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[Littlevicdon]

I started HRT Femoston 1/10 after doing a lot of research as mainly I am a runner and was finding I had no energy whatsoever and knew from experience that this was not normal. I also had other symptoms of menopause but was finding the energy one most frustrating.
I found after just 3 days of taking HRT I felt like my normal self and actually went out and ran 18 miles! I felt great for the first pack then started the second pack had a bleed and then started to feel tired again!
I haven't run due to an injury but do feel like I have no libido again (which did return at the start).
Do you think this was simply a 'rush' of hormones at the beginning and I need to wait longer for the HRT to work?
I felt great at the beginning which is a shame as it seems to have gone 

[Dancinggirl]

Hi and welcome to MM

Early days yet.  Give things more time  - the HRT should improve things within 3-6 months.  Do take is easy though and don't rush into doing too much too soon.  When meno hits it can effect so many things and you will be more prone to injury as muscle strength is often lost as oestrogen drops.

BE patient, try brisk walking instead of running as this is kinder, giving less chance of injury, but can be just as effective in the long term.
The menopause is challenging in so may ways and we do need to adjust our lives accordingly, whether we use HRT or not.  HRT will not sort everything.  DG x

[Wilks]

Hi Littlevicdon
I can totally empathise but may be able to give you some hope:
 I'm a keen cyclist and last autumn my energy suddenly dropped off a cliff (more than my usual winter dip), accompanied by loads of symptoms of low oestrogen. I was really upset at the low energy having always been very sporty and active. I was on a “starting dose” of hrt (evorel sequi patches) and it turned out in January this year after 3 or so months of hell that I was under-dosed. I was given a slightly higher dose, and after 3 months noticed some improvements in energy. I had blood tests in March which showed I also had low testosterone. I've been taking testosterone for about 6 weeks which is early days but my libido has returned along with more energy. I even rode my mountain bike 174 km off road across Wales last weekend!
I don't know how old you are or where you are in peri menopause but I'd say give it time. It takes a few months for hrt to take full effect. The day you did 18 miles was not likely due to 3 days of HRT but perhaps due to fluctuations in your own hormones?

[Hurdity]

Hi Littlevicdon

 

Also to say that tablet HRT is known to have a potentially dampening effect on libido so you might be better off with patches? Also to ask how old you are and what your cycle was doing before you started HRT as this will effect the exent to which your own hormones come into play as Wilks suggested?

Hurdity x

[Littlevicdon]

Hi Littlevicdon
I can totally empathise but may be able to give you some hope:
 I'm a keen cyclist and last autumn my energy suddenly dropped off a cliff (more than my usual winter dip), accompanied by loads of symptoms of low oestrogen. I was really upset at the low energy having always been very sporty and active. I was on a “starting dose” of hrt (evorel sequi patches) and it turned out in January this year after 3 or so months of hell that I was under-dosed. I was given a slightly higher dose, and after 3 months noticed some improvements in energy. I had blood tests in March which showed I also had low testosterone. I've been taking testosterone for about 6 weeks which is early days but my libido has returned along with more energy. I even rode my mountain bike 174 km off road across Wales last weekend!
I don't know how old you are or where you are in peri menopause but I'd say give it time. It takes a few months for hrt to take full effect. The day you did 18 miles was not likely due to 3 days of HRT but perhaps due to fluctuations in your own hormones?

HI Wilks - I am 52 and yes I am in perimenopause.  I felt great at first and more energy when running which was my biggest concern as I have a 100k coming up in July and as you know having no energy when doing sport is no fun.  I do not seem to have hot flushes or night sweats anymore which is a good sign but just felt so good at the beginning and probably my GP gave me false hope as he said the effects were instant which is why I thought I felt so good. I will continue and give it more time then if I do not feel any better will return to my GP.

[Littlevicdon]

Hi Littlevicdon

 

Also to say that tablet HRT is known to have a potentially dampening effect on libido so you might be better off with patches? Also to ask how old you are and what your cycle was doing before you started HRT as this will effect the exent to which your own hormones come into play as Wilks suggested?

Hurdity x

Hi Hurdity - thanks for your reply.  I am 52 and my cycle had started to be irregular and I could go 3 months without a period and then have one and then another one 1 month later.  My energy levels were the worst and I was so tired.  I had my FSH/LH levels done which where in their 100's and mainly due to the energy levels and feeling like I always had a 'cloud feeling' over my head decided to have HRT.  I think it may be a case of finding the right HRT for me at the moment.  It is shocking also that we have to pay double prescription for Femoston also due to being two different tablets!

[Hurdity]

Give it a while longer and if no improvement maybe consider a higher dose. Absorption of tablet HRT is very variable amongst women and some just don't absorb sufficient oestrogen from low doses. You own oestrogen levels will begradually dropping overall too.

Hurdity x