HRT stops pain increases bleeding

[Citrusheights79]

Hi everyone

I’m on a really long waiting list for a gyno appointment to check for Endo and Ando. Had loads of tests and an ultrasound. All clear.

Since using HRT/Tranzamic acid all my pain has gone, my pelvic pain has gone, my extreme bloating, fatigue, I don’t feel angry all the time and I don’t hot flush. My constant urination has reduced and I don’t flood. Now though I feel really depressed and low every day. I also started bleeding 11 days ago and it won’t stop.

Now I’m so confused. My doctor said there’s no way of knowing what’s peri menopause and what’s another issue like endo or ando. Without HRT or Tranzamic acid I have horrendous pain and loads of other symptoms. I don’t know whether to stop HRT or leave it. I’ve got a nurse appointment at the end of the month.

Sometimes I get paranoid as I think if I really did have endo or ando how come HRT got rid of the symptoms? But I know without both of those I get so unwell. Because I’ve never had daily pain I always think maybe there’s nothing wrong but I know that before, during and just after my period I’m really poorly and in so much pain.

I just can’t decide wether to leave everything but then I think if there is an underlying condition it needs treating. I’m now worried the NHS will take me off the gyno list, as HRT has got rid of the symptoms but I can’t just bleed every day and feel depressed. I’m so confused. I hate being a woman sometimes.

Sometimes I can relate so much to peoples symptoms in this forum. I just know without HRT and tranzamic acid combined I become anaemic and the pain is unreal. This makes me think there must be something wrong but I keep getting told there isn’t. I just want to get to the end of the waiting list so I can find out once and for all but then sometimes I think am I wasting the NHS’s time? Sorry for the moan.

[S0nrisa]

I’m sorry you feel like this and really hope you find answers soon. I’m in a similar position. I was prescribed desogestrel (POP) and sequential HRT over a year ago. I started with the desogestrel and had continuous bleeding and pain for almost 8 months. That settled so I felt ready to introduce the HRT, the bleeding and pain started again. It’s been 6 months and it’s just resided. In the meantime I tried, unsuccessfully, to get to talk to an endometriosis consultant at my local hospital. Similarly to you, I have had all the symptoms of endo for at least 8 years but no formal diagnosis. By this stage I don’t know what might be perimenopause and what could be something else. I wish you all the best.

[Citrusheights79 in reply to S0nrisa]

Thanks so much. I’m so sorry you’re going through all this. It’s just awful. I’ve taken the patch off now. I feel faint from the blood loss and it’s just not worth it. I’ll hopefully get to the end of the waiting list soon. I hope you get some answers soon. Xxx

[GlobalTraveller]

Hello there Citrus, I don' t have any answers for you as I'm at the start of my consultations regarding endometriosis. Just wanted to share my experience with HRT Evoril. At first I found the hot flashes decreased significantly and bleeding was much lighter to non-existent. After 12 months of regulation I started bleeding heavily every other week and spotting in between. It was unpleasant so I started to wean off HRT which has reduced episodes of bleeding, although I am still very heavy. The downside is I am feeling hot, hot, hot more frequently. I have strong pain medication that has taken the edge off painful periods so I am managing. But I'm still largely fatigued and have episodes of nausea and feeling like I cannot move from my bed (yes, depression kicked as my hormones have made me emotional for many years). Everybody has different experiences and I hope you find your own path to managing symptoms. Good luck x

[Citrusheights79 in reply to GlobalTraveller]

I’m sorry to hear you’re going through all that. Thanks for your reply. I hope you get some answers. Xxx

[1Poppy1234]

Have you also had an MRI scan? It seems like no all radiographers pick it up at ultrasound from what you reason the forum etc. Adenomyosis is made worse by oestrogen so I couldn't take hrt but it's good that it helps you with the symptoms. It seems like there are so many mixed messages at GP level and even consultants too. Hope you get some clarity on things. 🥰

[Citrusheights79 in reply to 1Poppy1234]

Thanks for your reply. No they would never do one. I’ve had ultra sound and blood tests. I went back last year to the surgery and begged them to put me on the waiting list to check for endo and ando, so they finally did. I got advice from this forum and spoke to the one GP in the surgery who specialises in womens health. It’ll be months before I’m seen. I actually took the HRT patch off last night but I put it back on again. I’m trying to push through but it’s been 14 days of continuous bleeding now and I feel faint/headache/exhausted. I’m sure this can’t be right but I’ve heard that it can go on for months but the GP never told me this may happen and it didn’t say it in the leaflet. If I stop the HRT all the other symptoms will come back. I just wish there was a solution. I’m gutted as I thought I’d found a miracle in HRT. I don’t understand why this just started happening. I’ve been taking HRT with no issues. Hopefully the nurse I’m talking to on the 30th can help me somehow. Just not sure how I’ll manage for 20 days if this doesn’t stop. You’re right about the mixed messages. I’m sorry you couldn’t take the HRT. I hope you’re ok.

[1Poppy1234 in reply to Citrusheights79]

I'm pretty sure I had to wean myself off hrt slowly. Push push push go to a different GP ring and bother anyone you can in a nice way as it's not acceptable to not get help and unfortunately it's the only way you get heard I know it feels rubbish. Xx

[Citrusheights79 in reply to 1Poppy1234]

Thanks. I didn’t know that about weaning yourself off. Thanks for the advice.

[1Poppy1234 in reply to Citrusheights79]

Mine was in COVID and hard to get an appointment with the Dr so I cut mine in three quarters then halves then quarters till I stopped. 😊 Good luck with it all.

[Citrusheights79 in reply to 1Poppy1234]

Thanks