Hi Mary G,
Apologies for the delayed reply.
I am taking 1.5mg oestradiol gel everyday. Sometimes up to 2 mg if feel bit brain fuzzy. I'm also taking Thyroxine 25mcg, and take 100 mg Utrogestan days 15-26 (vaginal insertion). Starting Estriol cream 0.01% for vaginal dryness.
Things seem to be getting ok re mood. Therapy, holiday and lots of tender loving self care; meditation and positivity app (Happify), are helping.
However, during holiday last month and generally when drinking lots of water I noticed increased urge to urinate, and leakage as just as about to sit on loo.
Been to GP, hv had treatment for cystitis, but now been told it could be overactive bladder. Feel damp change knicks around 2-3x a day, and feel stingy/sore.
Been given leaflet for bladder training.
Would it be vaginal insertion of Utrogestan being the cause?
I used to do a lot of Pilates to strengten mid-section & pelvic floor but stopped exercise due to other spine issues. Pity the Pilates has not had long term effects.
Any ideas to improve this situation?
Thanks a lot
Chikabee.
Chikabee, what type/dose of oestrogen are you taking and how much Utrogestan? I have been on HRT for about 9 years and I was post menopause by the time I was your age.
From my own personal experience, it is vital to get the oestrogen/progesterone ratio right and I have found that if I take too much progesterone, it has a drag factor, brings down my mood and drowns out all the positive effects of the oestrogen - it also causes migraines but that is another issue.
Through trial and error, I have also found that I need high blood levels of oestrogen to feel good i.e. be well into the 700s. Anything less than that is useless for me and I feel half baked and not quite there.
It has taken me years to find the right HRT regime but since starting the Professor Studd regime of Oestrogel/Utrogestan/Testosterone, I don't have any menopause symptoms and feel roughly the same as I did aged 30 even though I am 55. If you still have menopause symptoms or don't feel as good as you think you should then you probably need to adjust the dose or change your regime altogether. If you still feel depressed with higher levels of oestrogen you could then consider taking ADs but my advice would be to rule out low oestrogen first.