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[Peroxideblader]

hi there I had a blood test this week after 3 years of erratic periods and 83 days without one til Sunday...the results were almost no oestrogen but high fsh and high lh..confirming I'm well into peri almost menopause..I know I am but I needed something in writing to prove to my other half I'm not being a hypochondriac or making excuses for being so ill and anxious depressed etc..
my question is how reliable are the readings because according to the doctor I should be on hrt to boost my oestrogen as it's so low and the side effects I'm having are caused by lack of oestrogen

[Conolly]

Hello Peroxideblader,

Blood tests are not reliable particularly during perimenopause when hormone fluctuations run wild. Anyway, if your doctor thinks you should be on HRT, you're having symptoms and your other half is distressed by your symptoms... why not? As long as you are fully informed about the risks, albeit small, go for it.

What regimen is your doctor suggesting, if you don't mind me asking?

Conolly X

[Hurdity]

If you're missing periods like that anyway - irrespective of unreliable blood tests - then you are almost certainly in late peri-menopause and your oestrogen levels would be expected to be declining. Are you getting flushes and sweats? Taking other medication? From what I recall you used to take Femoston (unless I'm remembering wrongly!) - so if that suits you and you are well under 60 then why not try it again - starting with femoston 1/10 then increasing to 2/10. If you have digestive problems or are overweight or some other health issues then patches would be preferable. What have you got to lose?

Hurdity x

[Peroxideblader]

Hi there you were correct hurdity I did try femoston but by day 10 I was literally so down I was suciidal it made me feel awful so I stopped it and I was back to normal. This really scared me as I didn't realise the oestrogen part could make you so ill it was the progesterone I was dreading. That was the early last year and I haven't gone back to try it again since.
I have all the nasty meno symptoms the main life changing Ines for me are the panic attacks anxiety and insomnia and becoming a ratty hermit.....
But as my so called close friends and family sailed through there meno or haven't got to it yet they think I'm making it all up and blaming things on the meno when they don't believe me so I know it's hormonal but I needed a doctor to confirm so they'd believe me...sad really.
After my scare with femoston I was put off but after looking into the option she on here I asked my doctor for oestrogel and separate utrogestan the days fifteen to twenty six orally. I can't take it vaginally as I have an overactive bladder and couldn't risk it getting worse. But I'm trying to not go on hrt at all with the oestrogen making me so ill before.

[Hurdity]

Hi again - I think when you tried HRT before you were still having pretty regular periods and this can be a difficult time to start HRT for some women. If your oestrogen levels are now  very low and your periods are few and far between - this is a much better time to start in terms of getting it right  - well you have a better chance I would say. Also maybe the oral oestrogen didn't suit you?

Yes it's a pity you were put off because the right dose of the right preparation at the right stage can make all the difference to how you feel.

Are you having flushes and sweats? Maybe you are taking other medications which can mask these and makes it a bit more difficult to tell if the HRT is working?

You could have another go at the Femoston 1/10, now that your periods are really on the decline, or you could try as you suggest the oestrogel and utrogestan. My personal preference is for patches but gel users also swear by this! Do be aware that utrogestan has a sedative effect on the days you take it but if you don't mind this then go for it. Otherwise there is a combi patch - Evorel sequi - which will give you a regualr monthly bleed.

I can't remember how old you are but I had a feeling only in your 40's? If so then good to start HRT if you are likely to go through menopause at less than the average age, bu8t also for symptom control.

Hurdity x