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[-MaryKate21]

Hello all

I have been on Femiston-Conti 1mg/5mg for almost 5 years. I am 55. Menopause symptom free, no real problems apart from weight gain. Significant weight gain since age 50 ( 20kg) despite regular exercise, boot camps, diet etc.

So went to see a new GYN, who would like me to come off the HRT. She believes we should all be off HRT by the time we are 60.
She would like me to consider having a Mirena coil fitted and using Estrogen creams/ gels.

I am not sure.

I am happy on the HRT apart from being fat.

I am worried that the new coil and estrogen will not keep me asymptomatic ( which I currently am).

I have not had a period for 5 years and am worried that maybe, they could reappear.

I also  believe that if I agree to come off HRT, I will not find a clinician who would be willing to recommence it, should I so wish.

Really don't know what to do. ....

Have any ladies also done this? Any advice please.

MK

[dazned]

 

If all your symptoms are under control on femoston then dont be swayed to change . Not sure why she thinks to change to mirena and estrogen gel as this too is hrt so no logic there !
If it aint broke........... ! And the new thinking is you dont have to stop at 60 if there is no physical issue. Maybe try to revisit the weight issues ,Im afraid its hard to shift as our metabolism slows down ,its adjusting to smqller portions more than faddy diets unfortunately.

[Dancinggirl]

Hi and welcome to MM
Not sure why the gynae wants you to change if you are doing OK on current HRT??? Very odd?? I tend to agree with dazned.
Also, if you are doing fine on HRT and don't have health issues then it should be your choice whether to come off HRT now or even at 60. Some gynaes are more cautious, particularly if a women is overweight, smokes or drinks too much alcohol, however, if you do wish to continue with HRT past 60 you may find you need to go privately to get it prescribed.  NHS gynaes and GPs worry about the risks more but provided you are fully aware of risks then it should be your decision.

Having said this, The Mirena can be a good option as far less progesterone is circulating round the body and may be deemed slightly less of a risk regarding Breast cancer than a combined pill.  You would simply use oestrogen as patch or gel and in the amount that would keep your meno symptoms under control so you would not feel any different than you do now.
If you have been on conti HRT then you are deemed post meno so you are unlikely to get periods again naturally although if you stop HRt there can sometimes be some withdrawal bleeding for a few days.

I had a Mirena at the age of 53 for 4 years, used Oestrogel everyday, and it was the best option for me at that time.  You could reassess things at 59 and possibly see a different gynae or go privately to get more specialist advice.

I'm afraid being a bit overweight may be your biggest issue as, I believe, this increases your risk of BC more than the HRT - I'm afraid we all have to permanently eat less to keep weight under control - you are not alone with this struggle. Diets and boot camps are not the way to go: Lots of brisk walking everyday, reduce portion sizes by at least a third and cut out as much sugar as possible - not just for a short while but permanently.

Hope that helps a bit?  Keep posting  DG x

[Hurdity]

Hi -MaryKate21

  from me too.

I agree with what's been said the HRT - I presume you are not in UK as we don't have oestrogen cream here? Gel would be good though but if you are happy on what you are using then why change? In UK we have recent Guidelines which don't give any age for stopping and it is supposed to be an informed decision between patient and docs.

Also I agree about your weight - the best thing you can do for your health is to get this under control. You will be best reducing carbs and refined foods too, as well as extra unnecessary fats, and walking is great exercise

Let us know what you decide.

Hurdity x

[fluffyfittall]

hello,

I am also being asked to consider changing from Femoston 2/10 to the mirena and gel or patch, I have happily been on femosotn 2/10 for 2 years but recwbrkt have been bleeding when starting the 2nd phase (progesterone) I was changed to femoston conti and had all my symptom reappear, night sweats, insomnia, anxiety, so Dr said the oestragen was too low so tried me on Eleste duet conti and she thought the dygesterone of Femoston was maybe not enough< I didn't do well on the Elleste, severe bloating mood swings etc, so back to Dr, who has refereed me to have a Mirena under GA as my cervix will not dilate for her to fit it. in th emeantime I am back on the femoston 2/10, feel fabulous, no sideeffects at all except, once again on the 3rd week starting the progesterone I have started to bleed again!!!! so it looks like I will have the Mirena and gel or patch. its such a pain as apart from th ebleeding I feel fantastic and hoping that the mirena and gel?patch will leave me feeling as good???

[Dancinggirl]

Hi fluffyfittall - you are getting good advice.  The Mirena may well give the regime you need as it protects the womb lining really well and around 60% of women get little or no bleeding after the first few weeks.  Some bleeding and spotting is quite normal to start with after fitting and you may find you get an initial progesterone hit but this settles quite quickly.  The other plus of the Mirena is that you can use as little or as much oestrogen as you need to keep the meno flushes under control.  Oestrogen patches or Oestrogel are good to use alongside.

This HRT combo is really popular and I was told that over 90% of women you have the Mirena fitted find it really good. When I had the Mirena with Oestrogel it was the best HRT regime I every had. Good luck. Dg x