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[somersetfi]

**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.

[sheila99]

Utro is the least likely culprit given you've been on it for a while without problems. It could be either the patch or testosterone as you started both in Dec. It's really better to change one thing at a time so you see what effect it has. If it was me I would go back to gel and utro and wait for the depression to go then change one at a time. If you had no other symptoms except VA on the 2 pumps I don't think you need a higher dose of gel. VA is often not controlled by hrt so you need to look at the topical oestrogen. I don't know enough about it to comment but there are lots of posts on it, sometimes the dose prescribed is insufficient.

[Perinowpost]

As Sheila99 says it’s not a good idea to change more than one thing at once. Progesterone is the usual culprit for depression but I agree you’ve been on it for a while so in this instance doesn’t seem to be the problem.

You could as Sheila99 says go back to the gel or even try a different patch- evorel is good- and try that.

Re androfemme I haven’t tried that but do use testim gel and find I can only use it 3 x per week without suffering side effects, any more and I struggle. As you are using yours daily maybe try alternate days and see if that makes a difference.

A few tweaks and I’m sure you’ll get it sorted. Wishing you well x

[CLKD]

Depression is awful.  I was unable to get out of bed ........ Could you stop the progesterone to see if the mood lifts?  No one should suffer depression that badly, I never want to feel that ill again!

Keep up with the vaginal atrophy treatment.  Nightly if necessary, it can be Trial and Error to sort, as well as a moisturiser on the outer areas.  VA mimics urine infection-type symptoms really, really well!  ABs will ease symptoms but won't solve the lack of oestrogen.  As levels drop the body may become dry: inside and out!

U may as suggested be using too many products at once.  Some find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary useful.  Let us know how you get on.

[somersetfi]

Thank you to all of you for replies so far.
I really appreciate it.
Please do keep any more thoughts / experiences coming.
Thank you again.
xxx

[Angelasurrey]

Somersetfi

I have also had this dark cloud heavy experience and it happened in December just before my period. It was absolutely awful. I wasn’t taking progesterone at the time. It also was way worse in the morning. I’m dreading it coming back. Absolutely terrified. I’m nearly 43 but have had peri symptoms since 38.

My guess is that I’m not on high enough estrogen…

Just wanted to reply so that you know that you aren’t alone.

A x

[Floo36]

Sounds like you may not absorb the patches as well as the gel.  You could go back to the gel and see if things improve.  It really is difficult trying to work it all out.  I get progesterone side affects when my Estrogen is low and the balance is off. 

[CLKD]

Have you managed to get out of bed today somersetfii .  Get into the sunshine if possible, it can brighten the mood. 

[VictoryV]

Hi Somersetfi,

Sorry to hear you’re struggling. Something very similar happened to me in December after I changed my estrogen delivery method.  I’ve returned to the regime I was on before swapping and I’m back to feeling good.
I hope things improve quickly for you, sending hugs.

Victoria.x

[pepperminty]

https://lizearlewellbeing.com/healthy-living/menopause/oestrodose-oestrogel-what-you-need-to-know/


I would try the gel again -  and stop the testosterone until stable. Meanwhile do meditation , eat well and try not to worry . I hope you feel better soon.

PMXX

[sheila99]

https://lizearlewellbeing.com/healthy-living/menopause/oestrodose-oestrogel-what-you-need-to-know/


I would try the gel again -  and stop the testosterone until stable. Meanwhile do meditation , eat well and try not to worry . I hope you feel better soon.

PMXX

 
That's a great link, thanks for posting it.

[pepperminty]

https://lizearlewellbeing.com/healthy-living/menopause/oestrodose-oestrogel-what-you-need-to-know/


I would try the gel again -  and stop the testosterone until stable. Meanwhile do meditation , eat well and try not to worry . I hope you feel better soon.

PMXX

 
That's a great link, thanks for posting it.

Hi sheila99, Happy New Year!

PMxx

[sheila99]

https://lizearlewellbeing.com/healthy-living/menopause/oestrodose-oestrogel-what-you-need-to-know/


I would try the gel again -  and stop the testosterone until stable. Meanwhile do meditation , eat well and try not to worry . I hope you feel better soon.

PMXX

 
That's a great link, thanks for posting it.

Hi sheila99, Happy New Year!

PMxx

Thanks. Happy New Year to you too.

[CLKD]

Looks like the original poster has gone away 

[somersetfi]

Hi there. So sorry for the delayed response. Thank you so much everyone - I really really appreciate these posts. I'm feeling slightly better this weekend but am still quite concerned. I've arranged to have blood tests this week and am seriously considering going back onto the gel. It feels quite complicated to get all this dosing correct. Thank you so much again. xxx