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[englishrose]

I have had two cycles of oestrogel & 100 uro x7 and still have not had a bleed. I have also put on 9lb since starting hrt 6 months ago and it keeps coming!

[Dancinggirl]

englishrose - sadly as we get older we simply have to eat less.  I actually to put on more weight when not on HRT  - I seem to gain around my hips and tummy, loose muscle strength and everything goes 'more saggy'. At least on HRT I have more energy, exercise more, so I'm generally fitter.  However I have to avoid the sweet stuff as much as possible and do smaller portions of every meal. 
My sister-in-law is doing the 5/2 diet (eat what you like for 5 days in a week and then eat next to nothing for 2 days!!) which seemed to work for her for a while but she is now gaining a lot around her mid section.  I prefer to eat less generally and maybe 2 days a week have a wicked treat or two. I walk a great deal and my work involves walking and climbing stairs. It is still a struggle to keep the waistline - when I do really loose weight now it's only on the areas I'd like to keep some fat, it's never off my tummy

Stellajane - It would be great if the licensed sequi regime resulted in little or no bleeding - we'll see!! Dg x

[Dancinggirl]

Took 200mg dose of Utro orally last night. Slept really, really well which was fab.  I did have vivid dreams, slightly sleepy this morning but that's OK - better than lying awake with a burning fanny. I definitely woke feeling very chilled and good!!!! The burning and lower tummy cramp (which I think was to do with my bladder being aggravated by the Utro used vaginally) has all gone.  Clearly using it vaginally does not suit everyone. I did read a study somewhere that was done on vaginal use, it did say that many will get issues with bladder and bowels when using the Utro this way.
It will be interesting to see when the bleed starts and what it will be like.
Off for a brisk long walk with the dog now - a good nights sleep makes so much difference.  Dg x

[Night_Owl]

DG, I would not survive on 200mg, the cumulative effect after a few days would be too much.  I'm one of those who doesn't do well on Utrogestan 100mg - severe prog intolerance, so none are going to be good.  Vag-route slightly more bearable but it does create other issues (bladder) - also just goes to show how it DOES get absorbed systemically and act onbrain/neurotransmitters when used vag. 

You can't help wishing there was more scope.  I'd also like to try the unattainable Dydrogesterone. 

As mentioned on here many times before, it's always about looking for the 'least bad' progesterone option for the individual.

Re: Studd's 7 days per month for progesterone intolerant women - makes me think.  There has to be something about the 'cumulative effect' that happens after this amount of usage? They must know from research that more than this creates more intolerance.  I know in my experience, at around 7 days use is when the bad effects/depression really sets in.

Off to rummage around the net re: Dydrogesterone.

[Cassie]

Does anyone else find the Utro gives them very tender lumpy boobs....

[Dancinggirl]

Yep, my boobs get tender when on the Utro, although this settled when I took it continuously.  Taking 100mg daily was great for a while but I got itchy skin and started to get more spots on my face - these things plus the erratic bleeding have made me go back to trying the sequential way of using Utro. DG x

[englishrose]

I am getting older that is true but I think going from 8.7 to 9.2 in a short space of time is quite extreme.  I do think it is the hrt

[Dancinggirl]

I do think fluid retention can be more of an issue when on HRT - I definitely feel more 'plumped up' on HRT - slightly more rounded in the right areas instead of my tummy and mid drift as I tend to be when not on HRT.  As I have had nearly 25 years of being both on and off HRT since my mid 30s, I really notice the differences - with all things there are compromises but as long as the benefits outweigh the risks and side effects then a few compromises are worth putting up with.  I do think things settle though once the body adjusts to the hormones and I find it easier to exercise and watch what I eat when on HRT. When I'm off HRT I get horrible headaches and the lack of sleep makes me crave carbs so it's much tougher. Since going back on HRT 3 weeks ago, after a 2 month break, I am now able to really reduce the amount I'm eating - grabbing a handful of seeds between meals instead of a biscuit - a week of this has already produced results as my trousers are feeling a little less tight!!!!  
BTW - my second night of taking 200mg of Utrogestan orally was great. I woke at 6.30 am and dozed for an hour and felt really perky when I did get up - so much better than when I used it vaginally. Dg x

[Tinkerbellj]

Help just been prescribed this regime after 18 months of asking. I am on day 16 of a normal non hrt cycle. Haven't had hrt for 3 months. Last period was 2 weeks late for the first time ever! Usually regular. My dr said wait until next period then start with the oestrogen and take progesterone from day 15-26. I am so tempted to just start now. But should I wait?  She did say of it looked like my period wasnt appearing on  time just to start with the oestrogen and count that as day one. Probably a rhetorical question as I don't have the gel etc yet and prob wont get it til monday fro. My gp now! So excited really hope this finally works

[Keepgoing]

Tinkerbell I would wait if your still having a cycle but if it doesn't come on the day you expect then start then...I delayed taking utro this month cause I had a week off but my own cycle started one day after starting utro so I have had a longer bleed 😟 Xx

[englishrose]

My scan was ok but there may be pelvic venous congestion so I am to stop hrt until I have my next scan so will have to be looking at alternative options

[englishrose]

I can still use Vagifem so that's good so looking at other things I can do. Pelvic venous congestion is like varicose veins in your pelvis. Had it prior to children. I thought my pelvic pressure was being caused by it but they couldn't find it so tried the hrt route. It turned out it was hiding behind my inverted uterus. It may fade after menopause as it is 'fed' by oestrogen. My other problem is twitching pressure in my face which may be from clenching and I know have a clicking neck after physio which is making me miserable

[Trufflecat]

Has anyone tried using an extra pump of oestrogel in response to feeling pmt ish? If so, did it help and how many days did you do it for?

[Keepgoing]

Anyone else on this regime losing their hair, I'm hoping its just coincidence and due to peri it was gonna fall out anyway and maybe it will take time to grow back...I'm lucky I had very thick hair but I would say I have lost at least a third of it and my hairdresser says I have defo lost hair x

[anais]

Thank you to Dancinggirl for your reply to my "how to apply Estrogel" question. Apologies for not replying sooner, I haven't logged in for a wee while.

Just to update, my oestrogen levels were about 250-260 at one month after using Estrogel at 2x pumps per day so I seem to be absorbing it OK.

The downside is that my vitamin D levels were at a shockingly low 24; deficiency is less than 30 using the units that my hospital lab uses, I know there is another unit of measurement, but this was my result in "new money" (for those of us old enough to remember "old money" lol).  But I was pretty shocked at this as my previous measurements were in the optimal range and as I have been prescribed HRT for osteoporosis it's not good news. I have been taking 800 IU daily as advised by my menopause consultant for the past 3-4 weeks but the doc I saw today for gastro probs suggested a high dose on prescription.

Just out of interest, I went to pick up my prescription today and was given "OEstrodose" instead of Estrogel. It's identical in composition and made by Besins, the same manufacturer as Estrogel. It's in a different shaped container, still with a pump and the same dosage, and the text on the outside is all in French with an English label stuck on. At first I wasn't sure about it, but none of the local pharmacies have the Estrogel UK brand, just this French/Euro OEstrodose, so I didn't have a choice.