His and Her Health

Can one of the doctors tell me if there is really a huge advantage to cycling hrt. I used to take 100mg progesterone every day and not have a period. For the past year and 1/2 a new dr. talked me into cycling the hormones because it was deemed safer. The ups and downs and pms are driving me crazy. I also have heavy periods not just slight ones. I have been post menopausal for 3 years now. I love the hormones but not the periods.

Dear Golidlocks,

I've consulted with one of our medical experts and here is what he has to say about your concerns:

"I would begin by asking your doctor what he or she perceives as the huge advantage of cycling HRT. I'm unaware of any huge advantage and most women prefer not to have a period (though not all feel this way). Usually the dose of progesterone is half as much with the non-cycling approach but it is taken twice as long so the total amount is the same. However, most women won't have the mood swings an occasional hot flashes and periods with the non-cycling approach.

Discuss it with your doctor, but unless they provide some real evidence for you, ask to go back on what worked well for you."


Machelle (Mache) Seibel, MD
Professor,
University of Massachusetts Medical School


I sincerely hope this answers your concern.
Good health to you and happy holidays,

Karen Giblin

Thank you for checking this out for me. I will indeed question my doctor further on the advantages, The main thing I remember him saying was that it wasn't good to be on progesterone for that long of a period with no break. Again thank you for your response and have a wonderful holiday!