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[Mummap]

Hi everyone I’m new to this forum, I’m 50 and been peri for a couple of years. Periods have become very irregular so went to see the gyne specialist to get checked (history of polyps) but all okay but he suggested HRT. I explained I have a sensitivity issue with most drugs and have used progesterone in the past with terrible side effects. Anyway long story short he said all would be fine and prescribed me Oestrogel, testogel and ustrogestan. Told me to start the oestrogel and testogel straight away and use the progesterone for 7 days at the start of each month. He told me 3 pumps of oestrogel and a tiny bit of testogel. I decided to reduce that to one pump based on my sensitivity issues. Needless to say all my worries came true as within a few hours of first dose I felt awful. Pressure in my ears and head, really tired, itchy skin and dissorientation which just got worse on day two so much so had to leave work. I’ve now stopped taking it and feel back to normal and guess I am back to the drawing board

[Flossieteacake]

Hello Mumpap. Welcome to the forum. I too am sensitive to any medication and it is frustrating when doctors do not take this seriously. I wonder if it would be possible for you to take things at a slower pace. I was thinking of seeing how you got on with a low Oestrogen patch and taking it from there?

It takes time to find the right HRT so please do not despair.

[Perinowpost]

Hi Mummap

As Flossieteacake has said it might be better to take things slowly. I wasn’t allowed to introduce testosterone by my specialist until I’d been on oestrogen for 3 months. I started with oestrogen and introduced progesterone 2 weeks later. By doing it that way (and I think this is where lots of doctors fall down - frustrating when you’ve pointed out you’re sensitive) you know exactly what is doing what.

Try again with oestrogen only and let us know how you get in x

[CLKD]

Gynaecologists often don't know much about HRT  .

As oestrogen levels drop peri-menopause begins: to add everything at once might be too much too soon.  The body doesn't get where it is suddenly unless one has surgical intervention. 

What regime is the oestrogen and utrogestan ?  MayB begin that first?  You may not require the testogel.  Some find keeping a mood/food/symptom diary of use.

Let us know how you get on.  Which symptom would you like to ease first?

[sheila99]

Is it possible you had an allergic reaction to something in the gel? Usually oestrogen itself is OK and the reaction is to the carrier. If it was me I'd stop T for now and either try again with half a pump and build up or ask for a patch as you may not react to that (perhaps start with half a 25 patch). I have an allergic reaction to evorel patches but am OK with gel, you may be the other way round.

[Mummap]

Thanks for replying the regime was for me to use the oestrogel and the testogel to start with, he said use three pumps of oestrogel (I did one!) and a tiny bit of the testogel - he said do not introduce the progesterone for 4 weeks and then only use it for 7 days. I could maybe drop the testosterone and reduce to half a pump of oestrogen and see what happens - but for now I think I’m going to have a break and get my head around it

[CLKD]

I think he's back to front in his prescribing 

1 is usually given oestrogen and if one has a womb, progesterone as a 'cycle' regime.  Oestrogen can be added to on a gradual basis, sometimes on alternate nights so that the body isn't overwhelmed.  Testogel is added much later if required.

Maybe have a break for 3 days then start slowly with the testosterone which is notoriously difficult to get prescribed 

Do a search for the products prescribed: putting the name of the drug into the box separately to see what pops up, make notes ;-).  It's Trial and Error for many.

[Hurdity]

Hi mummap

 

Wow that is a large amount of oestrogen to be given initially and an incredibly low duration of progesterone especially for such a high oestrogen dose.

I would agree that it is too much too soon and starting with one pump for several weeks is much better idea....

Depending how far into menopause you are (you say periods have become irregular - but how often are they - what is your cycle length?) - if you are very early peri then you will be ovulating still , and so will produce your own progesterone. Otherwise it's important to monitor your endometrium if you are taking less than licensed progesterone - and I hope the gynae will ensure this? ie regular scans?

Which testogel have you been given and are you using it daily? - if the more concentrated stuff I would be using a lentil sized blob!

Hope you manage to sort out what works best for you!

Incidentally what symptoms were you experiencing that led you to agree to HRT, other than irregular cycles?

Hurdity x

[Stella2]

First time I used 1 mg Sandrena and Utrogestan I felt awful and stopped after 3 days like you. I was so reluctant to go on HRT and worried about side effects, the pharmacist scared me further stating that it can take ages to adjust. 3 months later I started again due to debilitating flushes and I was fine! I suffer from anxiety and possibly that was the reason why I felt do bad the first time. But we are all different and I hope you will find the reason why you were unwell and be able to resume.

[Mummap]

I went five months without a period following my third covid jab then it came back has 3 normalish periods (about 7 days) and then this month I have skipped completely again. Symptoms weren’t that bad hot flushes mainly at night but only when missing periods, increased anxiety and tearfulness. The challenge for me is a do a very high powered intense job and when I started the HRT I literally could not function so couldn’t work. I just need some time out I think let things settle and then decide

[CLKD]

Covid has been reported as to interfering with hormones!

[Stella2]

That seems like a good idea Mummap, all the best x