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[discogirl]

Just wanted some advice really.

Im currently on 3 pumps of oestrogel which ive been on since last november.

I started cyclogest about a month and a half ago 100mg which i feel fine on.

lately however my breasts are very tender and sore and enlarged. ive put on a lot of weight since starting hrt so im wondering if my estrogen is a bit too high for me now. i had my levels checked and they were 448. or could this be a side effect of the cyclogest?

thanks so much for any replies x

[Kathleen]

Hello discogirl

I have been using Cyclogest pessaries for some time now and I don't have any breast tenderness. 

The last time I experienced this problem was when I was on a much higher dose of Sandrena gel and Utrogestan vaginally on alternate nights. As time went on the tenderness became worse and when I noticed spotting then bleeding I was referred for tests. All was okay and I was told to reduce my Oestrogen. Fortunately  the bleeding resolved quickly and then the breast tenderness began to lessen.
I was told that the problem was likely due to too much Oestrogen but I also think that the Utrogestan dose was too low.

Since being on Cyclogest I have been using much less Oestrogen and I haven't had any issues with breast tenderness or bleeding.

I hope this is helpful and take care.

K.

[discogirl]

Hi Kathleen

I hope you're ok.

I was thinking it might be the correlation between the gel and dose of cyclogest im on.

The last time my estrogen was too high i had tender and sore breasts and slight bleeding. Ive had no bleeding this time.

As i said i have put weight on since starting hrt and i will be gettting some estrogen from my fat cells it could be that. my estrogen blood levels are 448 which seemed good to me.

thanks for taking the time to reply xx

[DottyD68]

Hi discogirl,

At the beginning of the year I reduced my Oestrogel from 4 to 3 pumps as I was getting really loud/fluttery palpitations and ectopic beats and bad anxiety. This seemed to settle it and all was well til May when we were in France for the month where weather was very hot. By the last week my boobs were huge and really painful and I felt huge overall. We'd been really active cycling and walking etc and eating pretty healthily so it couldn't be from normal weight gain. It continued when I got home to the heatwave and I read somewhere (on here I think) that Oestrogel is absorbed better in the heat. I decided to reduce gel to 2 pumps and within a week my boobs felt more normal in size and no pain. In conclusion I think you sore boobs could be from too much gel. I'd try to reduce it a bit and see what happens. I think there's also a link between the balance between oestrogen and progesterone but I haven't worked that one out yet.

I'm now in the situation where I'm suffering from low oestrogen symptoms (low mood, insomnia, irritability etc) so now the weather has cooled  I have started increasing the gel to try and overcome those symptoms being mindful that I need to make sure I don't get sore boobs again. It's such an ongoing balancing act as our own hormones fluctuate.

Good luck x

[discogirl]

Hi DottyD68

Thats really helpful. Thinking about it I think I remember the same thing about Oestrogen being absorbed better in the heat. Its a fine balancing act getting the ratio between estrogen and progesterone right.

Once you increase to 3 pumps again you should start to feel better. Its a constantly moving target isnt it. So will you stay on 3 pumps throughout winter?

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply and take care x

[DottyD68]

I'm not sure yet. I am due a HRT review soon for advice. The low mood/irritability/anger is a new symptom that I havent experienced for an extended period so far (during my lengthy perimenopause journey)  and I really need to get it sorted as it is affecting my day to day life. Ive reluctantly upp'd my oestrogen to try and sort that but I need to balance that with the sore/tender boobs and weight gain which seems to occur with too much oestrogen and equally gets me down.
It feels like it's a constantly moving target as I get closer to menopause and my own hormones keep fluctuating.

[discogirl]

Peri Menopause is a very difficult time.

I find that just when you think you've hit the right spot, something else comes along and upsets the apple cart.

I do hope you get settled once again, I'm sure you will.

Take care xxx

[SarahT]

Morning Dotty,

I am the same symptom wise has always been about worsening fluctuating moods. I have noticed a bit of breast pain which I am trying to combat with eve primrose high strength capsules. My body seems better on a higher patch. Obviously our own peri symtoms are all over the place.
I have finally upped my patches to 125, but now added in a low dose AD. I am particularly bad ( well, horrendous) with severe pms now. Another gift from perimenopause.
I was reluctant, but quality of life was pretty grim, so I am looking at the AD as a bit of extra support that I hope may be not lifelong.

Wish you well x

[SarahT]

Forgot to mention the weight gain too. A mix of higher oestrogen and joint\muscle pain means harder to move so weight has a double whammy.

For me, I am trying to tackle one big symptom at a time. So hopefully moods may improve now, am being investigated 're joint pain, as hrt has not improved this at all-time getting worse. So along with osteo arthritis in both hips, am being checked for cortisol levels then referred to a rheumatologist.

That means, weight  issue, whilst hated and having an extra impact on my joints will need to be reluctantly put aside.... Fun all this isn't it.😠

Take care

[MrsE!]

Morning lovely ladies,
Hope today is going to be a good one
Reading through all the latest posts, I just need some advice before I see a Menopause specialist. I've had my hawaii birthday,  haven't reached full Menopause yet. Periods are pretty much non available, then there may be some for a couple of months  shorter in time, but heavy, then it's all done. Brain fog, hot flushes.  I feel the cold, but walking barefoot, sleeping in barely nothing. Underweight due to Crohns, also MS. Dry skin has cleared up since coming off patches. Currently on nothing.  Any advice on what may help re moody cow,and the flushes, oh and memory.. forgot that one.
Lack of sleep again.  Oops 

[discogirl]

Hi MrsE!

Just noticed your post, you may get replies if you start a new thread with a new title.

Hope you're okay x