*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives.

Pregnancy Breastfeeding And Fertility While Taking Continuous Combined Hrt

NHS medicines information on continuous combined HRT and whether you can take it while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Continuous combined HRT and pregnancy

Continuous combined HRT is not known to be harmful in pregnancy, but if you think you might be pregnant, stop taking it and speak to your doctor.

Levels of oestrogen and progesterone are naturally high during pregnancy and HRT is not needed.

Continuous combined HRT and breastfeeding

Most of the information about taking oestrogen and progestogen while breastfeeding comes from research into the combined contraceptive pill. The combined contraceptive pill uses different types of oestrogen. There is no information about taking combined HRT while breastfeeding.

If you are breastfeeding, combined HRT is not usually prescribed, unless a specialist recommends it.

Continuous combined HRT and fertility

Taking continuous combined HRT is unlikely to affect your fertility.

Although continuous combined HRT contains progesterone it does not act as contraception.

Even if you think that you have gone through the menopause, there's a small chance that you could become pregnant. You are advised to use contraception for at least 1 year from your last period if you are over 50 and for 2 years if you are under 50. Discuss this with your doctor or family planning practitioner.

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
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