idea what that means?  Other than "don't miss a dose"!  To begin to bleed so soon, is that a clue I need to be careful of?  Seeing the hormone doctor again in July though, so not long to wait to be able to ask.

I used to use the cream once in the morning and once in the evening.  But was told I could add in an afternoon dose if it made me feel better and I think it does so I've been doing it for a while now.
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Daisydot

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Re: Missed a dose - immediately seeing some bleeding
« Reply #1 on: May 26, 2018, 06:57:38 AM »

Hi sue there's not many of us have any experience of compounded creams,could you not call or email your consultant for advice as julys a fair bit off and it'll put your mind at rest.sorry I couldn't help good luck xx
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Dancinggirl

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Re: Missed a dose - immediately seeing some bleeding
« Reply #2 on: May 26, 2018, 07:41:24 AM »

Hi SueLW
Compounded hormones are not properly tested or licensed and can vary greatly. This is why they are recommended as safe treatment and Dr Currie has done a section about this somewhere in this site - so do search.
So much will depend on what is actually in this cream ?? If it is just progesterone and if you are peri menopause then it is likely that bleeding will emerge if applications are missed but you may be getting spontaneous spotting that can happen with any hormone treatment.
The problem with any alternative hrt treatment is that there are no controls or scientifically proven guidelines and many of the treatments depend heavily on the skills of the compounding pharmacist. There will probably be a strong placebo effect with this type of treatment so this will be why you felt so anxious when you realised you had missed an application. Have you been told you are oestrogen dominant?
If you are paying a lot of money for this treatment then I would suggest you see a specialist gynaecologist (who usually works with the NHS eg Prof Panay it find someone in your area) who will properly access you and offer prescribed hormones at the right dosage to help you through this challenging time.
Look under TREATMENTS on this site and you will see that there are a whole range of licenced treatments on offer but it is often wise to seek specialist advice about what you need.
Do keep us posted - we are hear to support you. DG x
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SueLW

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Re: Missed a dose - immediately seeing some bleeding
« Reply #3 on: May 26, 2018, 09:49:15 PM »

I've been very happy with my compounded creams most of the time.  I've used them for 3 years now.  They helped me through the rough bit of peri.  I don't believe they are as bad as this forum thinks.  But it's a personal decision and one I made after doing research.  I use a hormone doctor for my treatment and my cream has a balanced mix of biestrogen, progesterone and testosterone.  But I have become hypothyroid and it's messing with all my hormones. 

It's not a placebo to feel anxious if I miss a dose.  I'm often late with one due to work or some such and I don't feel anxious or bleed.  I suspect that I perhaps need to have a bleed.  I've not done so for well over a year.  My last scan was fine, but it was over a year ago and I should probably book in for another one.

I just thought someone here might understand the process better than I do as to what is happening if I were to start to bleed so quickly after missing a dose.

Oddly, since I've increased my thyroid medication a bit (I really, really struggle to increase it, it's horrible!) I think my cycle is trying to come back to life.  I'm pretty certain I've ovulated a couple of times in the last few months.  Not done that in years.  So that may well be messing up levels.

I'm not particularly worried about it.  I'll wait for my appointment and see if I can book in for a scan at the same time.  I am actually thinking of changing method, not because of fears over the cream, but because I think I need less variables while I sort thyroid out.  I'm considering a coil and gel.  I shall talk to my doctor about that when I see her.

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Dancinggirl

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Re: Missed a dose - immediately seeing some bleeding
« Reply #4 on: May 27, 2018, 07:12:48 AM »

Poor thyroid function can really mess with everthing so may well be having a strong effect on you.

Good to hear you have scans and you are probably right that you may be needing one now. You don't say how old you are but you could still be peri meno and your ovaries might have a few more gasps. Some bl reading or spotting with any hormone treatment is common but should be investigated.  If you are deeper into menopause you may need some extra oestrogen as, for many, the decline in oestrogen can bring low mood. I had a Mirena with Oestrogel and it was the best HRT I ever tried.
DG x
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paisley

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Re: Missed a dose - immediately seeing some bleeding
« Reply #5 on: May 27, 2018, 07:20:43 AM »

SueLW
I don't know about the bleed as I have had a hysterectomy but I am on a HRT spray. But one day I put it on at 1.30pm instead of 8 am & I really felt the difference. For a few days I felt awful.
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SueLW

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Re: Missed a dose - immediately seeing some bleeding
« Reply #6 on: May 28, 2018, 02:47:51 PM »

I had a Mirena with Oestrogel and it was the best HRT I ever tried.
DG x

Hello Dancinggirl.  I'm just 55. 

Hypothroid is awful.  Now it looks like there might be an issue with my adrenal glands.  I have to have some tests.  None of that will be helping with my menopause journey. I think you might be right, there might be a few last gasps left in me yet!  I stopped having periods years ago with the Mirena so could have some eggs left.

I've seen you say before that the Mirena and Estrogel was the best HRT you ever had.  Why did you stop it?  I've wanted to ask you that question before, and now it's my thread I don't mind doing so :-)

I am actually considering a switch the Mirena and gel once (if) I can get thyroid sorted out.  Just because being ill has cost me a fortune and so I need to try to find a cheaper option.  I was OK with the Mirena before.  According to a new doctor I saw a couple of weeks ago about thyroid, all the women in hospitals (staff) have Mirenas and love them. 
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SueLW

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Re: Missed a dose - immediately seeing some bleeding
« Reply #7 on: May 28, 2018, 02:49:07 PM »

SueLW
I don't know about the bleed as I have had a hysterectomy but I am on a HRT spray. But one day I put it on at 1.30pm instead of 8 am & I really felt the difference. For a few days I felt awful.

That's interesting.  Just from being late!  I don't feel it that bad myself if I'm late.  If I am late with the morning application I can feel a bit rubbish all of a sudden, but it goes when I apply.
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Dancinggirl

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Re: Missed a dose - immediately seeing some bleeding
« Reply #8 on: May 28, 2018, 03:27:38 PM »

When I hit 60 I had simply had enough of HRT. I'd tried the gel with Utrogestan for 18 months believing this was the safer option at this late stage in my life but it gave so many problems and I just decided I would stick with local oestrogen and see how things went without systemic. I'm 62 now and actually flushes and night sweats have finally reduced to being manageable BUT if I had wanted to continue hrt I would go back to the Mirena.
I can say there is life beyond systemic hrt but if I could just have a little bit of oestrogen without any progesterone then that would be great. DG x
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Hurdity

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Re: Missed a dose - immediately seeing some bleeding
« Reply #9 on: May 28, 2018, 07:51:33 PM »

Hi there SueLW - because you are using a non-standard form of HRT and we don't really know the doses etc it is impossible to say why you might be bleeding. However unexpected bleeding can be due to all sorts of reasons, so definitely a good idea to check this out with your doctor in July

I've been very happy with my compounded creams most of the time.  I've used them for 3 years now.  They helped me through the rough bit of peri.  I don't believe they are as bad as this forum thinks. 


Just to clarify - it's not this forum that thinks that! This forum is part of the Menopause Matters website (stating the obvious!) - and founded and run by a leading gynaecologist and former Chair of the British Menopause Society, Dr Heather Currie so although there is a range of views and treatments available, many members of the forum are just relaying what are accepted medical recommendations, and those of the current menopause societies - not only in UK but also internationally there is a consensus on this. It is not that creams are bad per se - just that they are not standard preparations, so you don't know what you are getting (as well as the fact that the pharmacies shockingly charge ridiculous amounts of dosh for them when body-identical products are available on NHS). As an example of creams that have been tested and standardised - estriol creams for VA, and in Aus now a testosterone cream for women. The most important hormones to ensure you get at the correct dose when you are taking other HRT is progesterone, to protect the womb lining - and the creams obtained from compounding pharmacies just may not be up to the job. By the way there have been lots of threads and articles on this and discussion and links so happy to find any for you if interested?

Soirry to hear about your thyroid - this seems to be a common problem for women in mid-life and so hard to disentangle what is causing what symptom and which to treat first.

Hope you manage to sort it all out re doses etc and feel better soon :)

Hurdity x
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