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[Vanessa]

Hi I'm Ness and I really struggle with understanding most of the posts on HRT so bear with me.

I'm 53. Last year I was put on the grey/white version of Femoston (see what I mean?) which was good for me right up until I was rushed into A&E with a dangerously large ovarian cyst which, it turns out, was entirely blocking my bowel. I had emergency open surgery and along with my growth aka Hodor (you shall not pass), they took out my ovaries. Suddenly I was no longer in peri, a stone lighter and getting very intense pains in my abdomen from all the drama.

I was then put on Femoston Conti. That was bad. I ended up in A&E twice with severe cramps (not dissimilar to the ones that got me hospitalised and dosed up on morphine for several weeks) - docs didnt see anything wrong but the cramps stopped when I came off the Femoston.

Next I tried Evoril conti patches. That was great for two whole months. But I kept bleeding and spotting and then bleeding again. One actual period lasted 6 weeks. Maddening. I came off that.

Now I'm taking Vagifem (to quote my nurse"you're so dry, you're practically a lizard") which is fine and I've been on that for a good month. But the flushes have been awful so I've been put on Evoril 50 (two patches a week) and a daily dose of Provera (5mg). I'm on my 8th day and I just don't feel right.

The flushes continue and now I'm getting an unpleasant discharge. On top of that, I'm cranky and have zero sex drive - and I'm getting married in the Spring!

Gah! I've searched and I can't find anyone on the same HRT routine as me. I just wonder if I should give up and accept its not going to work for me. Not sure what I'm asking really except maybe what would you do? Bearing in mind there's a big one wedding happening in five months!

[Flossieteacake]

Hello Ness and welcome to the forum. What a terrible time you have had. I really am sorry for all you have been through.

First I just want to talk about the Vagifem and the dryness you are experiencing. This is known as vaginal atrophy and it is great you have vagifem. It will be helpful for you to get some vaginal moisturiser and use it as much as you need. Sylk and Yes are nice and gentle and both available on Amazon if you use that site. The vagifem should be used every single day no matter what you may have been told. If you apply some of the vaginal moisturiser to the applicator it will help with inserting.

Vagifem is great for the inside but does not really help much with your outer bits so if you ask for Ovestin this will help further. This is a cream rather then the pessary vagifem is. We have tons of threads on here about vaginal atrophy if you would like to read any more about it.

I have not had my ovaries removed but from what I have read, many women fall into a depression so I am not surprised you are feeling the way you do. You may be sensitive to progesterone. It is difficult to know with both oestrogen and progesterone to know which one can be causing the side effects you are experiencing.

This does not mean you cannot take HRT. There are still more options for you so please do not despair. I think it would help to be asked to be referred to an NHS menopause clinic as they will know more then your GP too.

Congratulations on getting married soon. It sounds exciting.

[CLKD]

It may be that the Evoril 50 causes break through bleeding until the body settles.  Even if ovaries have been removed, there mayB enough stem to keep putting out small amounts of hormone.

If the bleeding was bearable, perhaps stick with it for at least 6 months to allow the body to settle.    If you kept your womb you will require some form of progesterone however, many women seem sensitive to it as a replacement therapy.  There are several regimes to ease this, which also require regular scans of the womb to check the lining isn't too thick.

Browse round.  Make notes!  U could ask for a referral to a dedicated menopause clinic: not a gynaecologist.

[sheila99]

I would ask for a referral to an NHS meno clinic. Bleeding in the first 6 months of a conti regime can be expected but if it's troubling a mirena is usually the best way to control it. If your libido doesn't return when your oestrogen levels are good you may need testosterone. Flushes usually go within a couple of weeks, if they haven't it's an indication that you need more oestrogen. Often it's the progestogen that causes the problems. You could try a sequi regime to see if you feel OK in the oestrogen only phase. 8 days is a very short time though, I would give it a bit longer and see how you are. They say you need 3 months to get the full benefit.

[Vanessa]

Thank you so much for all your kind and thoughtful comments.💛 I have a lot to learn here, I struggle with the technical jargon but really, really appreciate the advice here. Thank you so much! The one thing I really like about menopause is getting rid of periods. Sadly can't have a coil fit - never given birth and the one time I tried to get one fitted, it was absolute agony. That was in my thirties and it still makes me wince. 🤣

[Flossieteacake]

Thank you so much for all your kind and thoughtful comments.💛 I have a lot to learn here, I struggle with the technical jargon but really, really appreciate the advice here. Thank you so much! The one thing I really like about menopause is getting rid of periods. Sadly can't have a coil fit - never given birth and the one time I tried to get one fitted, it was absolute agony. That was in my thirties and it still makes me wince. 🤣

It is difficult and there is a lot I still do not understand. I only understand the HRT I have tried. 

[Vanessa]

Hello Ness and welcome to the forum. What a terrible time you have had. I really am sorry for all you have been through.

First I just want to talk about the Vagifem and the dryness you are experiencing. This is known as vaginal atrophy and it is great you have vagifem. It will be helpful for you to get some vaginal moisturiser and use it as much as you need. Sylk and Yes are nice and gentle and both available on Amazon if you use that site. The vagifem should be used every single day no matter what you may have been told. If you apply some of the vaginal moisturiser to the applicator it will help with inserting.

Vagifem is great for the inside but does not really help much with your outer bits so if you ask for Ovestin this will help further. This is a cream rather then the pessary vagifem is. We have tons of threads on here about vaginal atrophy if you would like to read any more about it.

I have not had my ovaries removed but from what I have read, many women fall into a depression so I am not surprised you are feeling the way you do. You may be sensitive to progesterone. It is difficult to know with both oestrogen and progesterone to know which one can be causing the side effects you are experiencing.

This does not mean you cannot take HRT. There are still more options for you so please do not despair. I think it would help to be asked to be referred to an NHS menopause clinic as they will know more then your GP too.

Congratulations on getting married soon. It sounds exciting.

Your post was so cheering, it made me teary, thank you. X

[Flossieteacake]

Hello Ness and welcome to the forum. What a terrible time you have had. I really am sorry for all you have been through.

First I just want to talk about the Vagifem and the dryness you are experiencing. This is known as vaginal atrophy and it is great you have vagifem. It will be helpful for you to get some vaginal moisturiser and use it as much as you need. Sylk and Yes are nice and gentle and both available on Amazon if you use that site. The vagifem should be used every single day no matter what you may have been told. If you apply some of the vaginal moisturiser to the applicator it will help with inserting.

Vagifem is great for the inside but does not really help much with your outer bits so if you ask for Ovestin this will help further. This is a cream rather then the pessary vagifem is. We have tons of threads on here about vaginal atrophy if you would like to read any more about it.

I have not had my ovaries removed but from what I have read, many women fall into a depression so I am not surprised you are feeling the way you do. You may be sensitive to progesterone. It is difficult to know with both oestrogen and progesterone to know which one can be causing the side effects you are experiencing.

This does not mean you cannot take HRT. There are still more options for you so please do not despair. I think it would help to be asked to be referred to an NHS menopause clinic as they will know more then your GP too.

Congratulations on getting married soon. It sounds exciting.

Your post was so cheering, it made me teary, thank you. X

Aw,, it was my pleasure.