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[Loubylou]

Hello ladies
So I went through menopause in my 20s. I haven't really found a hrt that suits me. I don't have hot flashes but I do suffer with extreme tiredness, low mood and forgetfulness. General BCP made me feel totally miserable and raging. I have been given some natural hrt in the form of estrogel and utrogestan. I was on a low dose of estrogel so didn't feel a difference. The utrogestan really didn't agree with me. So I tried a different form in the name of Provera but it made me pile on the pounds in rapid speed! So without any suitable progesterone I stopped taking the estrogel too.

So, I haven't taken anything for a while and was feeling soooooo bone tired ,lately. Even after waking up as if I hadn't slept. Yesterday I was desperate so in my box of pills I had an unopened box of low dose Gedarel that I was given last year. The low dose supposedly has lower chance of side effects. I took my first last night.

Today I have so much more energy! I have managed to do some paper work, mow the lawn, walk to the garden centre, go on a bike ride. I am praying that this keeps up and no unwanted side effects, namely low moods.

Has anyone else taken low dose BCP and found success?

[dangermouse]

Yes I found the pill to be a great help at certain points.

It does seem to not hit the receptors so violently as natural hormones and most is dependent on finding the one with the progestogen that suits you best.

I did try the pill that contains estradiol (like your gel) and that also felt too potent.

If you do find anything dips in the next few days, don't stop it as it normally takes 7 days to kick in properly and calm your own cycle. At first the extra hormones can aggravate but after 7 days (seems to be the sweet spot) it should calm down again. Or you may feel ok and I think it's also a more gentle journey in if taken at the beginning of the cycle, and also gives you earlier contraceptive cover.

[Dancinggirl]

Loubylou
You haven't told us how old you are now? If you are under 50 then I'm sure you are aware that you really need some oestrogen to protect your heart and bones for the future.
I had an early menopause so understand the struggle to find an HRT thatcsuits you.
Have you tried the new type of BCP, Qlaira, that might be an option?
Have you tried having a Mirena fitted and use Iestegl or oestrogen patch alongside?
I didn't like Utrogestan when I tried it but many women do well with it - do look under TREATMENTS on this site to see your options. I personally think it is best to stick with a sequi hrt regime as this gives fewer progesterone side effects.
DG x

[Loubylou]

Hi Dancinggirl. I'm mid 30s now.
Yes I'm aware of the need to protect my bones and heart but I have also felt like jumping off a bridge with some of the hormones that ive been on previously. I certainly cannot tolerate normal bcp.

I haven't heard of the new one you mentioned. Have you tried it?

I'm going to give the low dose Gedarel a change for 3 months. I was worried about the coil as Ive heard it can be painful for women that haven't had children.

[Loubylou]

Yes I found the pill to be a great help at certain points.

It does seem to not hit the receptors so violently as natural hormones and most is dependent on finding the one with the progestogen that suits you best.

I did try the pill that contains estradiol (like your gel) and that also felt too potent.

If you do find anything dips in the next few days, don't stop it as it normally takes 7 days to kick in properly and calm your own cycle. At first the extra hormones can aggravate but after 7 days (seems to be the sweet spot) it should calm down again. Or you may feel ok and I think it's also a more gentle journey in if taken at the beginning of the cycle, and also gives you earlier contraceptive cover.
[/quote]


Thank you Dangermouse. Which pill did you try? What do you take now?
I'm a little concerned about acne. Ive always had such clear skin but one of the hormones that ive taken in the last year (don't know which) has caused me to get acne. I hope the gedarel helps but it seems worse since yesterday!

[dangermouse]

I'm in perimenopause so different to you but I'm not sure at what point the need for different hormones kick in.

I think the pill has plenty of oestrogen in it though, I'm pretty sure the bone testing etc was originally done on ethynl estradiol.

I used Brevinor mainly and Loestrin for some of the time as I prefer the Norethisterone in those ones. I'm now just on progesterone cream as my cycle isn't so volatile (to need subduing). These were all low dose pills, I think they stopped making the high dose ones.