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[lilypad]

Hi

Just joined but have been reading some posts on the forum and website for a couple of years. Bit about me. I'm 53 and started my menopause journey at 47/48. I started missing periods, which got shorter and lighter. They finally stopped just over 2 years ago. I've not used HRT but tried natural bio hormone cream for about 6 months.

I think I have escaped any major symptoms but had hot flushes regularly up until about 4months ago.  They seemed to have stopped now. (Crossed fingers!).  Suffered worse with the night sweats but these have also reduced since I started taking safe tablets. In the first 2 years I really struggled with low moods, anxiety and occasional palpitations - thought I was going bonkers.  Work became difficult but I work part-time, so struggled on.  I did mention it to my work colleagues (fortunately a small team of women) who were very sympathetic. 

I was thinking I was free and clear when I suddenly had a period 2 weeks ago! It was a shock but I saw the Dr who organised a visit for a scan and hystercopy - all clear fortunately.

Lily pad

[CLKD]

   Browse round.

[CazaD123]

Hi Ladies, this is my first post too.  I am almost 54 years old and have been on Cerazette and Venlafxine for the last 12 years or so.  I have been experiencing feeling too hot and sweating more easily for most of this time.  I always put this down to the Venlafaxine as excessive sweating is a side effect.  Anyway saw a new GP recently and mentioned I wanted to cut down on Venlafaxine because of the sweating.  It has got much worse over the last year or so.  She said she thought Menopause could be to blame.  Because of Cerazette I have had no periods for years.  She sent me for blood tests and they indicated that I am menopausal due to my FSH being very raised.  I have tried Femoston tablet form low dose, it gave me indigestion, switched to patch which gave me very tender and larger breasts (they are very big anyway!), but did nothing for the sweats/over heating.  Then she put me on Evorel Conti after having worn the patch for 4 days I could not sleep at all, was wide awake at night.  When I read side effect this was one of them.  I stopped using it and returned to the GP.  She then prescribed Clondine for me, but reading on here it is not effective for many women and the list of possible side effects I have been reluctant to take it.  Am thinking of going back to GP and asking for Utrogestan and estradiol gel after reading on here they seem to be good and effective for most ladies.  Any help or advice would be very gratefully received.  Thanks very much.

[CLKD]

It is more likely to be menopause as I believe that venlafaxine is often used to ease hot flushes.

Browse round.  make notes.

[CazaD123]

Well it is certainly not easing mine!  A common side effect is increased sweating, but thanks for the reply anyway! 

[Hurdity]

Hi CazaD123

 

Firstly what are you taking Venlafaxine for? Is it for a long term mental health condition ( you don't need to say if you don't want to!) Secondly yes it sounds like a good plan to swap the cerazette for HRT. I started HRT at your age and have never looked back - still on it 10+ years later.

It is slightly worrying that you have been feeling hot and sweaty for the last 12 years because in the absence of periods on the Cerazette you could well have been through menopause sometime ago and would really benefit from replacement oestrogen to help protect your heart and bones. Maybe you should have been offered HRT long ago rather than the Ven... if it was for menopausal symptoms?

Anyway you can remedy this now. That is a good combo (gel and utrogestan) and many women are very happy with it. The main issue can be taking utrogestan every day - gives some women side effects but some women love it (bit like the Mirena really). The other alternative is to take it cyclically (the utrogestan) and have a withdrawal bleed. Another good alternative is the Mirena coil and then you can adjust the dose of gel until you feel better. This will mean no bleeding ( except sometimes in the first few weeks as your body adjusts to getting oestrogen again). Another suggestion using the newer progestogens is Angeliq (if you've been happy taking Cerazette) which contains drospirenone.

Maybe if you get settled on HRT you can gradually come off it - the Ven... ( slowly!) if it wasn't given for a long-standing non-menopausal reason?

If you don't get on with gel there are always patches.

Hope this helps - but do ask if you need any more help

Hurdity x