When it came to changing HRT again I was a bit nervous. Last time the doctor had told me that if it didn’t work out then I would have to accept that possibly I wasn’t perimenopausal. This also triggered the idea that blood tests would be needed – and I have a needle phobia!
The Previous Situation
Initially I had been put on Sequi 50 – well Evorel 50 and Conti 50 (which is the same thing just in different boxes). But when I needed to increase the dose they don’t do Conti patches with a higher dose.
Originally I was told that I shouldn’t take the tablet form due to the fact that my mother had breast cancer. However, the last doctor had a different opinion and so moved me on to Utrogestan 100 tablets. Then it was a case of remembering to take 2 each night before bed for the last 2 weeks of my cycle. Also on an empty stomach.
To remember I wrote it all over my calendar and ticked off each night I took them. That way if I had forgot at bedtime I could try to rectify it the next day at least.
6 Months On after First Changing HRT
So for roughly 6 months this has been the routine. The symptoms did go away again and things were much better. Although my periods were no longer extremely heavy they were slightly longer. This was okay but each month it seemed I was bleeding more and more. Some months having a period for 10 days. Not great when trying to train for Swim Serpentine.
Usually I bleed when I am taking the progesterone (the Utrogestan 100 tablets) and stop once I have stopped taking them. Many women it seems do the complete opposite. Well this month I did both! Plus the bleeding was heavier again (but nowhere near as heavy as before the HRT).
Reluctantly I contacted the doctors, worrying that they would make me stop the HRT. It felt like too much of a risk to just ignore though.
The Response from the Doctors
The doctor called me straight away. A Mirena coil was suggested to me, as has been many times before but I really don’t want one. We discussed what had been happening and she got me in to look at my cervix. There was a slot available in a couple of days’ time but I was bleeding so we made it the following week. Of course it would need to be cancelled if I was still bleeding unless it was really light.
The Doctors Appointment and Changing HRT Again
At the doctor’s appointment she again suggested the Mirena coil. My options were to double the tablets or go back to patches. Patches suited me much better because there’s not as much to remember. She also pointed out that they had worked for me last time. So that’s it – straight away no more tablets!
A prescription was sent straight to the chemist but I had also already got leftover patches at home so changed immediately. As they don’t do any higher I have to cut a patch in half – diagonally works best apparently.
At least the new HRT prescription certificate means I don’t have to pay any extra for these changes.
Also at the Doctors
She did check my cervix and said it looked fine. Even though I have always suffered from heavy periods I have never been checked out. Therefore, I have now been booked for a scan. Apparently it is just of my tummy so they most likely won’t even need to do anything internally.
For the first time my patch had also left a rash. She told me that this was likely from water. That waiting to change them and not when I have just got out the bath/shower is a good idea. Also there’s a small lump in my armpit which she said was probably lymph nodes up and could be the sign of a cold coming. To just keep an eye on it.
So, blog readers, that is where I am right now on my perimenopausal journey.
Let’s hope this works for you! It’s good that you can get a scan to check out the bleeding.
My patches caused a rash, which turned into a really nasty skin infection, so I had to switch to the gel. I’m not so keen on the gel, but it’s OK.
That’s interesting information, especially about your mum and history as the same applies.
Hoping I’m a while off yet but have friends om the patches and they swear by them! Hope you’re having a good week! x