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[KittyM]

Hi

I am two weeks into two pumps a day of estrogel and one pea size of testosterone. Just wondered if anyone else on same routine? I have had a hysterectomy (partial so ovaries still in) and am 54. Taking HRT for night flushes, lack of energy, anxiety and low mood and lack of sex drive. Two weeks in I have been more energetic, night sweats a little better, and vaginal dryness vanished. Side effects - possible weird taste in mouth, definitely sore nipples and occasions of nausea and upset tummy but not sure if they from the HRT or not. Just would like to hook up with someone on same regime. Thanks

[Hurdity]

Hi KittyM

There are others on this regime I'm sure but I can't think who off hand! There is a long running thread on oestrogel and utrogestan which fortunately you don't have to take!

There is another long running thread in private lives "Testosterone here we go" which has some information though probably not updated recently.

I hope your side effects settle and the symptoms you hope to ease, minimised soon. If the sweats and flushes do not disappear then it's possible you need a slightly higher dose eg half a pump. I'm not a gel user so can;t really advise what works and what doesn't  and it is very individual also.

Hurdity x

[KittyM]

Thank you for the reply x

[Bobidy]

Hi

It's really common to get those side effects for a few weeks when starting oestrogen and it takes a while (up to 3 months) to properly kick in.  2 pumps is a lowish dose so you may find that you need to take more if your symptoms start creeping back in again. I started on 2 pumps post hysterectomy (retaining ovaries) but now take the equivalent of 8 pumps (patch and gel combo), which is working really well for me. Testosterone is usually added post 3 months when your oestrogen levels have risen again on HRT. I use Androfemme 1 pea sized amount per day which took about 5-6 months to kick in, but again works very well for me. You may want to consider VA treatment eg Vagifem, Ovestin, Estring etc now to to stop VA in its tracks before it takes hold. Lots of info on here about it x

[KittyM]

Thank you

[Sammiejane]

hi kitty m

any effect on your hair on this regime
shedding /loss scalp hair

[KittyM]

Not yet but early days I guess. Awful indigestion today and very bloated. ☹️

[Sammiejane]

hi kitty m

i to had that and i was only on estrogel as have also had full hysterectomy ovaries gone too but i couldn't cope on estrogel on its own i was crazy hairloss severe fatigue constipation bloating water retention plus i used the gel on my thighs and wasn't obsorbing well but could only tollerate 2 pumps i?m now on progesterone to which has helped and starting testosterone tonight so i?m hoping this will help my hair otherwise i?m stopping going hrt free and will just use ovestin x take a break
i?m only 41 had my hysterectomy at 35 but went hrt free for 4 yrs no symptoms and then has vaginal symptoms so started hrt but then i've got worse the aniexty depression mood swings came weight gain all from estrogens only plus i had bladder issues it felt like my bladder wasn't emptying properly haven't had the problem since adding progesterone maybe cause it relaxes but felt tense before

[KittyM]

Do you see a specialist or GP? I paid for private consultation that got done on phine due to the virus. I did email after the first week to say my acid reflux had flared up but she said unlikely to be the gel - I am going to email her again to say I now have this awful bloating and upset tummy. I think maybe I am estrogen dominant so would need progesterone too - did they check your hormone levels?

[Hurdity]

Hi KittyM. If you've had a hysterectomy then you don't need progesterone. Oestrogen dominance is a red herring. You need to go by what you feel in terms of menopausal symptoms, but you have no periods to tell you what's happening. Remind us of where you were in menopause before your hysterectomy, if it was fairly recently. Were you still having natural periods ands how often were they? The gastric problems are unlikely to be due to taking oestrogen especially if not orally. Are you overweight or have you made any dietary changes? Sorry I can't be of more help but I hope your symptoms resolve soon. If not do consult the doctor ie your regular GP rather than a menopause one.

Hurdity x

[KittyM]

Thank you Hurdity. The partial hysterectomy was ten years ago and I am 54. I had my gallbladder out in 2018 and do have a very sensitive digestive system which is why I would not even contemplate taking oral HRT. My weight and exercise levels are good so I think I just have to sit and let my body adjust to the new levels of hormones I am giving it! The HRT consultant said reducing to one pump a day is worth a try but did say she would not expect the gel to give bloating or indigestion. Fingers crossed it improves as I really want to get the old me back and I do feel that already I have had an improvement in my moods.

When you say Oestrogen dominance is a red herring do you mean its not really a 'thing'? I have always wondered why no womb means no progesterone when you read so much about it all being a balance between all three hormones. It can be very confusing if you read up too much!

[Sammiejane]

hi kitty m

in my experience everyone is different i do believe there needs to be a balance i have my hysterectomy at 35 no where near menopause or even peru and i would of been producing estrogen progesterone and tesosterone i had clock work periods i suffered pelvic pain for 11 yrs prior and had adenomyosis initially only my womb was going to be removed but then the consultant said due to my pain taking the ovaries would be best and 95 percent die off within 5 yrs anyway ( i beg to differ) but never questioned what they said but wish i had of done if i had known what was going to happen 5 yrs down the line but this isn't explained its all very well where take it all away you won't make hormones but where just give you estrogen your be fine for a lot of women they are for a lot of women including myself they are not each hormone in the body serves a purpose so how you can feel balanced and great just putting back estrogen i don't understand which i why under the supervision and guidance of my health professional i?m making myself a giunea pig i felt awful on estrogen on its own i've added progesterone it's not needed but has helped aniexty my mood sleep bloated ness constipation but everyone is different i almost feel as though i?m not on hrt i feel like i did off hrt the hair shedding still a battle for me and if unable to be resolved with tesosterone i've my quilting hrt ! i would continue for minim 3 months with you estrogen and tesosterone and see how you go things may settle for me it didn't but i wasn't allowed tesosterone till i had good level of e which never happened although this time round applying to my arms i am obsorbing so i know for my hair shedding low estrogen dosent cause it , it's taking hrt that does

[KittyM]

Is it your normal GP you see?

[Sammiejane]

kitty m

yes and also menopause clinic but to be honest they are not great

they swear by this bloody gel and that progesterone is not medically necessary which it isn't. but progesterone not only keeps the endometrium at bay it help the brain bones vagina urethra all have progesterone receptors my view is if we didn't need it i?m our body's wouldn't make it and this is  depleted quicker then estrogen hence the estrogen dominance but for someone who has low every hormone replacing only estrogen will cause dominance as the other hormones are low and unlike natural menopause u have no reserve .
i've upped my estrogel to 2.5 pumps and daily utro i've tried alternate utro but felt awful without the progesterone 2 pumps gel with daily utro gave me watery discharge and more bladder irritation so i've upped to 2.5 now and yes i have few flushes returned and tender nipples which is a sign of more estrogen but starting tesosterone tomorrow and yes may worsen my hair but if it does then i?m stopping it all go to baseline and then take 3 month break get the shedding to stop and re think and it might be i just try a patch no progesterone or stay with it and change gel to patch i guess i?m worried s patch won't work aswell or work as good for VA as the gel is designed to help with this not sure the patches do

[KittyM]

Its so tricky - you really sound like you trying your best and not getting the results you want. Today I have upset tummy again! but consultant swears it not the gel??