HRT experience and help

[Anonymous]

Cross posting from meno group bc there have been zero responses in several hours.

I am 52yo. Still perimenopause. In the last year or so I only had 2 or 3 periods. Was always like clockwork prior. A few months into this I developed the usual symptoms. Met with a gyn specializing in meno. She started me on estradiol/norethindrone acetate 0.5mg 0.1mg. I've been taking it daily and just started my third month. I have been having frequent heavy periods then lighter bleeding that lasts for weeks. I almost want to stop so i don't have to deal with never ending bleeding. It hasn't caused me to gain weight thankfully. Sleep is better no more flashes. I finally stopped bleeding and I had a blessed five day break. Then my breasts started getting tender and slightly swollen. Both equal, I could tell it was all related to hrt. The next day or so later I started a heavy bleed. After a day or so it lightened up. But I'm still tender. I'm just so annoyed though at weeks of breakthrough bleeding. We have a getaway coming up next week and I mulled over stopping hrt for a week so I don't bleed anymore. But then I read that stopping hrt can cause another bleed.

I talked to gyn once. She told me this is all normal and it will last 3 to 6 months.

What has your experience been? I didn't want to do patches etc. Bc the adhesive always irritated me. My gyn said the tablet was great. I don't weigh much so dosage is low.

Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

My gyn says:

-All risks of estrogen are substantially reduced by using it transdermally
-All risks of progesterone are substantially reduced by getting it via a Mirena

So to start with I think your gyn is not giving you the lowest-risk options, and why is that happening?

I have not had another period since starting HRT. Whether I actually was on the verge of menopause or not, IDK. When I used oral contraceptives and took them straight through, I never got “periods” (/withdrawal bleeding) then either

[Anonymous]

The only time I’ve had bleeding since starting MHT is when I missed a patch.

I’m on transdermal estradiol and oral progesterone. I waited until I hit 11 months without a period before starting MHT. I used Nutrafol Balance during much of peri and it somehow helped reduce most symptoms ; still had irregular periods of course but they weren’t intolerable.

It sounds like you’re putting up with worse symptoms with your treatment than you had before treatment?

[Anonymous]

I think you should probably stop the HRT. Sounds like it is doing nothing for you.

[Anonymous]

I am your age on HRT - I go to a Doc that uses a compounding pharmacy. I take 150 progesterone at night and have a vaginal estrogren suppository and a cream for behind my knees with a small amound of Estrodial and DHEA. My periods are better - less cramping, bleeding, lower PMS. I think you should get a second opinion. It sounds like maybe you are on too much HRT. What you describe sounds miserable.

[Anonymous]

I have an IUD. The gyn explained that when you have this, the trace amount of hormones is confined to the uterus where it is needed. I had been taking oral hormones previously that caused the growth of some brain tumors (since removed) but didn't want a recurrence so went the IUD route.

[Anonymous]

Crossposting response from Peri/menopause forum:

Are you also taking progesterone? You need it if you are taking HRT and have an uterus (i.e., no hysterectomy).

Some resources to get you started in advocating for yourself:

https://kellycaspersonmd.com/top-menopause-hormone-myths-busted/

https://thepauselife.com/pages/the-new-perimenopause-book

https://peterattiamd.com/rachelrubin/

[Anonymous]

I’m on 200mg oral micronized progesterone and .75mg transdermal estradiol gel. Monthly periods still at 50, but they have only gotten lighter since I started HRT 6 months ago.

Why aren’t you on progesterone?
Why are you taking oral estrogen?

I’d try a different meno “specialist” - yours doesn’t sound great.