Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Nanookster]

Hi everyone,

I have been taking a combined HRT (1mg oestrogen and 100mg progesterone) for the last 2 years. I recently had a reemergence of some symptoms and presumed that I need a higher dose of HRT. My Gynecologist did a hormone blood test it seems my oestrogen levels are now ok but my progesterone levels were low. So he has started me on a 6 month course of Agnus Castus and completely taken me off HRT.

 I know that hormones fluctuate wildly during peri menopause but I am curious as to why he took me off the HRT when I clearly needed it 2 years ago. The appointment today was so rushed that I only started to think about all the questions I have after I got home.

I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this? Have you been taken off HRT at some point in your peri-menopause journey?

[VanillaLover]

Crikey. Was this a private gynaecologist?

Sounds crazy

[sheila99]

Because he's an idiot, he wants to save the nhs money or he has shares in the agnus cactus company  . Seriously though I think you need to ask him how your symptoms of oestrogen deficiency will be improved by decreasing your levels even further. If you're seeing him privately vote with your feet.

[Taz2]

This sounds a strange thing to do. Agnus Castus can raise progesterone but I thought it also lowers oestrogen? Is this a private gynae? Also are you post meno if you are on continuous progesterone?

Taz x

[Joaniepat]

I wouldn't expect a gynaecologist to necessarily know much about menopause.  Is he a BMS accredited menopause specialist?
JP x

[Nanookster]

Thanks for your comments, everyone! I feel so heard and understood. I honestly thought it was just me thinking his decision to remove my HRT was a weird move.

I actually live in Germany (I am British) so he is a private Gyno as Germany doesn't have a public health system like the NHS. I'm going to book an appointment with him asap and ask to be put back on the HRT as it just seems so stupid to take me off it when I clearly needed it 2 years ago.

[Taz2]

Fingers crossed for you. So were you post meno two years ago when you began HRT? Not sure how old you are but I thought continuous progesterone was for post meno unless you are 53ish but you mention still being in peri. I get easily confused 

Taz x

[CLKD]

Vote with your feet!  . How long do you need to wait 4 an appt., I would look for a menopause specialist if possible as Gynaes rarely know much about menopause!

Let us know how you get on? 

If U have any HRT left over, begin using it!  No alternatives should be used for long periods anyway, also any benefit may be lost when hormones take over  . Could you look at his accreditation and at the web-site of the Company who is selling the Agnus Ca ... tus as he may be a director.   . If so a vested interest.

[Nanookster]

Hi @Taz2 - nope I was perimenopausal (still am). On researching the HRT he put me on, I found out that it's only really prescribed to women who are post-meno. This was another question I had for him today, but he took me off it and prescribed the Agnus Castus instead. Time to find another doctor!

[CLKD]

Peri-menopause are the years leading up to the menopause = last bleed.  Ever.  Peri can throw up all kinds of symptoms that we don't always recognise :: stands to reason then that medics won't always recognise them .........

Some find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary of use.

[Nanookster]

Peri-menopause are the years leading up to the menopause = last bleed.  Ever.  Peri can throw up all kinds of symptoms that we don't always recognise :: stands to reason then that medics won't always recognise them .........

Some find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary of use.

Thanks CLKD, I am definitely still peri-menopausal as I am still having periods (although very inconsistent). 2 years ago, my symptoms were so wild that they thought I had MS. Turns out, most of the symptoms were being caused by peri-menopause. This is why I cannot understand why he has now suddenly taken me off the HRT. It seems like a bizarre move.

[CLKD]

Let us know what you find out!  Probably tied-in with the Company - cynic?   Moi