**Hi everyone - my original post is below but first, an update as I think it might help others*
I had my blood tests last Thursday and got the results last Friday.
My menopause consultant very kindly read the results for me.
Essentially I have the oestrogen levels of an 80 year old woman who's never had HRT.
Not great but at least I have an answer.
Essentially the patches aren't doing anything for me (which many of you suggested - thank you).
I guess I just don't absorb the oestrogen like other women (is that a 'thing'?)
I'm going back on the gel but a different brand and a stronger dose.
I'm also coming off the testosterone (for now) so my body can settle.
I'll be taking the progesterone by mouth, as usual.
Updating as you've all been so kind and I hope this might help someone.
I also hope the oestrogen boost makes a difference.
Thank you.
x
Hello
I’m new to the forum and would love some advice.
I’m 47, nearly 48.
A little background:
Since 2020 I’ve had all kinds of changes – from sudden changes in my normally clockwork period cycle to a total drop-off in how I orgasm (teamed with zero sex drive) – plus dry, brittle hair; terrible insomnia; and odd things such as dizziness and blocked ears.
I thought nothing of it until I started having terrible vaginal dryness and pain, coupled with recurrent UTIs.
I finally joined the dots, realised I was peri-menopausal and took advice.
From February 2021 I started taking Vegifem pessaries every other night.
Then from April 2021 I went onto ‘proper’ / systemic HRT – and started taking gel-based oestrogen (Oestrogel) – x2 pumps inner thighs. This was prescribed with progesterone (x2 100mg Utrogestan tablets orally for 14 nights every month).
It all seemed to be helping until around November 2021 (last year) when the vaginal pain returned with a vengeance.
I had a consultation with my (private) HRT specialist and it transpires I’d been given some of the newer batches of Oestrogel, widely considered to be less effective.
As an interim measure, I was advised to up my gel from x2 pumps top x3 and this seemed to work.
But I quickly opted to go onto patches (simply because I stopped trusting the Oestrogel company) - and since December have been on a 50mg Estradot patch, rotating twice weekly from one bum cheek to the other.
Also since December (once the bad symptoms stopped) I started on testosterone - 5mg Androfeme applied once daily to alternative outer thighs (simply because the lack of sex drive has continued – along with a general lack of motivation).
So, just to recap: since December I’ve changed from oestrogen gel to patches; am still on progesterone orally; and also added in testosterone.
Which brings me to where I need help.
Over the last month or so I’ve noticed a terrible, terrible depression. I mean, I feel really awful, I can barely get out of bed, and my mood is incredibly sad and low. I’m normally really proactive and spinning several projects and ideas at once. At the moment, I can barely get dressed. I feel so embarrassed saying all this. I’ve never previously had mental health issues.
I’ve been researching and it seems that progesterone has links to low mood, and that to counteract this, some women take Utrogestan vaginally.
I asked my HRT specialist if I should try this and she agreed to try.
But taking it vaginally was not only really messy the next morning but seemed to be creating thrush / more pain so I stopped after two nights. Maybe I should persist as two nights isn’t that long.
I’m just really confused and worried about what to do and what might be causing this low mood. I’m also confused as to why Utrogestan would suddenly be causing such a low mood when I’ve been taking it for around x9 months (the only recent changes have been in swapping gel for patch - and adding in testosterone. Neither of this can be to blame… can they?)
Obviously I’ll be seeking medical advice but appointments do take a while so in in the meantime I’d truly value any advice / thoughts / experiences.
I've booked a telephone GP appointment and am hoping to get some blood tests done.
Huge thanks.