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[flightdeck]

Hi all. I started a cream based HRT last year and I think it's making my sleep much worse - is that possible? It's always taken me a while to fall asleep but once asleep I'm OK but I think HRT is making it very hard for me to stay asleep. I've started waking up after an hour or two and then being very awake for 4 or 5 hours then feeling sleepy at 6am when its more or less time to get up (argh!). I stopped the HRT and over the course of a week and my sleep returned to normal.

Can anyone shed any light on this please?

Biest 0.5mg, progesterone 50 mg, testosterone 0.25 mg per 0.3 mL dose. Twice a day.

thanks!

[Annies]

Hi flightdeck,

In my case I believe it does at times..I'm afraid I can't comment on your combo of meds but I'm pretty sure that an imbalance of either progesterone or oestrogen can wreak havoc with sleep. I may not be a very good example because I've had low quality sleep for about 10 years pre HRT but I'm sure there are others here who may be following a similar regime to yours who can comment about their experiences.
Really hope it improves for you - I know how miserable it can be. Xx

[Hurdity]

Hi flightdeck - sorry to hear about your sleep problems. You're not taking a licensed HRT so it's impossible to comment on the effect really. I'm assuming you are outside UK as we don't have cream based HRT here except from some very expensive clinics and these products are unlicensed.

It may be nothing to do with the cream but your natural cycle - whereabouts are you in menopause re bleeds and natural cycle length? During peri-menopause hormonal fluctuations can be quite dramatic and can affect sleep. Are you having fliushes and sweats?

Maybe if you tell us a bit more we might be able to help?

Hurdity x

[flightdeck]

hello Hurdity

I am in the UK, my doc is on Wimpole Street (yes, not cheap) but my GP couldn't be less interested: all I need is an rx for Prozac and more backbone.

I'm 57 and was having sporadic periods (several month apart) when I went to the docs. Prior to this my cycle was around 33 days and I would have a brownish light bleed for a few days before. I never had PMT and they  have been trouble free apart from being very heavy. No kids (by choice/accident/lack of attention).

I did not have severe problems when I sought HRT - I wasn't trying to kill anyone but I was out of energy, motivation, struggling to concentrate, very forgetful, mildly depressed and very much "not me". (I do realize there are people having it waaaaay harder than me and writing this I feel a bit guilty taking up anyone's time).   

I'm tall and slim with "sports tits" as they have been described (not unkindly I should say but there isn't a lot going on there) so for some reason I don't think I was ever estrogen dominant. I've never had a hot flush or sweats.

My blood test pre HRT and 3 months after were this
               
                                 Pre                      3 months in     Units
FSH                           82.3                     100 IU/L          IU/L
Luteinising                  70.7                    no data            IU/L
Progesterone             <0.2                     11.7                nmol/L
Oestradiol                 160                       139                 nmol/L
DHEA Sulphate          3.4                        2.9                 umol/L
Testosterone              0.7                       2.7                  nmol/L
Testosterone Free       1.07                     1.13                pg/ml

thanks v much x

[KBallinger]

Hi flightdeck

The cream is either not high enough dose of oestrogen or you are not absorbing it.

Your estrogen levels are lower than they were before you started using the hrt.

Your progesterone has risen though and so has testosterone.  I would say you need to change method or increase your oestrogen dose. X