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[Wannabewell]

I’ve completed the first cycle of HRT.  My first cycle ever.

Prior to starting I had not had a period for nine months.  Was having lots of perimenopause symptoms, the worst being cyclical depression.

I was prescribed sequential Oestrogel 2 pumps (I apply to inner thighs) and Utrogestan 200mg day’s 15-26.

The first three days on Oestrogel were great.  I felt very giddy and happy and hadn’t a care in the world, then it settled to a stable good mood, slight attachment to thoughts occasionally but much less than prior to starting the a Oestrogel.

I was sleeping better. Night sweats reduced, hot flushes less.  Mouth not as dry.

From first oral Utrogestan I slept very very well.  Slept like a log most nights.  Groggy during the day.  Mood pretty stable and very calm .. nice.  Hair became quite oily, face got quite oily, towards days 25, 26.  On days 24, 25 and 26 I got episodes (in afternoon for about 2 hours) of very low mood, anxiety and irritability.

Now on day 3 of second cycle.  Mood is quite stable but not as happy as last month, a little irritable at times too.  Not sleeping as well since stopping Utrogestan.

No bleed as yet, is this normal?

Any thoughts appreciated.

Thanks.

[Wannabewell]

Just a little bump 

[Taz2]

It's the withdrawal of the utrogestan which induces a bleed. This usually happens within the first week of starting the new cycle. It takes around three months before you will know whether it is the right HRT for you so hopefully things will even out moodwise.

Taz x 

[sheila99]

You'd usually bleed 2-3 days after stopping utro but it might be that your lining hasn't built up enough for a bleed. I'm late peri and bleed approx 50% of cycles. You could try using utro vaginally, you usually have fewer side effects this way.

[Wannabewell]

Hi, thanks for you replies.

That’s really helpful and reassuring.  Thank you.

[Wannabewell]

Just completed second cycle

During Oestrogel only days less bloating.  Mood stable but not as happy as when first started it.  Flushes and night sweats gone.  Sleeping better. 

On adding Utrogestan I sleep even better. Groggy during the day. Around day 25 - 26 mood lowered a lot and coincided with intense weakness and brain fog (though I have ME so difficult to tell if it was a bad relapse).  Had light spotting and one day light flow after finishing Utrogestan.

Been really badly bloated towards end of Utrogestan day’s and following days (now day 3 of 3rd cycle).

Is this all still part of the settling in period?

Any thoughts appreciated.

[Scampidoodle]

Hi is the second cycle using utro vaginally or orally?

Did the adding oestrogen get rid of your joint pain?

[Wannabewell]

Hi Scampidoodle,

I’m using Utrogestan orally for now.

I think at times my joint pain has been helped by the Oestrogel, not completely but it’s definitely reduced.

[sheila99]

It's still early days for the joint pain, it may still improve more. There are fewer side effects from using utrogeston vaginally so would be worth a try if it doesn't settle. I don't know if bloating will settle but the fatigue I get from it hasn't improved so it may not.

[Wannabewell]

Hi Sheila,

I’m really unsure about using Utrogestan vaginally, questions like: do you insert both capsules, do they dissolve, does it affect your partner if being intimate, how would you know it’s in the right place etc. I dunno, I don’t feel competent to use that way yet.

We’ll see.

My face has become very very oily. I’m having to change face cream and foundation.

Pain in joints still happening, shoulder is particularly bad right now. Hips are always painful to some degree.

Mood not as bright as first month which is disappointing, but it’s definitely improved a lot. Still have cyclical depression but not to the same severity that it was at prior to start of HRT.

Mouth much less dry. Skin less dry. Vagina less dry. Sex drive much improved.

Migraine still happening.

Allergies less.

Appetite much improved.

Anxiety I would say low level on most days but much improved. I’d like it to go altogether.

Insomnia much improved. Some nights I sleep like a baby! Vivid dreams though.

Night sweats gone. Flushes gone. Unless I have a trigger food.

Attaching to worries I’d say is happening less but depending on situation/stressor it can worsen. When first began Oestrogel (first days) I had nil anxiety and felt absolutely carefree, it was fantastic. If I could be like that (mostly) I’d be blissfully happy. I wonder if that means I may need more Oestrogel? Too early to say, yet?

No period or spotting on first cycle.  Around a week of mostly spotting/very light on second cycle.

Anyway, mostly I’m very happy with how first cycles are going.

[Wannabewell]

Hi ladies,

Just a wee update.

Had my three month review for my HRT: Oestrogel 2 pumps, Utrogestan 200mg monthly days 15-26.

Improvements:
Night sweats resolved.
Flushes reduced greatly.
Insomnia improved, still wake at around 5am - 6.30am.
Dryness improved.
Anxiety improved but fluctuations.

Unresolved:
Bloating unresolved.
Cyclical depression reduced but unresolved.
Mood swings reduced but can develop occasionally.


Initial great improvements in mood were short lived.

Dr and I agreed that I’ll try three pumps of Oestrogel and stick with same Utrogestan. Review in three months.

[Hopeful]

It sounds like you are on the right track and hopefully the new regime will make things even better

[Wannabewell]

I hope so, fingers crossed 

[sheila99]

Why not try a cycle using utro vaginally and see if it stops the bloating? Although using it this way doesn't resolve all problems as it isn't passing through your digestive system it may well stop the bloating. To use it this way just push them up as high as you can just before you go to bed. Not ideal for intimate relations, not sure if it will do any harm but better inserted afterwards. If you're meno or late peri you can use a 6 week cycle to reduce the time you're on utro. Or you could try provera or mirena.

[Wannabewell]

Thank you Sheila,

I’ll have a think about trying that.  Thanks for the other options too.