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[Gaynoranne]

Hi Ladies

I am 51 yrs old and haven't had a period since 2003 (uterus ablation).  Had loads of problems with the pill in my youth so much so that I decided to get sterilised.  About a year ago I started to experience the usual problems with night sweats and sleep deprivation and that horrible brain fog! Referred to the menopause clinic at which I was advised to try Evorel Conti. Not having had any kind of PMS for years I now find that I am getting all the symptoms of periods, spotty, miserable and bloating.  I also have now started waking up again after a couple of hours sleep, not able to 'drop' off again and also, on occasion, restless legs....to top it all off I have put about a stone on and have no interest in sex whatsoever! I do feel for my OH not sure who is suffering more! What do I do? considering coming off the HRT...Anyone have any suggestions?

Gaynoranne

[Hurdity]

Hi Gaynoranne

 

I would suggest changing to a different type of HRT. The one you are on gives continuous progestogen - the synthetic norethisterone - which is notorious for causing pms type problems for some women. Also it could be that you need a higher dose of oestrogen than you are getting from the Evorel.

In your position I would go for a separate oestrogen and progesterone. Oestrogen patches come in different strengths so you could graudally increase a little and see if that helped.

Is there any reason not to try a cycle again - re your ablation? If not then I would just start this for a few cycles ( not sure if you would then get a bleed?) - then you would know whether the progestogen was causing the pms symptoms.

I recommend Utrogestan which is bio-identical to our own progesterone, so less likely to cause side effects that you wouldn't normally get in the natural cycle, and if you are lucky, then nothing negative either.

All the different types of HRT are in the green menu on the left under HRT preparations

Hope this helps!

Hurdity

[jo61]

 Hurdity I am 52 have tried elleste duet 1mg which made me phsyco ,I have dreadful meno symptoms no sleep, excessive bleeding, sweats, excessive mood swings and anxiety also depression. Most days don't feel like I can function at all. my doctor believes as long as a woman has periods she is not in menopause. I got a prescription off the very reluctant practice nurse who is acting vague to my requests to try alternative HRT. I would like to try the patches that you are on which I think is Estradot and utrogetran, when I asked she looked in her little book and said she couldn't give me these because they weren't listed . When I told her that I had been watching this forum with interest she just rolled her eyes How can I get some cooperation from my surgery there isn't a menopause clinic in our area what does anyone suggest 

[Gaynoranne]

Hi Hurdity

Thanks for your reply!  I have read with interest your recommendations of utrogestan and was thinking of going to the doctors to ask about it.  At the moment I have lost all my mojo and can't even be bothered to get up and go to work! Will the increased estrogen make any difference to how I feel?  What are your thoughts on Livial or should I ask about testosterone....

Gaynoranne

[Hurdity]

Hurdity I am 52 have tried elleste duet 1mg which made me phsyco ,I have dreadful meno symptoms no sleep, excessive bleeding, sweats, excessive mood swings and anxiety also depression. Most days don't feel like I can function at all. my doctor believes as long as a woman has periods she is not in menopause. I got a prescription off the very reluctant practice nurse who is acting vague to my requests to try alternative HRT. I would like to try the patches that you are on which I think is Estradot and utrogetran, when I asked she looked in her little book and said she couldn't give me these because they weren't listed . When I told her that I had been watching this forum with interest she just rolled her eyes How can I get some cooperation from my surgery there isn't a menopause clinic in our area what does anyone suggest

Sorry jo61 but I would forget the practice nurse (how dare she be reluctant?) and the doctor. You need to see someone who knows what they are talking about and is helpful and sympathetic. How far away is your nearest menopause clinic and can you get a referral, alternatively most definitely find a different doctor or be prepared to be somewhat outspoken!

Estradot is a standard HRT pacth - you will see it listed in the green menu on the left. So it will be listed. How dare she fob you off? Utrogestan may not be listed though so if any of them haven;t heard of it it is known as "Micronised progesterone" which is lsted. Utrogestan is the brand name given to the only licensed brand of this in the UK.

If necessary print off the info from the menu on the left.

Here for the oestrogens (scroll down for patches).

http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/treatafter.php

Here for the progestogens:

http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/to_progestogens.php

Good luck with trying something different!

Hurdity x

[Hurdity]

Hi Hurdity

Thanks for your reply!  I have read with interest your recommendations of utrogestan and was thinking of going to the doctors to ask about it.  At the moment I have lost all my mojo and can't even be bothered to get up and go to work! Will the increased estrogen make any difference to how I feel?  What are your thoughts on Livial or should I ask about testosterone....

Gaynoranne

You may find that just changing progestogen and going onto a cycle makes you feel better. I would try this before increasing the oestrogen ie I wouldn't just increase oestrogen and stay on Evorel conti.

Personally I wouldn't use Livial - but that's because I like to repalce the acutal bio-identical hormones that I need. You could ask for a testosterone test but testo replacement can be tricky to organise on NHS even if you've had a hysterectomy. Most women who go down this route are seeing private gynaes. From what I understand a small amount carefully monitored can do wonders for your "mojo" - whatever you want that to be    . Others may say something different re Livial ...

Hurdity x

[CLKD]

My GP told me that testosterone would lower my voice  .
I had restless legs until I realised that 1/5 bananas daily stopped the symptoms.

Browse round, join in!

[Gaynoranne]

Thanks for being so welcoming I have been back to the doctor and she has prescribed femseven conti to try for a month (don't know if that's long enough!) Either way it's a reduced dose of progesterone so hopefully won't feel so fed up! She wasn't very interested when I mentioned Livial or testosterone...but I hear that not many GP's are interested in those treatments! OH is monitoring the situation closely - just in case some interest develops 

Regarding restless legs... the bane of my sleepless nights...never thought to mention them to the doctor, but when I did she perked up and said that I needed a blood test...can't for the life of me remember what it's for though....mmm

Gaynoranne