Print

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

[Waterdaggers]

I'm 42 and after having a blood test showing high FSH I've been prescribed evorel sequi by my GP. She says this is recommended due to my younger age and the risk of osteoporosis. I'm not having any hot flushes just feel tired all the time, emotional, lacking in motivation and have had some knee problems. Oh and irregular periods which is why I had the blood test. I'm not sure if these generalised symptoms are related or not so my fear is that HRT could make me feel worse not better. I already suffer from migraines so might expect these to be aggravated. I'm also quite concerned about the weight gain. I work as a personal trainer so its important to me not to gain too much weight and look incompetent at my job. Also was wondering about the dose and whether half a patch might be more suitable since I am under 8 stones and of a small build. Any advice would be really appreciated. Is Evorel Sequi a good HRT or is it known to produce more side effects?

[Dancinggirl]

Waterdraggers - welcome to MM
You do really need HRT as you are too young to be oestrogen deficient. Do read up all the info on this site to get clued up.  I would try the HRT you have been given - is it patches or pills?  If it's patches then this is sometimes better for those who suffer with headaches.  I had a premature meno and one of my meno symptoms was an increase in headaches - the HRT can reduce hormonal headaches generally.
Finding a HRT that suits you will be trial and error so do look under TREATMENTS at the top of this site to see your options - we are all different so we share our experiences here on MM and what works for one women may not work for another.  Keep an open mind, give this HRT 3 months to settle and do it's magic - you may be surprised how quickly you start to feel better.  I had to try a variety of HRT combos before finding the right thing but for you HRT is a must if you want to protect your heart and bones and also prevent vaginal atrophy and bladder problems.
BTW - don't worry about weight gain - HRT can actually help you to keep your figure - as oestrogen decreases then it becomes harder to maintain muscle strength  - on HRT you tend to have more energy so it's easier to keep in shape.  However, as we hit meno we all have to watch what we eat as the weight will pile on whether we use HRT or not.
Keep us posted.  DG xxx

[CLKD]

 

I haven't put on weight in recent years.  In the late 1990s as my dog got older we both slowed down, I put on nearly 1 stone as she aged which took 14 months to shift - I borrowed a puppy every day  .  From 7st 5 I went to 8st 2lb and have remained thus since 2004. 

As we age, oestrogen levels drop so muscles become lax.  About 15 months ago my apron suddenly dropped  so my belly is no longer firm.  . So although I look 'fatter' I haven't put on weight, it has redistributed - bugga. >sigh<. 

Have a read round.  Make notes.  HRT can protect heart and bones.  It can ease symptoms.  Some ladies find that keeping a mood/food/HRT diary can help keep an eye on variations. 

"suffer" from migraines ……. have you had treatment for this?  Also, headaches and hunger can be caused if the body is dehydrated  - do you have any triggers?

Ask away. 

[CLKD]

……. and do be aware of vaginal atrophy  - if you begin to experience the need to wee more often with symptoms of urine 'infections', get a sample sent away to a Lab. via your GP/Practice Nurse and don't be fobbed off with anti-biotic therapy unless there is infection 'grown' in the sample.  Many GPs don't recognise VA symptoms which can mimic 'infections' 

[Hurdity]

Hi Waterdaggers

 

I agree with the others - maybe change your HRT type? Sounds like Femseven is a good one! I started on Evorel sequi and it didn't agree with me - but many women find it fine otherwise it wouldn't still be available!

The other alternative as you are so young is to switch to one of the HRT-like contraceptive pills such as Qlaira or Zoely. These will suppress your natural cycle and prevent the major hormonal fluctuations which occur during peri-menopause. I have no idea whether the progestogens in these pills cause bloating as there are only a few women on here who use them.

I can only echo Rockhoppers comments re diet. I am 63 - way older - but I have to be on quite a strict diet just to stay the same weight! I've been on HRT for 9 years but my metabolism has slowed. Like rockhopper we cook everything from scratch - but I eat fairly low fat as well as lowish carb, and I go to exercise classes 3 x per week. I also need to look OK for my (part-time) job - which involves standing in front of large groups of people so I know about the need to be constantly aware of your weight and appearance.

I also developed migraines for the first time in late reproductive stage - while periods were still regular but changes in hormones had begin and pms became much worse. I still used to get a monthly migraine when starting HRT but I was used to that anyway -  they were no worse. Now I get them less often but randomly, not linked to HRT - but sometimes to alcohol, or tiredness or eg driving into bright sunlight for several hours.

Hurdity x

[Waterdaggers]

Thanks everyone for your replies. It seems like I don't really have a choice but to give it a go given my age. I actually feel so miserable about it as I never anticipated I would be going through this at this age. It's not something I had even thought about or knew anything about! I have always been against taking medication of any kind and now I have to get my head round taking a medication until I'm at least 50. None of my friends are going though this and I just feel alone and old before my time :-(.

I'm pretty certain it won't agree with me as I have never been able to take the pill due to strong side effects. I would love to not even have to try Evorel Sequi as it seems many say the progestogen part is a nightmare. I just feel like I don't have the time to have the extra pressure of dealing with side effects right now. But I don't think my GP will give me Femseven without trying the other patch first so I've decided to try half a patch starting from today and see how it goes.

[Hurdity]

Hi Waterdaggers - try not to think of HRT as medication - it is not like a drug, but as it says - hormone replacement therapy - it is replacing what has become deficient before it should in your case. The progestogen is synthetic but hopefully you will feel OK on it. Half a patch is a very small amount of extra oestrogen but at least you will then build up gradually. At your age and as you progress towards menopause you will likely need a much higher dose of oestrogen so then perhaps think of a different type?

Incidentally at your age - are you opposed to tablet HRT because Femoston contains a progestogen that is well tolerated by many women and comes in two doses?

Hooe you feel better soon

Hurdity x

[Dancinggirl]

I agree with Hurdity - try to be positive about the HRT.  HRT is very different to The Pill and is not a medicine but simply replacing the hormones you should be making yourself.  Also, don't expect to get horrid side effects as it will be bio identical oestrogen in this product, so the same as you would produce naturally - you should feel great on this stuff .  The progesterone can sometimes be a problem but again we are all different and it's about finding the progesterone that suits you.  As Hurdity says - if the patches don't suit you then I would definitely try Femoston 1/10 as she suggested - OR - Oestrogel with separate progesterone as either Provera or Utrogestan.
I had a premature meno and people didn't understand why I was on HRT - I was lucky because I had a very clued up GP at the time - too many women are just told to ‘ride the storm' even when they have early ovarian failure.  Count yourself lucky that your doctor is going to help you through this time. 
Good luck  Dg x

[soniad]

Hi Waterdaggers,

I just wanted to add that like you, I could never take the pill due to side effects, but I seem to be doing well on HRT.

I'm using Estradot patches and Utrogestan.

[tbooth301]

hello , im new to this site and no idea how to post stuff so hope this goes through ok!
i'm 44 and seem to have started all this about 2 years ago , started with really bad night sweats and now havent had a period since feb , this happened last year only had a couple . doc did blood tests last yr and the fsh was about 60 but she said this can fluctuate.
the flushes are awful , feel like my head is going to blow off! , started to feel reaaly panicky about 6 weeks ago but my dad is very ill so think its linked, ive started taking st johns wort so see if that helps everything , also take oil of p, omega fish oils and menoforce , dont really want to take hrt and doctor hasnt sugested it yet! get headaches aswell , i worry constantly about things , even more than i use to. must admit flushes better now weather has cooled down

[Waterdaggers]

Hi Tbooth, I think you would get more replies if you started a new thread. However from what I have read so far, at your age you're in the same position as me and need to be on HRT. Losing oestrogen at such a young age is just too detrimental to your bone density. I feel the same and don't really want to be taking HRT either but neither do I want to be going through menopause at 42! If you're having such intense hot flushes as well then HRT could really help you. If I was you I'd go back to your doctor (preferably a female one) and discuss it further. All the experts in the field recommend HRT if you start menopause before 45.

[Waterdaggers]

Hi Waterdaggers,

I just wanted to add that like you, I could never take the pill due to side effects, but I seem to be doing well on HRT.

I'm using Estradot patches and Utrogestan.

Hi Soniad,

Thanks for replying. Were you given that specific HRT treatment straight away? I would have much preferred something like that than what I have been given. Have you noticed any effect from the HRT at all?

[Waterdaggers]

Hi Waterdaggers - try not to think of HRT as medication - it is not like a drug, but as it says - hormone replacement therapy - it is replacing what has become deficient before it should in your case. The progestogen is synthetic but hopefully you will feel OK on it. Half a patch is a very small amount of extra oestrogen but at least you will then build up gradually. At your age and as you progress towards menopause you will likely need a much higher dose of oestrogen so then perhaps think of a different type?

Incidentally at your age - are you opposed to tablet HRT because Femoston contains a progestogen that is well tolerated by many women and comes in two doses?

Hooe you feel better soon

Hurdity x

Thanks Hurdity. I did ask for a patch as I am terrible at remembering to take tablets and also have quite a sensitive stomach. Doc did say a patch would reduce the risk of blood clots as well. I think I will stick with the half patch for now and increase it if I get no bad side effects. I'm really dreading the progestogen part of the treatment!!

[Dancinggirl]

tbooth301 - welcome to MM
You've had a tough time you poor thing and your GP is frankly being negligent.  Ask if there is a GP at your practice who is specialising in menopause and if not, see the GP again to ask for a referral to a gynae or menopause clinic.

You are very young to be low on oestrogen and your GP is quite wrong - you need to print out the New NICE guidelines (he/she needs to read thereto get up to speed) -  (you can find these new guidelines on the NHS Choices website) and write out you symptoms and questions and then insist you try some HRT - ask for the referral if they are still reluctant.  Ask fro something like Femoston 1/10 to start with as this is one that is more likely to suit you (it has a kinder progesterone).  Do explain that you know that oestrogen deficiency at your age may well result in early osteoporosis and heart disease and also possible bladder and vaginal atrophy problems, so you understand that HRT is the advised treatment for premature menopause -  as set out in these NEW NICE guidelines.
Good to be taking Omega oils and a few supplements but try to eat well and get some exercise like brisk walking.
HRT is what you need and would be helpful through this difficult time, both physically and emotionally and would benefit your health for the long term.  Keep posting. DG x

[Dancinggirl]

Waterdaggers - don't worry about changing the HRT type at this stage - if you start to look for problems they are more likely to happen.  There is a good reason that the patches you have been given are on the market - they suit many women extremely well.  HRT does have some compromises and what suits one women will often not suit another.
Many women on MM are using Utrogestan as the progesterone part of their HRT regime but for me  Utrogestan gave far more problems than the more standard progesterones.  We share our experiences here on MM and some of us can be quite forceful about what women should or shouldn't use regarding HRT - so read the posts, keep an open mind, enjoy the benefits of HRT and reassess after 3 months. You said you have trouble remembering to take tablets so the these combined patches are a good option for you.  If these patches do give too many side effects and not enough benefits then try something different - chopping and changing can cause all kinds of problems and end up with many women abandoning HRT altogether - which is a shame. DG x