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Author Topic: Estrogen Only HRT  (Read 2721 times)

aspie65

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Estrogen Only HRT
« on: July 17, 2019, 11:31:57 AM »

I'm sure this has been covered somewhere but I couldn't find it, sorry.  So I am on just one pump of estrogel a day and this is enough now I am 18 months without a period.  Since I started this dose of estrogel ( a year ago) I've never had a bleed despite taking the full dose of progesterone.  So 6 months ago I stopped taking the progesterone and I kept an eye on things by having a few scans and my lining stays low (below 5mm).  The conclusion I reached is to stay on the one pump a day and have 6 monthly scans just to be sure.  Now my questions are:

Is this safe?  Is the only risk of estrogen only HRT for a women with a womb is the thickening of the lining or is there something else that happens that is why the progesterone element is important?

Also, am I right in believing that the latest research suggests that it is the progesterone component of HRT that poses the cancer risk more than the estrogen element?

Thanks.
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jaydee

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Re: Estrogen Only HRT
« Reply #1 on: August 12, 2019, 08:46:42 AM »

I too would like to know if it's safe not to take progesterone.  I'm 65and on estrogen gel and My GP is ‘telling' me I should stop taking progesterone. As I still have a womb and all my bits are intact, I thought progesterone was a ‘must'.   Please can one of you ladies advise me?
Many thanks
Jaydee
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Joaniepat

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Re: Estrogen Only HRT
« Reply #2 on: August 12, 2019, 08:56:52 AM »

I too would like to know if it's safe not to take progesterone.  I'm 65and on estrogen gel and My GP is ‘telling' me I should stop taking progesterone. As I still have a womb and all my bits are intact, I thought progesterone was a ‘must'.   Please can one of you ladies advise me?
Many thanks
Jaydee

You are right, it is a 'must'. What is it with these GPs, telling intact ladies that they can take oestrogen only? Astonishing level of ignorance and downright dangerous.

JP x
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Tracey E

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Re: Estrogen Only HRT
« Reply #3 on: August 12, 2019, 08:57:07 AM »

That's interesting you womb had stayed below 5mm on one pump. As long as your having regular scans and your gynocologist is happy then why not. I was led to believe if you have a womb then the progesterone is needed but we're all different so who knows..

Jaydee that's interesting your doctors said that, have they offered an explanation as to why?
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jaydee

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Re: Estrogen Only HRT
« Reply #4 on: August 12, 2019, 10:06:39 AM »

Her only explanation is the BMA say it's unsuitable for women over 65!!!  Does anybody on here know what is the ‘usual' dose of progesterone for somebody my age?  My GP became quite huffy when I told her I'd be doing some homework on here, to check it out.
Thanks muchly
Jaydee
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Joaniepat

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Re: Estrogen Only HRT
« Reply #5 on: August 12, 2019, 11:51:59 AM »

Her only explanation is the BMA say it's unsuitable for women over 65!!!  Does anybody on here know what is the ‘usual' dose of progesterone for somebody my age?  My GP became quite huffy when I told her I'd be doing some homework on here, to check it out.
Thanks muchly
Jaydee

That can't be true as there are women on here of about your age still using it. I can't advise further as I don't use progesterone, but until someone better informed turns up, try the British Menopause Society website.

I love it when they become huffy!! Shows a lack self confidence  ::)

JP x
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Hurdity

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Re: Estrogen Only HRT
« Reply #6 on: August 12, 2019, 07:28:39 PM »

Christ not another one ( soz folks!)!!!!

The ignorance of some of these doctors is breathtaking. Where on earth did your doc get that info from jaydee?! Unless there is some very new info - but i would have thought we would have heard about it?

There is no "usual" progesterone dose associated with age. The dose depends on the type of progestogen and the amount of oestrogen you are using. The dose of progesterone you need to take entirely depends on the dose of oestrogen you are using and your response to it - as it (prog) protects the endometrium. Sadly your doc doesn't seem to want education either - one of those who resents patients finding things out for themselves.

Jaydee your doc is completely wrong and it is a must otherwise you risk endometrial hyperplasia and potentially cancer. Although most of us would love to be told this and do without the prog our womb lining does not permit. If you doc is happy to monitor you without prog then ask if you can have scans initially every 3 months and see what happens to the lining in the absence of progesterone. Does she not understand basic hormone biology ?

aspie65 - you are quite right that it is only the risk of endometrial thickening as above and potentially cancer that can be increased from using oestrogen only, without progestogen.

It is the increased risk of breast cancer that may be associated with the progesterone compononet  of HRT although this relationship is far from clear nor proven. There is a direct established causal relationship between oestrogen only HRT and endometrial cancer - but it is only an increased risk for a certain number of women. On low doses of oestrogen some women may as you say, not experience any thickening at all. If you are having 6 monthly scans and under medical supervision anf your lining stays thin - then you are very lucky! Do make sure your doc is aware if you are doing this by yourself, and do not be tempted to dispense with the scans.

Hurdity x

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jaydee

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Re: Estrogen Only HRT
« Reply #7 on: August 12, 2019, 08:17:14 PM »

Oh thank you, thank you , thank you Hurdity......I was hoping you would reply!  I'm going to attempt to print all these comments off tomorrow (probably ‘wind' go up even more.....) but it will be a starting point!  Any advice on where I can find more info on the need for progesterone regardless of age of women.
Thanks in anticipation
Jaydee
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aspie65

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Re: Estrogen Only HRT
« Reply #8 on: August 30, 2019, 07:55:02 AM »

Belated thanks Hurdity.  I really needed to hear this.
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