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[Emzib0b]

Hello everyone!

After browsing the site and forum for the last year I thought it was about time I joined in! I’ll apologise in advance if this ends up long - I think I just desperately need to talk to someone who understands!

I’m 40 and have been perimenopausal for at least the last 18 months (that’s when the hot flushes, awful low mood/crying lots and irregular cycles began). I saw a GP, FSH bloods were tested twice, both normal, told to come back if my symptoms became problematic.

I only get the hot flushes when I have a long/late cycle, so far about every 5 months. My other cycles have been 18-21 days long with the occasional normal length (24-26 days) one. My other symptoms (which fluctuate) include brain fog/memory problems, unexplained anxiety and low mood, overactive bladder, severe PMS and waking up in the early hours.

The hot flushes, low mood/crying and waking up every hour returned at the end of Jan, worse than ever before. I decided it was about time I went back to my GP and ask for a referral. I had a telephone appointment last Tues and to my amazement she prescribed HRT over the phone! I had some more blood tests and they actually caught my hormones misbehaving this time - FSH 56.5, LH 37.7.

I’ve been prescribed Evorel 25 patches and Utrogestan tablets (2 weeks on/off). Although I was desperate to stick that first patch on straight away I decided I’d start on a Monday to make the regime easier for me to remember.

I’m quite confused about the Utrogestan side of things. I put my first Evorel patch on today as my cycles are irregular (it’s been 45 days since my last period). However my body surprised me two days ago and I think I’m going to have a period in two weeks. On Saturday I woke up feeling like a different person. My mood had lifted and the hot flushes stopped. I also started producing egg-white cervical mucus, so I think I might be about to finally ovulate?!

I did debate holding off with the patches until I started a period but decided to go for it as planned today, because I could be wrong and not get that period - after all my hormones aren’t predictable any more! My understanding is I start a 2 week block of Utrogestan in a fortnights time, but this could potentially coincide with the start of a period, and I’ll be completely out of sync!

Any thoughts? Should I have held off with the patches? Do I take the Utrogestan as planned in two weeks and hope that things regulate over the coming months? Or am I completely overthinking this?

Thank you for reading!

[CLKD]

Welcome.  I don't take HRT so can't help 

Is there any hint in the leaflets in the boxes?  Or ring your Prescribing practitioner or local Pharmacist?

You could put the names of the products into the search box on the Forum: make notes.  Let us know how you get on.

[Emzib0b]

Hi CLKD! 

I asked my GP (during our appt) about synching the Utrogestan to my ovulation during a normal or shorter length cycle and she said I’m the only patient she’s dealt with who observes their cervical mucus so couldn’t advise! She did mention the possibility of tweaking further down the line. I have a follow up appt in 2 weeks but at that point I will have either started the Utro or will be due to that day.

I’ve had a look around the Utrogestan threads. There seems to be a little bit of variety in approaches. Some ladies sync and tweak, others stick to set days. Quite a few ladies in early peri finding their own cycles override the HRT cycle! Given that I’m not regular each time, even if I time it right this time, it’s probably going to out by the next one anyway!

I’m a little nervous about taking the Utro, even though it’s necessary. I had a horrible time with Progesterone only contraception when I was younger, and I don’t think I get along well with my own natural progesterone given my severe PMS! The thought of potentially having ‘extra’ progesterone days in my cycle worries me!

Hope you’re doing ok and have a good day today!