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[Peri2022]

Hi everyone, I'm 45 and have been on Estradot (first 37.5, now 50mcg) and Utrogestan (cyclically) since December for mainly low mood, anxiety, brain fog and fatigue. Thankfully my mood is much better overall and physically I feel pretty good (apart from palpitations, which I've posted about recently) but I still get sudden overwhelming waves of exhaustion after things that would have been so easy until perimenopause - like a very long walk, or even an intense Zoom meeting. When the fatigue hits, it's not just like regular tiredness, it's like my 'battery' has been completely drained - I describe it half-jokingly to my family as 'powering down' - and I need to sleep ASAP. It is such an intense tiredness, it's quite scary sometimes.

While I'm so relieved that my mood is better, the waves of exhaustion have really forced me to change my work and my lifestyle and I would very much like them to sod off! I wonder if testosterone would help. My libido is fine but the energy levels are really the problem. I'd love to hear from anyone who's been on T for a while, good or bad. Thank you.

[SarahT]

Hiya Peri,

This is something I have been asking my gp about for many months. I have the same waves of exhaustion, and am actually dreadfully tired every day. I also have joint pain and muscle fatigue. My gp will not offer testosterone but is doing other tests to see what may be going on. Like you I have had to alter my life drastically. On a daily walk I have to ask my husband to let me sit down several times, and he is 20 years older. My hour + power walks are a distant memory. If I do a lot physically in a day I have to rest the following day.

Looking on previous threads i think testosterone tends to be prescribed only for libido?

[Hurdity]

Hi Peri2022 - sorry to hear about your exahustion. However if your libido is fine then it is doubtful that testosterone is needed at this stage as this is usually the first thing to go and the first sign that testosterone is declining. Not sure that sudden waves of exhuastion would be caused by low testosterone (?) - it's more persistent tiredness and muscle fatigue especially after exercise. Also you are still pretty young!

Have you been checked out for other causes - thyroid function,  sugar levels vitamins, mineral, diet etc?

What were your periods doing before you started HRT in December ie how irregular were they - gaps etween periods etc? Did you have flushes and sweats?

Is there a point in the cycle or time of day or other factor which could be the cause of these waves of exhaustion? Perhaps keep a diary noting your symptoms, the HRT cycle, food, how you feel etc which might help pinpoint the reason?

Hurdity x

[Peri2022]

Thanks both for your replies. Sarah, I’m sorry you’ve had to change your lifestyle because of these waves of fatigue, it’s really disheartening! I think you and I have been on similar journeys, and I hope you can find some cause (and treatment) for your fatigue.

Hurdity, my periods were irregular and extremely heavy/painful, along with night sweats, sudden and devastating depression, anxiety, brain fog, you name it. Definitely deep into peri. Low Testosterone may not be the cause of my fatigue but I do wonder if it would help, as it seems to have done for others.

As a side note, libido was pretty rubbish on 37.5 Estradot but the fireworks are back on 50 ;-)

[Peri2022]

Whoops, forgot to say I recently had full blood work up which was fine. Reassuring but also frustrating!

[Hurdity]

Hi Peri - glad the fireworks are back  !

Also that you blood tests came out OK.

I wonder if you might be better off with one of the pills designed for peri-menopause in younger women like QLAIRA or ZOELY. I think they both have newer generation progestogens but also regulate the cycle so you don't get the massive hormonal fluctuations - it could be these that are partially to blame - your own cycle breaking through etc?  They both contain estradiol which is bio-identical - same as in the patch. Or potentially higher dose patch?

Hurdity x

[SarahT]

Peri yes we do seem to match in our happy peri journey don't we?😠
Although I am always worse symptoms wise in the lead up to my period ( coil so no actual bleeds) I am beginning g to think mine is not fully hormonal, I am on a 125 patch ( think we have both been on that thread) to suppress my natural cycle. Not sure my body is in total agreement yet but seems to show improvements.

So I am thinking more underlying causes. Like you bloods came back low but not low enough for further meds.
 At the age of 56 and still getting very regular periods I would have hoped to be way over this stage by now.

Hope something can be out there to help you. My fireworks light up but I would wish for a better display!!

[Peri2022]

Oh Sarah, I do hope you get some answers! I can defo empathise with the fireworks lighting up but a weak display…I had noticed that my ‘display’ had become a pale imitation of what it used to be and thought that was it for life…I feel lucky (and surprised) that such a small increase in Estradot had such a change. There’s life in the old girl yet…

[SarahT]

Light up that sky girl! Am just grateful I am better than a weak sparkler!

If and when I get any answers I supplied about the fatigue in case it rings any bells.
Take care x