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[Lcgbw]

Hi,
I wonder if any of you lovely ladies can offer me advice.
I’ve been in hrt for 3 years and still have not found the right fit for me.
I’m 58 and have  :(used Estrodot patches with utrogestan (various regimes- another story!)
The problem I have, apart from the progesterone side is finding a dose of oestrogen that I can tolerate.
I have tried everything from 50 patch to 75, currently using a 37.5 plus a 25 = 62.5.
My issue is I have terrible bloating and breast tenderness (made much worse on my progesterone phase too) on 75 but any lower and I’m tearful and depressed 
I’m currently trying to work with that very low mood as the bloating/tenderness/weight gain really really gets me down and doesn’t respond to any amount of dieting or exercise.
The last stint I did on 75 was for 3 months and my physical symptoms became unbearable.
I’ve always been very reactive to oestrogen I think, I went on the pill at 18 and gained 10lb in 2 weeks and when eventually pregnant at 42 I ballooned up 6st despite not overeating!
I just don’t know what to try next, without hrt I’m a mess and the lower dose leaves me mentally in a bad place, when I increase I feel physically dreadful.
Help! Xx

[NicolaJ]

Hi. I'm in a similar situation. I have been on my HRT journey for a few years now. I am currently on Estradot 25 and Utrogestan 100 for days 15-26.  My last regime before this one I had Evorel Sequi but found the 50 dose caused massive bloating and weight gain. In the three months I was on it I gained half a stone. This took 2 weeks to drop off after stopping. My current regime (2 months in) seems to be ok-ish. I am not bloated and no weight gain so far. It was very quick with the 50. I have 'some' hot flushes creeping in especially at night but am frightened to go any higher because of the bloat. If it continues I'll ask for gel to 'top up' and will aim for a total of 37.5. I'm also toying with the idea of going continuous, 100mg vaginally, every other day. I do feel better on the progesterone and so far all seems ok 🤞

I am 50 and have not had a period since November 2020.

I have a review this week and will ask about this. I feel lucky with my GP practice. They have a specialist menopause GP and she's doing clinics weekly. She is promoting this site on their FB page.

It's all a conundrum but like you I can't live with the bloat and weight gain

[Lcgbw]

It’s so difficult finding the right balance isn’t it? It’s always a trade off and all we can hope is to get it a good as we can.
I just wish I was more straightforward like many of my friends.
I hope you get it sorted for you, great that you have a good GP
X

[CLKD]

Have you thought of stopping HRT to see where in peri menopause you might be? 

How were your moods when you were younger?  I was OK after the period began ......... the week prior to a bleed was awful 

[Lcgbw]

I really don’t want to come hrt as I believe in the long term benefits, and if my mood is low on lower doses I think I’d be really depressed without 
Cognitive changes were the reason I began taking hrt too.
I don’t think my emotions were bad when I had a regular cycle, I did often suffer with bloating and water retention though!
I’m definitely post menopause, I’m 58 and my last period was over 4 years ago now.

[CLKD]

I hated that bloating  .  Once I had treatment for slow transit those symptoms were eased a little. 

[Butterfly22]

Wow I feel your pain, I’m at a loss myself to atm, what about trying a different patch so not changing to much xx