Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Blue Poppy]

Hi, just joined the forum.
I have been having hot flushes and night sweats for about 9 months. Lately been more anxious, panicky, loss of concentration and forgetful, along with general muscle aches.
Spoken to my GP recently as my IUD needs changed. She has suggested the Mirena coil with Oestrogen patches to cover contraception and HRT.
Wondering what experience others have had with this combination?

[Dancinggirl]

Hi and Welcome Blue Poppy
If you have been using an IUD (Mirena) before and found it good then the Mirena with either an oestrogen patch or Oestrogel would be a good option. You could start with a low dose patch and increase to a higher dose patch if need be. 
Oestrogel (which is applied daily to the inner thighs or arms) can be a good option because you have more control on dosage - you can start by using one pump per day for a few weeks and increase to 2,3 or even 4 pumps gradually over weeks or even months till you feel you have the right amount each day to alleviate the symptoms. I used Oestrogel throughout my peri and post meno and found it excellent - through my peri stage I only used one pump and then increased as i needed more in post meno. I never used more than 2 pumps per day - some women need more - we are all different.
Good luck  DG x

[Blue Poppy]

Thanks for that. Not had mirena before, it is a copper IUD I have, so I understand you can get spot bleeding for up to 6 months with it. Have others experienced this?

One of my friends used oestrogen gel and found it worked well for her as she could regulate the dose. Like me she suffers from migraines and found too high a dose brought them on.
Has anyone else had increased frequency of migraines with HRT? I really don't what any more of them than I already get!

[Dancinggirl]

yes, you would probably get some bleeding with the Mirena for the first few months but it tails off to spotting quite quickly and then only the very occasional spotting after that.  I think Oestrogel is good for migraine sufferers and I would definitely try to keep your dose low.  It tends to be the progesterone that gives headaches not the oestrogen, so another reason for  using the Mirena as the absorbsion of progesterone is localised and not going through the liver.
While you are peri (which I'm assuming you are) the Mirena also gives you contraceptive protection.  hope this is helpful  DG x

[Blue Poppy]

Thanks DG, very helpful. Given me some more food for thought!
Will ask my Dr about using the gel rather than a patch. x
 

[Hurdity]

Hi BluePoppy

Sudden increase in oestrogen dose is known to (temporarily) cause headaches in some women so always best to increase gradually. Side effects such as this should settle as the body adjusts the the new level..

Hurdity x

[Blue Poppy]

Thank you, I will bear that in mind. Good to know that I may get headaches but they should settle. Always easier to deal with if you are prepared for them.
x

[Suzyq]

Blue poppy I have been on hrt for 8 weeks and am having many ups and downs which I hope will settle. For me, the very first thing to go was the anxiety and panic, and I had them both very bad! For that alone, I would not go back! I was actually afraid to be alone in my own house and that has completely gone!! Good luck with your decision xxx

[Blue Poppy]

Thanks, glad it is helping you, hopefully it will me too. Had really bad panic attack last night for no reason and struggled to calm down, despite trying to do all the things you should ie breathing control, distraction, relaxation. When you get like that it is very difficult to get yourself to remember what you are suppose to do!!!
Blue Poppy