Confusion around Estrogen patch use in perimenopause
(45 yrs). I have been on combined vaginal and oral progesterone for a couple of years to help with #perimenopausal symptoms. I was very much estrogen dominant during that time. A few months back my #progesterone levels finally stabilized to a better level, but at the same time my menstrual cycle disappeared and my #estrogen had dropped to a level where the dr felt that needed to be treated too (I do have symptoms of low E like dry skin/hair/vaginal discomfort).
I have now been on the Patch for a month. What confuses me now is… is my menses supposed to return at some point? Or is this just the start to pre-menopause?
Am I supposed to stop using the patch and my progesterone around the time I think my cycle is supposed to come or do I keep using it and only stop if a period begin? If I am supposed to stop #HRT every cycle, how do you even know when that would be? I haven’t had a cycle since March.
I would love to ask my doctor but I don’t really trust that she would even know anything about this based on how little they’re taught about this stage in our lives. I have been using a private practitioner who had additional training in menopause but with the cost of living I just can’t afford to keep seeing her or to book another appointment to ask these questions.