I have been diagnosed with hyperplasia. ( build up of tissue in uterous from no periods) I have lower back pain that is really uncomfortable at times. My dr said this was my uterus and he has prescribed Prometrium to bring on a period. I have thus far only missed 3 periods in my descent into menopause. Anyone out there with these symptoms?
Louisa

Provo, will the Prometrium bring on a "real" period or is it just flushing out what shouldn't be there? I have symptoms pretty close to yours but since I've had the lining of my uterus stripped out (ablation) all I get is an enlarged uterus. Wish I could tell you more.

I don't know if it is a real period or not. Today was much better. I think the period is supposed to start after the 10 days dosage. I will ask my Dr. when I check back with hin in 2 weeks.

This happened to me, but ONLY because I was spotting for a couple of months...my Dr. put me on Prometrium for 10 days which brought on a "period" (he said to expect a "gusher", but it wasn't...just normal/heavy), then after that I had 3 totally normal cycles, on time, regular periods. Since then...I've skipped my first cycle in February, and now apparently in March. I don't understand why your doctor is trying to bring a period on, if you're skipping?? Isn't that what we're supposed to start doing? Unless you had a biopsy, and that's how he diagnosed the hyperplasia? I'm confused?!
I spotted for a few days last week when I "should" have had that cycle...and now a little today. I'm HOPING that this doesn't continue..if it does, then I will probably be told to do another 10 days of Prometrium. But if no spotting, and just skipping cycles, with no other symptoms...I think that's totally normal and exactly what's supposed to happen.

I have been going through the same thing, I just skipped 3 months in a row. I am using some estrogel, to help me with meno-crazies. How much prometrium were you using to bring on a period, was it 100mg or 200mg??? Could any one suggest which would work??? I am very sensitive to progesterone, as it makes me extremely tired and foggy, but am worried because I have not had a period in 3 months and am using estrogen!

Thanks, Juliann

menopause CAN still happen while you are taking hormones...the dosages on HRT are very low and unless you are producing your own hormones as well, on their own won't prevent menopause. You will still suffer from some menopausal symptoms when you go off the hormones...but certainly your periods can stop.

Juliann, if you are taking the estrogen and not cycling anymore, you should get on some progesterone right away....and you may need the pelvic ultrasound to make sure a lining hasn't built up during this time with no period. I take 100mgs of Prometrium and I am only supposed to cycle off it for a week every 6 or 9 months to see if any lining has built up.

loracear, if you have a uterine build up, it is necessary to bring on a period to shed the lining ...that build up has the potential to become cancerous if it is left unshed.

Hi Juliann,
I think I was using 200mg of Prometrium. I had enough estrogen...just zero progesterone, hence the endless spotting. Are you spotting??That was the only reason I used Prometrium. It made me sleepy, but I only took it before bedtime; I felt fine otherwise.

loracear, if you have a uterine build up, it is necessary to bring on a period to shed the lining ...that build up has the potential to become cancerous if it is left unshed.
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Floater,
Ok, this is what I don't understand. I missed my cycle in Feb and apparently in March now (except for some VERY faint spotting). Isn't that SUPPOSED to happen?? You gradually start skipping cycles,and eventually everything stops. How can you tell if you have "uterine build up"?? For how long does one "bring on a period to shed the lining"? I just thought it was when dribbling/spotting went on for awhile.
I do understand the importance of taking progestrone with estrogen however, if you still have a uterus.
Just don't fully understand the rest!

Hi Floater,

Yes, I do know that taking estrogen "only" can produce a lining. My problem started last year, I think I had to much P in my system and was told to stop taking it and let nature take it's course, in the event that I didn't get a period for a couple months straight, start taking the P again to shed. My current doctor said that taking a topical E was not as bad on the lining, so not to worry so much about building up a lining ( I REALLY questioned her on this). So, my own personal thoughts are that I should try and shed, just to be safe. I am just so sensitive to the P.

Lora,

If you are using only P, and using 200mg per day, could that be why you are spotting all the time??? You might have to much P in your system. Just a thought. When I took both E and P last year, I had lots of spotting episodes.

If you are not taking any estrogen and plan on letting your menopause come naturally, then I'm thinking that you will skip periods and have funky cycles before it all finally ends.

When I speak of cycling, it is in regards to the bioidentical hormone protocols. I hope that helps.

Juliann

Lora:

It is a confusing mass of information isn't it!! And you are right, that natural menopause usually means your periods will eventually stop!! The thing is some people end up with a lining build up even with no hormone replacement of any kind. Most doctors will do a pelvic ultasound on menopausal women, to make sure there isn't one. Because your hormone levels are so wacked out and weird and out of balance, SOME women...certainly not all!...end up with a lining that doesn't get shed when they reach menopause. If you are spotting a lot, it would be a concern, if you are not, only a little when you should be having a period...chances are you are just fine. But still, a responsible doctor should have that ultrasound done just to make sure.

Juliann, i am sorry you have such trouble with the prometrium...I sure don't...I cycled off it for 5 days to shed any possible lining, and there was none...but I started getting a return of hot flashes and didn't sleep as well. I definitely feel better taking it than not.

I am not currently taking anything. I only took 10 days of 200mg Prometrium last fall after 2 months of spotting, to bring on a period, and get rid of the lining. My doc gave me alot of refills in case it happens again. After I got back on "cycle"...I had 3 months of normal periods, then I skipped February. This month...when I "should" have had a period, I found myself spotting very slightly. Only a few days last week. This week, its the "brown stuff". ugh;)) Like the end of a period. I am waiting till next week before I call my doc to see if he wants me to take another 10-day regimen of Prometrium again. He certainly doesn't want me to wait 2 months like I did last summer! I am due for my regular checkup anyway, and he'll probably do another ultrasound. Last summer he did an endometrial biopsy,a "mini" D&C in his office,and a transvaginal ultrasound. All was ok, except for a slightly thickened lining, due to the 2 months of spotting.
I really don't want to start any HRT, as I don't feel I have any other symptoms that are bothersome. I also have 3 fibroid tumors which are FINALLY shrinking...and any estrogen that I take would cause them to grow again. I had about 3 weeks of alot of hot flashing a few weeks ago, but that has now subsided. I actually feel pretty good except for horrible pollen allergies, that are new for me!
I figure as long as I'm not bothered by symptoms, better that I can go "natural"...for now at least. I will gladly go back on the Vivelle patch, if need be, down the line.
Carol