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[Angelasurrey]

Hello, my peri symptoms began around aged 38 after my second child. From around age 40 until now I am 42.5 the symptoms became worse. The past 4 years have been a struggle.
The toughest symptoms for me are insomnia, anxiety, sore breasts, hot flushes, low mood, severe pms for last 2 weeks of cycle and irritability.

After pushing and pushing I’ve finally been able to try HRT.
Vagifem 10
1 to be inserted each day for 2 weeks then 2x a week.

Utrogestan 100
 
It’s says Day 1-12 of the calendar month so that’s 1st July to 12 July , then 1st August to 12 August


estradot 100

To be changed twice a week eg, Monday and Thursday.

It’s been about 4 weeks since taking them at the first 2 weeks seems ok (sleeping better, up around 4am) but during the days I am taking Utrogestan I feel so much PMS and slightly less sleep. I am overreacting and tearful. 

Would appreciate some advice or tips.
My husband is a personality type A so life is over scheduled and very hectic/stressful. This on top is really overwhelming me with two young kids.

Thanks so much 

[Nonnie1983]

Hi, so sorry to hear you're struggling 😔 I apologise in advance with regards to not being able to offer any help/advice as such but you have my upmost sympathy & understanding lovely. Can I ask, was your diagnosis of peri/early meno given based just on your symptoms alone or via bloods etc?
I was diagnosed peri 5yrs ago (aged 33) through FHS levels on bloods. Managed the symptoms myself pretty much till recently when I've had to ask for help due to symptoms being much more severe. Had 2 lots of bloods & both came back "normal" which is rather confusing & frustrating to say the least 🙄 although my GP is being very supportive & has said she's willing to try me on HRT soon but that I need an ultrasound & referral to gynaecology 1st just to rule out any other cause. I've got just about every symptom on meno....most recently though its the disturbed sleep & night sweats.

[sheila99]

100mg is a high starting dose, you'd usually start on 50 and adjust up or down as required. I would give it the 3 months and see if it settles. If it doesn't you could ask for a different progestogen. If you're late peri/meno you could try a long cycle (6 weeks) to give you more good time. The dose should be 12 days x 2x100mg on days 15-26 where day 1 is the first day of your bleed.
It took 3 months for my anxiety and insomnia to go.

[Gilla999]

Angela are you using Utro vaginally or orally? Are you still having natural periods and if so are you timing them with the Utro?

It may also be that another formation of HRT will work better for you - for example I initially tried Estradot last year (not for very long) but it didnt help at all. Where as Lenzetto which I'm on now worked well (within reason) for me from the start. This could also have been down to the time of the month I startied it though - since Lenzetto I've made sure to sync any changing or starting of HRT or Utro with my natural cycle as I have found this to give me the least symptoms.

Could another Prog be an option if all else fails?

[Angelasurrey]

Hello
Thanks so so much for your messages.
They’ve prescribed the Utrogestan orally. What you say makes sense.  I asked about the natural cycle but she said to take it just day 1 - day 12. I take Vagifem as a pessary twice a week.

Any advice welcome.

Thanks so much x

[Angelasurrey]

Just to add I am still having natural periods but it’s not timed with the UTROGESTAN…
Thanks so much x

[pepperminty]

Hi,

yes defo give it 3 months . It can stabilise. Try sync' it with your natural cycle. The progesterone part can cause PMS like  symptoms , but they can reduce.  100 estrogen patch is a very high dose to start off with. Look at the treatment options at the top of this page.

It this one does not suit you , you can try different ones. With the estrogen gel or spray  you can build up the dose slowly also. Provera is another progesterone that can work well .

Keep a symptom diary, so you can chart how you feel.

I hope you feel better soon,

PMXX

[sheila99]

I would start counting again with the first day of your own bleed being day 1. My own cycle is always stronger than the hrt one so fitting the hrt cycle round your own works better than the other way round (which for me resulted in bleeding at any time, sometimes twice in a month).

[CLKD]

Also, the A-type in your family needs to modify his behaviour 

Do you have coping strategies for the future, i.e. sitting down to make notes of what is necessary each week and which chores can be 'let go' ?

[Angelasurrey]

Thank you everyone. A quick update after 6 months the Estradot didn’t work. It didn’t seem to absorb.

[CLKD]

Morning.  What has been suggested instead?  Do keep on with the 'vagifem', daily if necessary.

You can ask for a referral to a menopause clinic, not a gynaecologist as they often don't know much.

[Angelasurrey]

Hi CLKD a Meno specialist has suggested estrogel although I’m nervous as I feel like there have been issues with the preparation where fellow women have struggled.

[sheila99]

I think you need to try them not rely on the experience of others. For every hrt there will be some women who think it's wonderful and others who can't tolerate it. You can't tell how you will react unless you try.

[CLKD]

Keep a mood/food/symptom diary to chart progress, some finds this useful. 

[Wrensong]

Hi Angelasurrey, I agree with Sheila.  There are lots of women on here who love the gel & there is every chance you will be one of them, but you won't know unless you try.