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[Jasmine_2015]

Hello,

I have been on Everol conti for a few months now (for osteoporosis).
I have struggled with gastro problems and IBS for a few years and it could be a coincidence but it seems to be worse since I've been on HRT. I was hoping the patches would be less likely to cause side effects like this. I feel much more bloated and have so much trapped wind. I usually have IBS with constipation although have experienced more looser stools on this. I don't mind that (it's quite a welcome reflief after usually being C) but it's the bloating and gas which is getting me down.

Can anyone advise of a different HRT I could try or give any other advice?

Many thanks

[Rosie63]

Hi Jasmine_2015. I have suffered with IBS for years now and have found that HRT has definitely aggravated it.  In fact, it's this that's made me give up on a lot of preparations I've tried because although they have dealt with meno symptoms, they have caused awful gastric side effects.  The last time I saw my GP he suggested I try a low dose AD, Amitriptyline, to try to calm things down.  I took these for 2 weeks but stopped because they were we're making me feel too zonked out ! 

I have some positive news though.  I've been using Estradot patches, alongside a separate progesterone, for nearly 2 months now and although I did have some stomach issues to start with, they settled down after about 5 weeks and, touch wood, the stomach pain and discomfort are much better.  I know we're all different but perhaps something for you to consider.

Wishing you well.

Rosie63 x

[CLKD]

I was going to suggest patches as that way of delivery avoids the digestive tract.

As oestrogen levels drop so muscles may become lax including the gut, hence the occurrence of hiatus hernia and reflux.  Common in our age!

[Jasmine_2015]

Hi Jasmine_2015. I have suffered with IBS for years now and have found that HRT has definitely aggravated it.  In fact, it's this that's made me give up on a lot of preparations I've tried because although they have dealt with meno symptoms, they have caused awful gastric side effects.  The last time I saw my GP he suggested I try a low dose AD, Amitriptyline, to try to calm things down.  I took these for 2 weeks but stopped because they were we're making me feel too zonked out ! 

I have some positive news though.  I've been using Estradot patches, alongside a separate progesterone, for nearly 2 months now and although I did have some stomach issues to start with, they settled down after about 5 weeks and, touch wood, the stomach pain and discomfort are much better.  I know we're all different but perhaps something for you to consider.

Wishing you well.

Rosie63 x

Hi Rosie, thank you so much, can I ask what the separate progesterone is you take and what form? I think it sounds like it's worth trying for me because I need to increase the dose anyway so The estradot is probably better anyway as I've heard it's smaller in size to the patch I'm using.

I similarly stopped amitriptyline for the same reason. I also found I couldn't pass urine very easily with it!

I am glad you've found a regimen that suits you finally. Thanks for sharing

[Jasmine_2015]

I was going to suggest patches as that way of delivery avoids the digestive tract.

As oestrogen levels drop so muscles may become lax including the gut, hence the occurrence of hiatus hernia and reflux.  Common in our age!

Thanks for your input CLKD, I'm actually only 28 so hoping things don't get worse as I get older!! I have reflux too!!

[Rosie63]

Hi Jasmine.  You are so young aren't you. It sucks that you should be suffering at such an early age 😞 I'm currently using Utrogestan 100mg vaginally for 12 days a month.  This is my second month and the jury's still out on whether I will stay on this or change to Provera progesterone. I've felt quite tired since starting the prog. but have also had a cold so not sure which is making me feel a bit under the weather.  My undercarriage is a bit sore too which could be due to using vaginally.  I might try again next month and then make a decision.  I started on 50mg Estradot but have added another half a patch the last couple of weeks as was still getting some meno symptoms and so far so good.  The patches are a lot smaller than Evorel which I prefer.

Let us know what you decide and how it goes.

Rosie xx

[Jasmine_2015]

Rosie,

Thank you so much. I really appreciate you sharing this with me and taking the time to try and help me. My next appointment with the gynaecologist isn't until June which is really annoying. I don't know whether I can get it brought forward. I think I will have to try because I don't want to wait that long! I tried emailing him but no reply :-/

I do hope you start to feel better soon, it is so hard disentangling some of these symptoms and knowing what is caused by what isn't it?!

Thank you again. I shall keep you posted x

[Rosie63]

Oh god, yes, June's a long way off.  Perhaps try badgering your gynae so that you get on his/her nerves 😂

I have seen my GP and a private consultant over the last year and to be honest, this forum has been of more help than both of them put together.  The ladies here have given me the confidence to speak up for myself in asking to try different HRT's and I have tried many ! I was told it's a trial and error process and it certainly has been. 

Good luck xx

[Jasmine_2015]

That's really resssuring to know that it's okay and actually critical to ask to try different preparations because I feel bad asking for something different incase I don't get on with it and then have to ask to go back or try something else again! We are all individual though so it makes sense that we need to try different things to find what we get on best with. Thank you x