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[bluerabbit]

Hello, I think it must be over a year since I last asked for help, been happily on Femoston 2mg ever since, thanks to MM. However, now I am only really feeling well on the oestrogen days, meaning for two weeks each month I am feeling rubbish, really low, insomnia etc. As soon as I start back on the oestrogen I am feeling well. What are my options? I need to be forewarned and forearmed as my GP is less than sympathetic. I am 50, started on HRT Elleste for irregular periods and devastingly low mood, changed to Femoston as Elleste at both doses didn't help me. Many thanks in advance...

[Salad]

Not sure I can be very helpful regarding your use of Femostan and it's related issues as an Oestrogen only user.
But I can say Hi  and  someone will probably be along soon to help you out

 

[ancient runner]

Bluerabbit, I'm on Femoston 1/10 and symptoms are less good on the grey tablets - but as I understand it they've all got the same amount of oestrogen in, but the second two weeks also have progesterone which may be what you are reacting to.

[MicheleMaBelle]

hi blue rabbit- sounds as if you've maybe got a progesterone intolerance. Testesterone derived progesterone in Elleste Duet is notorious for side effects in vulnerable women. The synthetic in femeston Dydrogesterone ,  is supposed to be a bit kinder but can still cause issues. Utrogestan is bio identical so might be easier tolerated although it's still not without its issues in women who have an intolerance. I've not gone down this route yet but there appear to be quite a few women on here who take it under medical supervision for shorter periods of time in order to minimise its negative effects.
It's not the prescribed basis and I understand that regular scans are required to check the thickness of the womb lining- you would probably need to get a referral to a menopause clinic or pay to see a specialist privately if your GP isn't clued up or sympathetic to this. X

[Mary G]

bluerabbit, it sounds like you are coming unstuck on the progesterone part of your regime.  This is very common and probably the main reason for HRT regimes failing.  I am severely intolerant to all types of progesterone used in HRT preparations but I can just about scrape by on a super low dose of Utrogestan (vaginally) every 5-6 weeks.  I do this under strict supervision and have regular scans and so far, the super low dose is enough for me to get good clearance/thinning which is just as well because I can't take any more progesterone than I do now.

You might need to look at a different and more flexible regime.  I use Oestrogel/Utrogestan meaning I can quickly and easily adjust the dose of each product.  You may not be intolerant to progesterone but perhaps it is drowning out the positive effects of the oestrogen and you need to take a lower dose for a shorter period of time.  Perhaps you could ask about the 7 day 100mg Utrogestan (vaginal) regime? 

[bluerabbit]

Thank you for you help, will brave the GP... but first, is anyone on the three month hrt, oestrogan every day and progestogen for 14 days in the three months? Could this be a solution? I can probably get through two weeks every three months, sounds better ther than two weeks a month.

[dazned]

I was on this regime under supervision of specialist so it is possible. The slight risk is though that your lining might build up too much causing problematic bleeding or just overthickening  in general. I had to have 6monthly scans to check on this.