Hello, just would like to know what others did in this situation. I’m 51 years old. Been on HRT for about nine months. I started at 0.0375 patch. A few months later went up to 0.05. One week ago went up again to 0.075. I’ve had to keep uping my dose because my symptoms would return. I started bleeding yesterday, like I have my period cramps and all the whole thing. This happened the last time I upped my dose so I had a vaginal ultrasound to check the lining and everything was fine. It was normal thickness. My question is should I take the patch off until the bleeding stops and then perhaps cut a little bit of the patch off and start with a lesser dose so this doesn’t happen. I really don’t wanna deal with having a heavy period for a whole week or longer. Or do I just deal with it until my hormone stabilize?
Thanks

Hello, I was diagnosed with premature ovarian insufficiency in my 30s, 42 now, started HRT 1.5 years ago, on 0.1 patch and 200, at first cyclical, then 2 months ago decided on continuous progesterone (utrogestan). Past few months have been mostly spotting and bleeding most days of the month, recently experiencing heavier bleeding and minor cramping. Reason I switched to daily utrogestan is to stop my withdrawal bleeding because it’s painful. I plan on making a doctor appointment concerning the bleeding. Until then I’m wondering if what I’m experiencing normal? Or is it concerning? I don’t understand why the bleeding/spotting is non stop for 3 months. Please share your thoughts, thanks 🙏🏻

I meet with my doctor next week and want to ask what would be beneficial post menopause. I’m not taking anything right now, just stopped taking progesterone after about 10 years because of heavy periods. I wanted to see if it was still helping or hindering. It’s been 4 weeks since I stopped.

I feel about the same. In some ways better but sleep isn’t quite as good, but good enough. I’m more irritable but less anxious. I’m slightly crampy on occasion but not enough to need to take pain meds. Brain fog is better and I feel sharper mentally. Joint pain is better. I’ve lost a couple of pounds. No periods so far. I never had one while on progesterone. I’m not sure if I’m post or not but I’m 58 so most likely.

I know there are some health benefits to HRT but I’m not sure what. The info out there is confusing to say the least.

I’ve been taking HRT for a few years, and for whatever reason everything seems to have shifted in the past few months - possibly coinciding with turning 55. 😒

On pretty much a daily basis, my joints ache. While it’s primarily my hands and arms, I sometimes feel it in my legs and feet. The sensations are more prickly and achy than painful - but definitely annoying.

I’ve had various labs ran, and all appear to be normal. I take thyroid medication and that dose was adjusted slightly based on lab results.

Is anyone else experiencing this? If so - what has helped??

Anyone else experiencing crazy alcohol intolerance? I usually have just 1-2 glasses of alcohol a couple times a week. Wine with dinner or a drink with dinner. I find I have one drink and I feel like I have drank 5 drinks! I feel foggy the next day and I hate that it hits me so hard. Do I need to give up drinking now that I am older? I’m only 53!

That's all. A minor miracle. No ........a total game changer. My eyes were getting so dry they were glued shut by evening. TV and screen time off limits. I'm firmly in menopause. Changed from birth control pills to gel. Noticed improvement at 1.25 mg. Upped to 2mg and my eyes look normal. No more chalzions. No more scary eyes shutting from dryness at random times. Eye drops didn't help. Antibiotics were temporary. It was the 2mg. Only been a few days and WOW. If this changes I'll update. Hope that helps any dry eyes sufferers.

Pretty much the title.

I haven’t had much of an interest in food. Nothing sounds good to eat. Nothing sounds appetizing. None of my previously favorite foods sound at all appealing. I mean, absolutely nothing. Not snacks or candy. Not popcorn.

I can’t face an egg McMuffin ever. It’s all just cardboard tasting.

I get a smoothie for breakfast. I struggle to get it down but it stays down. I have maybe a sandwich—usually half a sandwich—and nothing sounds at all worth the effort to even look at.

I ran out of estrogen patches, so I stopped taking my progesterone 100mg. So, no HRT for about a month. I did start to only take progesterone only the last half of my cycle a few months ago, then completely stopped progresterone when I ran out of estrogen. I don't know if it is causation or correlation, but I feel SO much better. My mood and energy levels are good now. I feel like myself. If/when I get back on HRT, I'll likely do an IUD instead of oral progesterone. Curious if anyone has had similar experiences?

Hi everyone, I'm hoping someone might have had a similar experience and can offer some reassurance.

I've always attended my smear tests on time. When I was in my 40s, I had to have a colposcopy and treatment for abnormal cells (I can't remember exactly when). I had follow-up smears afterwards, and although there were some non-cancerous changes at one point, I've never had any problems with anyone finding my cervix. My previous smear tests were generally straightforward and not particularly uncomfortable. I think I may have bled slightly after one of them once, but that's all.

I've also had two pregnancies and gave birth naturally both times.

I've been on HRT for nearly three years now. I use two pumps of oestrogen gel and take progesterone tablets. I still occasionally have periods, so I'm not fully menopausal.

I went for my scheduled smear test today, and it was something I've never experienced before. The nurse tried several times using different-sized speculums, including longer ones, but she couldn't properly see my cervix. She said she could see a little bit, but not enough to insert the brush and take a sample.

She called another GP to help, and they tried as well, but unfortunately they couldn't manage it either. I've now been told to reschedule.

I'm feeling quite worried because I've never had this problem before, despite always attending my appointments and having previous smears without any difficulty. I'm wondering whether it could be related to perimenopause or hormonal changes, but obviously my mind is going into overdrive.

Has anyone experienced this, particularly during perimenopause or while taking HRT? Have you had smear tests that were previously straightforward but then suddenly become difficult because the nurse or doctor couldn't find your cervix?

I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences, especially if you eventually managed to have a successful smear and found out what was causing the problem.

Thank you.

I am 29 F and have premature menopause due to childhood cancer. I recently posted about intimacy being uncomfortable. After reading responses and speaking with my partner, i have learned that (at least to him), i am not experiencing dryness. I am then thinking maybe it's just atrophy?

I have an appointment with a gynecologist in a few weeks but im wondering in the interim if using lube & foreplay will help with my comfortability or if only estrogen creams and HRT fix what i'm feeling? I'm also hesitant to do systemic HRT due to having the BRCA1 gene and not yet completing an oophorectomy surgery yet.

Any personal insight or advice?

Just had 1st scan done (57). I am really shocked that all the things I have been doing( weight training, strength, vit d3, hrt) seems like it's not helping. I am at a 15% of major osteoporotic event in next 10 yrs. T score shows oteopenia

I am so sad and want to know has anyone had similar results and been able to stop decline or improve?

ETA: Wow, thanks for all the advice and encouragement. This community has helped me so much. You all rock!! I will work on my protein intake, and try to up my game for strength training. I have a follow up on 12/1. I will also be thankful I now have a baseline and can make sure it doesn't get worse!

Also, for those who asked, I am on the 3 HRT (e, p, t) but working on those since I still have symptoms after 2 years.

THEY called ME (shocker) and confirmed delivery, address, amount, etc. then she says "While you're on the phone, let me just confirm we have your... oh, yeah, yep we got plenty!"

.075 Mylan, and good luck to us all

EDIT: costco mail delivery. Brick-and-mortar are hit and miss.

I’m 50 and in peri (I think) on 4 pumps of oestrogel and Slynd (synthetic progesterone, micronised P intolerant).

I recently had an ultrasound for some pelvic pain and bleeding that I thought was another ovarian cyst. Scan showed no cyst, a small 1cm fibroid and an ovary that was close to my uterus (inconclusive but adhesion not ruled out). My lining was 4.1mm - the guidance wants 4mm on continuous HRT. Solely because of the lining, I’ve been referred for a hysteroscopy.

Interesting context, I’ve had two very similar experiences a year apart: start gel then a month later develop pelvic pain, bloating and bleeding. The first time this happened, a year ago, the symptoms were attributed to a large ovarian cyst and a slipped mirena coil. The investigations and mirena coil removal (and a 2nd failed coil) took several months to solve by which time I had started to trial the patch. On the patch, my pelvic pain, bloating and bleeding all went away, though most of my perimenopause symptoms came back (wasn’t absorb it it well). At the time, I thought the pelvic pain and bleeding went away because I no longer had the coil and cyst (absorbed itself). But in hindsight, the picture is unclear and perhaps the change to the patch caused the improvement in pelvic symptoms.

I know that changing HRT seems like the most logical and least invasive option. However, 4 pumps of gel is the only estrogen that has come even close to treating my debilitating perimenopause symptoms (all over flu feeling, intense anxiety and suicidal thoughts). In an ideal world, I’d keep the gel (now resettled for 3 months) and figure out and treat why it seems to be causing pain (if it’s the gel). Part of me wonders whether it might be some endometriosis that would benefit from treatment but I’m self diagnosing based on google!.

I’m not sure whether to push back on the hysteroscopy since I had these symptoms a year ago and suggest moving HRT first. But I’m very nervous that I’ve tried most oestrogen and apart from the oral pill, the only thing I have left to try is the Divigel.

The other option is to have the hysteroscopy, but I don’t see that that will fix my pelvic pain as it’s really just designed to check my lining isn’t cancerous. I don’t believe I have polyps or fibroids that would be causing this amount of pain. Should I just get the hysteroscopy and see what it says? I surely should be able to take four pumps of gel without pelvic pain? In case it’s relevant, I’ve been offered complete sedation for the hysteroscopy. Because of that, I’m leaning towards having it done. But I’m not sure it’s going to get me any further forward.

Other information: I’ve been on Slynd for 5 months and another progestin mini pill for 4 months before that so don’t think that’s the cause of the bleeding. I’m unable to add micronised P to solve the bleeding due to intolerance (I really did try it orally and vaginally for 3 hideous months)

Edited to add: I do think there’s something wrong with my pelvis. I can no longer take vaginal localised oestrogen without getting cramps (after a bowel movement) that are so strong I have to lie down for 20 to 30 minutes. Neither the tabs or the cream.

Any thoughts?

Started gel packets on Thursday last week. Just applied day 6 dose. Been applying in AM. Been off & on with headache & feeling off a bit since but also pushing a wee bit of crud out of system. But I think headaches are from change. I’m going to continue with it to give it some time. The patches were a pain for me & I like gel delivery. Give it at least a month?
Ive also gone back to waking at 3, but thinking the full moon is also to blame. 😉

Has anyone experienced worsening gut problems with HRT? For the past 4 months or so I have had much worsening bloating and constipation. So much so that I have been to a GI doc 3 times and am working with a specialist. I’m not sure that the HRThas caused it but the time line matches up. I did also read a study showing that women on HRT can have an increase in these issues.

I have experienced some benefits (libido being the big one) but the stomach issues disrupt my sleep and my life really badly. Ugh.

My skin changed so fast. It used to be normal-oily, and now it's cracking. My old routine does nothing, and even CeraVe isn't cutting it. Has anyone tried Typology's lipid-replenishing balm or Eucerin Original Healing Cream? I keep seeing richer creams for really dry skin, but I don't know what's worth buying. What actually helped you? Ugh, my skin is so uncomfortable. Any advice appreciated!

Post menopausal bleeding

Hi

For those of you who have had post menopausal bleeding on HRT and it was caused by that and not anything else, how long did it take for it to come right after you adjusted your estrogen and/or progesterone?

Thanks!

The HRT struggle is more and more real.

I started patch HRT a few months ago and am now confused — evidently there are different manufacturers for estradiol patches? If the doctor writes for “Climara” (brand name), then we get Mylan or Sandoz etc (generic est patches named after company who manufactures them?

I recently saw a copy of a prescription when my doctor upped my dose and it said “Vyvelle-Dotti…” are these permissible generics?

As an aside, if Mylan or any patch falls off, call their customer service and ask them to provide you with a free box via your pharmacy - did this last week and it was easy and is nice to have a stash.

Just to get this out of the way: Yes, I have spoken with my doctor about this. In fact I’ve had an exam and an ultrasound, and I’m scheduled for a d&c a week from tomorrow. And I spoke to the nurse over the phone today just to be sure that where I’m at is still OK.

But holy effing hell this is insane!!! I’ve been bleeding daily for 5.5 months, mostly light spotting until this past month, but since then it’s been getting heavier and heavier, to the point where I’m now bleeding waaaaayyyy more than I ever did when I had periods. I basically never used super tampons when I was menstruating, and for the last week I’ve been using super-plus 3-4 times a day plus backup pads, and I’ve been passing clots that are gradually getting bigger.

Initially the light daily bleeding seemed tied to getting a Mirena IUD in early May. 3.5 weeks ago I got the ultrasound, and that showed the IUD position was fine and I have one small subserosal fibroid.

It’s getting hard just waiting around like this, not knowing what’s happening, what it could mean, and what might come next. I’ve got another week to go before my procedure, and the IUD is definitely coming out for good before the hysteroscopy/d&c.

If you had heavy postmenopausal bleeding, what turned out to be the cause, and how did you resolve it?

In surgical menopause with h/o PCOS and endometriosis. Ive seen many providers and no one knows what to do for me. Granted most are generally incompetent when it comes to general dosing for surgical menopause and understanding that we may not absorb patches/gels and this requires alternative strategies , not “67 is a good E level post menopause”- NOT when you’re in surgical menopause at 45 w/ high androgens. Tho it seems estrogen patches are contributing to oily face/scalp and hair loss x 2 years. My body seems to hate estradiol.

I was great on birth control x 25+ years until last ovary removed and cant use birth control anymore . Oral E doesn’t improve things.

Can anyone recommend a progressive menopause specialist for complex cases (that hopefully can incorporate integrative medicine such as thyroid, adrenal, GI health?) endocrinologist, gynecologists, “HRT specialists” have not been helpful.

Surgical menopause. Was still using an expired brand with mylan brand and was doing ok. 2d ago I applied 3 Mylan patches to equate to my dose that 2 patches previously provided. First day felt off. as today progressed worse and worse hot flashes/neck sweating. I took 1 patch off and noted it had a lot of adhesive gone as if it was dumping E too quickly. Patches don’t look this bad on change day. Anyone else notice this?

Was scheduled for a hysteroscopy today (under anesthesia) due to on/off mild spotting and doctor prescribed 400 mcg misoprostol to soften cervix (never gave birth) told me could take orally or vaginally. Google told me vaginally has less sides effects (also told me 400 was a high dose for this). Took it last night and a few hours later holy cramps and insane shivering. You can’t take anything but Tylenol which does nothing for me. Felt like significantly bad menstrual cramps. Arrived at 11 for 1 pm procedure Waited and waited, procedure time came and went then told would be a few hours more. Maybe 4:30. It had been 14 hours no food, 10 hours no water and laying there in pain only to be told would have to reschedule !@&!. Still feeling cramping and off. Wondering if the misoprostol is worth it?

Ive been on HRT for 2 years. Started at 37.5mcg estradot patches (and 100mg progesterone) for hot flushes mostly. Steadily increases to 50 then 75. That seemed to be the sweet spot.

I was still having significant mood/anger/rage issues though so thought maybe to increase to 100mcg to try. My GP obliged (he’s not well versed but open to my direction).

Well about 3 days in a started breakthrough bleeding and my boobs were crazy tender and sensitive. Just really did not feel good and still don’t.

I’m about 6 days in but have already gone back down to 75mcg by cutting 1/4 of the patch, about 2 days ago.

I’m still bleeding a little (a bit in bowl mostly on tp) though and boobs still tender.

I’ll schedule an appointment but until then how worrisome is this? I’m mostly uncomfortable. My mood may have been life circumstance related so my preference is to stay back down at 75mcg.

Second question is I got bumped to 200mg progesterone while in 100mcg estrogen but before when I was using 75mcg patch I was prescribed 100 mg but sometimes took two to help me sleep. What are pros/cons of 100 vs 200mg I should look out for? Maybe 200mg 2-3x week was kinda my sweet spot..

Thank you all!

Good news. Found my strength of patch at telyrx. Thanks to a post on this forum. They are on their way and will be here tomorrow.

QUESTION: I've been without them for 6 days. When I put one on, will it be like starting over or will I get any relief within a few days?