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[GypsyRoseLee]

I'm using 4 pumps + 100mg Utrogestan x 7 days + blob of testim gel every day. This is to surpress ovulation, because I was suffering terribly with peri anxiety and depression. I'd always struggled with PMS and then PND after my baby was born, and I just couldn't cope with the hormonal fluctuations in perimenopause.

Overall, I would say this regime is about 85% successful. But after nearly 2 years on it, I still get the occasional 'dip' when all my old symptoms come back for a week or two. Though the gap between 'dips' is getting longer (2-3 months at a time).

I would love to compare notes with anyone on a similar regime, and how successful it is for them?

[Mindfulmoomins]

Hi, I am on this regime although not the testosterone (yet - I'm going to ask the menopause clinic after speaking to the lovely ladies on here). I was so encouraged that this regime had helped you (several people directed me to your posts when things got bad for me last year). I too was similarly affected by peri, pmt and pnd. I am doing ok but there does feel like there is something missing.

What happens in your dips if you don't mind me asking?

I still get pmt for a few days to a week before my period.

I am exercising, eating well, taking supplements and maca powder, meditating and doing loads to try and help myself but I miss the days when I just woke up happy without having to work so hard to stay even!

Xxx

[GypsyRoseLee]

Hi mindfulmoomins

It's interesting that we both have a history of hormonally reactive anxiety/depression. When I 'dip' I feel very flat + hopeless + feelings of dread. I often feel hungry but also nauseous, like you do in pregnancy. It wouldn't matter if I won the Lottery, I wouldn't be able to feel even slightly pleased or excited. It's really, really horrible. And the cruellest part is that each time it happens I am convinced it won't go away, which is terrifying.

Does any of that sound familiar?

[racjen]

Sounds horribly familiar to me and so far, despite oestrogen level having risen to over 1000 and managing to get thru 10 days on utrogestan 200mg, my symptoms remain pretty much the same. The anxiety is the worst...starting to feel it'll never go away 

[racjen]

I should add, mine is not to suppress my cycle cos it was well and truly suppressed by chemotherapy 18 months ago.So I don't get any natural fluctuation, I'm just the same all the time.

[GypsyRoseLee]

Really sorry to hear that racjen.

It's very likely that you're intolerant to that much Utrogestan over too many days. It will probably be negating the benefits of the high oestrogen level.

Back when I took 200mg of Utrogestan for 12 days per month, I felt no better. It was only when I changed to 100mg of Utrogestan for just 7 days per month that I improved.

I recently had a uterine scan and my lining was healthy and thin, which shows the 100mg of Utrogestan is doing its job.

[Mindfulmoomins]

Hi Gypsy,

Yes that sounds familiar. I also find that when I dip I feel like it will never shift and I feel upset that I feel low when things are so great externally.

Exercise is helping me quite a bit and some other things but I cannot wait to be out the other end to be honest!

Do you mind me asking are you still taking the ad? Also do you find anything helps you like meditation/exercise/eating well etc? Very keen to know your experiences as we have some shared history xxxx

[GypsyRoseLee]

Yes, the fear that THIS time the dip won't go away is very real at the time, and really nasty and debilitating. Keeping a diary helped a bit, so I could look back and see all the other times I had dipped, then bounced back.

Yes, I do still take sertraline. I don't know whether I still need it? I started taking it just as I also increased my oestrogen dose, and within just a day or two I started to improve. So don't know whether to contribute my recovery to the AD or the higher oestrogen, or was it a combination of both? But I'm very reluctant to stop or change anything right now.

[Mindfulmoomins]

Yes me too, I don't want to change anything either as things are manageable which is a relief. Take care xx

[racjen]

Hmmm, I think I may just take matters into my own hands and try the 7 days a month of 100 utrogestan regime - enough women on here seem to be doing Ok on it and I'm fed up with doctors.  Definitely feeling today that 10 days of 200 utrogestan has taken its toll - feeling horribly depressed, constant stomach and back ache and now just waiting for the withdrawal/bleed/feeling better bit. PLEASE.....

[GypsyRoseLee]

The regime of 100mg of Utrogestan for just 7 days per month is considered perfectly adequate for women who are severely progesterone intolerant. But you are usually advised to have regular uterine scans to check your womb lining isn't building up too much.

Though Prof Studd didn't think it necessary for me to have a scan because I wasn't having any problems with irregular bleeding. I just had a regular, very light bleed a week after finishing Utrogestan.

But for my own peace  of mind I booked an appointment at Mothercare. Most  stores have a ultra sound machine + radiographer who can do the scan for you. You can book online and it costs about £70. Despite being on 4 pumps my lining was nice and thin.

I think unless you have experienced the dreadful depression and anxiety caused by progesterone intolerance it's easy to dismiss it as just 'feeling a bit low or off'.

[Nellie Noo]

Thats really interesting about the scan ... I didn't realise mothercare offered scans . Good to know as I am really struggling with the progesterone side of hrt ...and if i could get away with 7 days .. that would be marvellous ! But nothing like peace of mind ! X

[racjen]

Thanks GRL, will do that - thanks for the tip. How many months did you leave it before having a scan? You're right - the outright despair and crippling anxiety is completely incomprehensible to most people I think - today I'm back to that feeling of my life being completely over  . i just want a break and a few days of feeling happy....x

[GypsyRoseLee]

Racjen, just hold on. This will pass. It really will.

I know exactly how you are feeling - I've just come out of a 9 day dip, my first in a few months, and it hit me like a truck. Only on Sunday I was feeling utterly hopeless and full of despair, it is always so frightening. But by Monday tea time it lifted, and now I'm back to normal.

Do you keep a diary so you can look back at the good times, and know you will come through this? It helped me to do that.

I waited about 16 months before having my scan. It was very easy to book on line and the radiographer was nice and professional. It took less than 10 minutes. Job done.

[Mindfulmoomins]

That's so interesting about getting a scan done privately, thank you.

Racjen, hold on. I know how you feel and it's the worst feeling in the world. It will pass. You are doing so well with everything you have been through and you are very much needed here on this forum xxx