My brain is in a fog so much, last month and again this month I have managed to forget to take ONE hormone pill each month.  Doesn't sound like a big deal, huh?  But surprise - about a day and a half later I've started a period both months.  I've always wondered how women on HRT know whether or not they've actually reached menopause.  I've tried a couple of brands and returned to Premphase, I have skipped all periods since returning to it.  Seems to me if I have a period quickly after missing one HRT pill, then I must still be cycling and would have had a period if I wasn't on HRT.  Anyone else experience this?

Hi....Joannaran!!

Yup....I never knew when meno hit!!Was on HRT for 9 years....I was suppose to stop bleeding....but I had breakthrough and the occational period all during that time!

After the 9 years.....when I did stop the hormones....I expected a period within days!! Didn't for 3 months, then had my last one, which was 9 months ago.   My FSH readings didn't show post until this past May!  I still have phantom periods!!  Each month I feel the irritability....some bloat, etc.,etc. that goes with a period!!  That lasts 4-5 days then it's over!!

Bottom line.........I did NOT know when I actually reached post until AFTER going OFF the HRT!! In fact I didn't until recently!! Just a little something to think about while you're trying to figure out whether you're peri or post!!! :biggrin:  I think most women are the same!! My hormone levels still fluctuate and it hasn't been a year yet since my last period.........I'm 55yrs. old!! Grrrr!!

(((((((Hugs from a Canadian Chick)))))))                      Nancy  :cool:

Hi Snowbird, would love to hear about your experience with going off HRT. I want the same, it is such a guessing game. I am not sure what is meno and what is side affects. Been on it for 8 years, the last two have been really hard 9 different hormones they have had me on.

Janel...."Sure ya wanna hear my Story???" Only Kidding!!:)It was a bit of a struggle, to say the least!!  I had to stop HRT "Cold Turkey!"  I was beginning to have sooooooo many problems with breakthrough bleeding....yeast infections......headaches, (started up again).....mood swings and huge anxiety attacks, (which I never had before).......the doctors finally realized that my body was starting to reject HRT....all kinds!!  It was so bad I had to just STOP the hormones!!!  I don't recommend anyone doing it that way, if at all possible!!  It threw my whole body out of whack for about 2 months!! Had the shakes.......anxiety attacks became panic.....insomnia......halucinations, etc., etc.  I was in hormone withdrawals!!Once I got over the rough spots...(took Xanax to cope)....then I was OK!!  Like I said 3 months later I had one more (very normal) period.......and that was that!!  Since, however.....I've been going through the meno symptoms.....probably all 34 of them.....but, I don't regret stopping the hormones!!  At least now I know, where I'm at......and, it is getting better!!The experts say if you go on HRT and stop, you can go through meno again.  I believe that was the case with me!  Other women have said the same thing!!If I had one piece of advice to give you......it would be....wean....wean....wean off the hormones!!  It won't shock the body and you may not even experience the drastic meno symptoms like I did!!You're right when ya say it's hard to tell, what's meno and what isn't.....cuz, you can't....the body has been fooled!! I've been on several different types...kinds....dosages of hormones too!!  Gosh Sakes!!  What's a Body to think!?!?! :confused:

Anyhow....hoped that helped a little! If you have any questions...feel free....and I'm sure there's a few other gals out who can share a few stories as well!!!

(((((Hugs from a Canadian Chick))))                   Nancy :cool:

Thanks snowbird, Yes I just went through allot of that in May when my hormones were changed from strong to weaker. I am proud to say I only missed 2 days of work, of course I dont really remember the other ones lol.I dont have the severe problems you had but I am having allot of problems on hormones and am so tired of changing all the time and going through the side affects. My dr. told me to stop cold turkey and I laughed at her.Of course she is one of these doctors that believe you will shrivel up and die without hormones Thank You so much for your story, and yes I have started tapering off 1/4th pill at a time. I pray to be hormone free soon even though I may be sorry I will be able to see where my real self is after 8 years. Thanks Again

Aw....My dear.....you sure sound like I did, almost 2 years ago!!

YOU GO GIRL!! If you're having problems....it's YOUR body....not this *ahem* doctor's of yours....and you do what you feel comfortable with!!!

Good Golly!! *Cold Turkey* REALLY!!! Maybe she'd like to have you pop tranquilizers like they're goin out of style.....Hmmmmm!!!  Cold Turkey...is just that!! Cold Turkey...WITHDRAWALS, from hormones!!!  You get the SHAKES....you get the DREAMS.....you get the NAUSEA....you get the HALUCINATIONS!! :angry: Scary Stuff!!

You're doing good with the tapering....my friend!! Keep up the good work!! I don't think you'll regret it!!  You may go through the meno stuff to one degree or another.........BUT.......((((I'll tell you something))))))  What got me through the tuff-stuff....was **THIS SITE** Not the doctors....not my family....not my friends....but the gals on this site!!  They held my hand....walked me through the tuff days....and VOILA....I'm here!!  I'm OK!!  You will be too!!

(((((God Luv ya and huggers))))))                  Nancy

Hi, Snowbird and Janel,

I've started weaning myself off Prempro.  My doctor doesn't really agree with it, but I don't like the problems I've been haveing since starting on it.  I didn't really think I needed to take anything, but the doctor "insisted" that I did, and at the time I was too much of a walking disaster to argue with him.  Since I've been on it though, I've started spotting (I haven't had a period for over 2 years), having night sweats (which I'd never had before), VERY sore breasts, weight gain (almost 15 pounds in 6 months), and just recently, swelling in my legs and feet at the end of the day.  It also has done nothing to help the palps and dizziness and shaking.  The only good things that I've noticed since I've been on the hormones are nice eyebrows (I've always had thin, pale eyebrows, but now they're much fuller and prettier), and great fingernails (I've always had really brittle nails that break very easily, but since the Prempro, they've gotten quite long, and they don't break)!!! I decided that I've lived without eyebrows and fingernails for 50 years, so I probably don't need them now

I started taking the Prempro every other day for a month, and now I'm only taking it every second day.........my breasts aren't nearly as sore, and my legs aren't swelling anymore...........my nails have started breaking off, but...I still have my eyebrows :cheesy: :cheesy: :cheesy:

By the end of summer I should be off the hormones completely.  I haven't noticed any adverse effects, and I'll be so happy to have one less pill to take!!!!!!!

Love and hugs :cheesy: Ann