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[Sandie71]

Hi everyone newbie here and would appreciate some advice/guidance if anyone can help please. Age 48 last period around January this year. Been taking 2 pumps of estrogel and 25/28 days of Utrogestan for just over a month now.

I've been experiencing really bad hip/joint/back and neck pain since starting. Does anyone know if this normal? If so, is it likely to continue or ease off as my body adjusts to the treatment? Thank you

[CLKD]

Hi.  As oestrogen levels drop the body may become dry: inside and out: deep in the ears, eyes, scalp, skin, vagina.  Also, muscles may become lax = aches and pains.

Does over the counter pain relief help?  You could put the product names into the search box to see what pops up - make notes 

[Sandie71]

Hi thanks for your reply much appreciated.  Not really took any pain relief as keep thinking it is quick aches that won't last long 😱 but definitely now need to take something. Have tried searching but not found much but will give another try thanks. Too much of a coincidence that the pains started just after starting HRT. Was hoping it would have eased off by now but just seems to spread to a new area on a weekly basis. Thanks

[sheila99]

I would see the gp. You've been hrt for long enough it should have made a difference by now, so perhaps there is a different cause.

[Sandie71]

Thanks for your feedback. Not sure if replying to ur comments correctly or not sorry! Hot flushes have gone but not really helped with the insomnia which was the main reason for getting HRT. My doctor had never heard of the gel and had to google it 😂. She said to take 2 pumps but clearly has no idea if that's what I need or not. Maybe try an extra pump and see if that helps. Thanks again

[jillydoll]

Yes definitely see the doc.
Before my hrt kicked in, I was aching, felt like I was 100 years old, really felt stiff when I stood up. But since the hrt, I can honestly say it's much better.
It could just be that you need 1/2. Pump extra gel....go slow increasing, incase you get too much, which can be just as bad as not enough...x

[sheila99]

Sorry, I'd misread your post, I thought you'd been on HRT since Jan. I think you need to give it a bit longer, my anxiety and insomnia took 3 months, there wasn't a noticeable difference after one month. As it's controlled your flushes I'd be inclined to stay on the same dose a bit longer or maybe increase just by half a pump. Can't remember exactly how long it took for my aching hips but I think it was closer to 3 months than 1.

[Sandie71]

Thanks everyone I took an extra pump last night and not feeling quite as sore or stiff this morning so will see how I go the rest of the day/week and play it by ear. Other than the joint pain really not had any other side effects which is great so fingers crossed it eases off.

[Wilks]

Hi
2 pumps is the standard starting dose. Your GP should ask you back after a month or 2 on that dose to see if your symptoms are controlled, and if not, they may suggest a higher dose.
I had awful pain in my hip joints that kept me awake at night for months. I didn't mention it to my doctor for ages as I had no idea it was due to low oestrogen, but when I eventually went up a dose because other symptoms had returned, that sorted the joint pain too
:-)

[Sandie71]

Thanks Definitely not as sore today after the extra pump. Not sure how my doctor will feel about me self medicating but given she had no idea the gel even existed she's probably more clueless than me 😂. Though have been eating for Scotland today which is not great 😱. Not due to go back until the 3 month mark I thought that was normal?

[sheila99]

You should spend 3 months on any regime to give it time to work so perhaps that's why she asked to see you then.

[Sandie71]

I phoned the doctor today to ask about taking the utrogestan vaginally after reading here you get less side effects this way and he was flabbergasted as had never heard of this! However after looking it up he said yes give it a go and to take 100mg every day. Does anyone know if this is the best way to take it as sure I read somewhere that it's better to take it cyclically? Sorry feel like I'm just asking millions of questions with nothing to contribute back 😱

[pants46]

Sandie,
My GP didnt know about Utrogestan  being taken via the vag either, and she's pretty well informed.
So, if you a taking hrt on a continuous basis the suggested dose is 1 x 100mg pill each day. If you are on a cyclical regime the recommendation is 2 x 100mg pills a day (at the same time) for 12 days. You then get a withdrawal bleed about 3 days after finishing the 12 days.
Good luck. x

[sheila99]

If you're in peri you should use a cycle, if meno you can choose. They say you're meno when you've been a year without a period so you're close enough you can probably choose. Some people choose to stay on a cycle because they don't feel well on utro, many people would rather not have a period. In the UK vaginal use isn't an accepted method, in some other countries it is. In theory you get fewer side effects as it doesn't pass through the liver. Many specialists prescribe it this way.

[Sandie71]

Thanks everyone sorry I'm not sure how to reply to individual posts 😱. I like the idea of the 12 days on with a break. Was looking up Dr Menopause website and that seems to indicate that u can just take 100mg each day for the 12 days but most people on here seem to take 200mg per day.  Can someone put me right? Thanks again for all your feedback I really appreciate it x