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[Starshell]

Hi Everyone
So for the past 4 years have been on HRT and just can’t carry on with it anymore, have tried tablets, switched to gel and utrogestan but after initial improvement of the hot flushes and hopelessness feelings I have been struggling - I’ve been on here and have been very grateful for advice, have tried different ways of taking progesterone, less gel, more gel, cyclical regime, continuous regime etc and have recently undergone the tests for heavy bleeds, the trans vaginal scan, biopsy, ultrasound etc and no issues were found. The gynaecologist advised as I am 52 I should be back on the continuous regime and if that doesn’t stop the bleeding then I should maybe stop the HRT.
Not because of the gynaecologist advice but just because I am so sick of the heavy bleeding and anxiety I am going to try stopping altogether and see how I get on
I stopped the progesterone at the weekend and am feeling much less anxious already, I think I struggle with progesterone as always felt terrible when on the pill and the mirena call made me feel suicidal
So I’m currently using half a pump of Oestrogel in the morning and No Progesterone, I will stop using the Oestrogel soon as am aware I should not be using it without any progesterone
So, sorry for the ramble but what I wanted to ask was, are there any supplements anyone can recommend for the symptoms I tend to suffer from which are hot flashes and anxiety
I did also have awful discharge, almost like I had tissue paper coming from down below before I started hrt so if this comes back not sure how I will deal with that?
I don’t feel there’s any point speaking to my surgery as there are no doctors there who know about hrt, one of them, a female gp has been helpful more recently in that she listened to me etc but admitted she didn’t know much about hrt and would be guided by me! And I can’t afford to go private so I’m on my own really, well apart from the brilliant advice I have had on here 😊

[pastie supper]

Good Luck Starshell,
You need a break, whether you return to HRT later or not, you were quite young starting it, are you post meno or peri or can you not tell until you come off HRT?
I expect stopping HRT will sort out your bleeding and stopping progesterone in particular can help with mood.
Try Black Cohosh tablets from Holland and Barrett. I saw it recommended on here and it works for me and my older sister, although I'm now on HRT, she isn't.

[Penguin]

Sage can help with hot flushes, as can a certain antidepressant mentioned on here, I can't remember which one.
I used black cohosh under guidance of naturopath/ functional medicine doctor before starting hrt. It started off well but after a few months really mucked me up and made me quite unwell. It is quite strong stuff and I personally wouldn't take without supervision. Also bear in mind that you are not supposed to take for more than six months without a break.
Could you ask to be referred to a menopause clinic, there must be at least one in your county and you shouldn't be refused a referral if there isn't someone at your surgery who can help?
You could also look at adding phytoestrogens into your diet to help raise estrogen naturally. I know people who have done that to good effect.
Do you get regular exercise? That can also help with balancing and regulating.

[pastie supper]

Good idea Penguin, although not all counties have a specialist clinic for HRT or menopause. There isn't one here, not only in my county, but the entire health trust doesn't have one, we are referred to the trust just north of us and they have to see us but it's not easy as they are oversubscribed within their own trust already. There is certainly no 2ww, in some parts of the UK that is a pipe dream.

[Starshell]

Good Luck Starshell,
You need a break, whether you return to HRT later or not, you were quite young starting it, are you post meno or peri or can you not tell until you come off HRT?
I expect stopping HRT will sort out your bleeding and stopping progesterone in particular can help with mood.
Try Black Cohosh tablets from Holland and Barrett. I saw it recommended on here and it works for me and my older sister, although I'm now on HRT, she isn't.

Thanks Pastie! My sister  takes these too I think, I’m gonna give them a go, i seem to have very regular periods whether I am on continuous or cyclical hrt so be interesting to see if this changes when I stop! Some of my friends my age can’t believe I am still having such regular and very heavy bleeds but we are all different I suppose, thanks for your reply

[jaypo]

I'm not on hrt & won't lie,there's been a few struggles but the one vitamin that is important is vit d get one that has vit k included,this helps the calcium go to the "right" places,it's improved my sleep for sure,also magnesium glycinate is good,check these ones out first,to see if they're what you're looking for x

[Starshell]

Sage can help with hot flushes, as can a certain antidepressant mentioned on here, I can't remember which one.
I used black cohosh under guidance of naturopath/ functional medicine doctor before starting hrt. It started off well but after a few months really mucked me up and made me quite unwell. It is quite strong stuff and I personally wouldn't take without supervision. Also bear in mind that you are not supposed to take for more than six months without a break.
Could you ask to be referred to a menopause clinic, there must be at least one in your county and you shouldn't be refused a referral if there isn't someone at your surgery who can help?
You could also look at adding phytoestrogens into your diet to help raise estrogen naturally. I know people who have done that to good effect.

Oh thanks Penguin! I’ve never heard of phytoestrogens! Will google that
I do exercise regularly, and I find it has really helped with my mental health, I do about 45 minutes of a mix of cardio and Pilates classes around five times a week and as I have a sit down job try to walk as much as I can too
When the Dr gave me hrt she said I could try hrt or antidepressants, I was having a bad time at work with a bullying boss at the time but I am afraid of antidepressants and not being able to get off them so decided to try hrt
I will ask if there is a meno clinic local to me too

[Hurdity]

Hi Starshell

Firstly it is quite normal to continue having periods at your age - you are still quite young. What were your periods doing before you started HRT 4 years ago - were they few and far between?

Also have you tried patches like Femseven or Evorel sequi rather than gel? If you still have a fairly strong cycle then it maybe these could work better for you and especially on a cyclical regime? Perhpas worth a try?

Re supplements - before I started HRT I took black cohosh and initially I thought they were working but in fact it was just my own hormones coming and going and in the end of course, as my hormones took a dive they didn't work and I chucked them away. Personally I would rather take a "natural" bio-identical substance ie oestrogen than a herbal extract of a plant - because you are repalcing what is missing - but I understand your predicament. There must be a reason why you are having heavy bleeds. Usually the Mirena would be recommended, if there are no issues with your uterus, but if you've tried this then it is tricky....

I also did the phyto-oestrogen diet but again - no effect, and only adding oestrogen eliminated flushes and sweats.

Sorry I can't help further and all the best!

Hurdity x

[Starshell]

Thanks Jaypo and Penguin
Apologies Penguin I seem to have copied my reply in to your reply!

[Starshell]

Hi Starshell

Firstly it is quite normal to continue having periods at your age - you are still quite young. What were your periods doing before you started HRT 4 years ago - were they few and far between?

Also have you tried patches like Femseven or Evorel sequi rather than gel? If you still have a fairly strong cycle then it maybe these could work better for you and especially on a cyclical regime? Perhpas worth a try?

Re supplements - before I started HRT I took black cohosh and initially I thought they were working but in fact it was just my own hormones coming and going and in the end of course, as my hormones took a dive they didn't work and I chucked them away. Personally I would rather take a "natural" bio-identical substance ie oestrogen than a herbal extract of a plant - because you are repalcing what is missing - but I understand your predicament. There must be a reason why you are having heavy bleeds. Usually the Mirena would be recommended, if there are no issues with your uterus, but if you've tried this then it is tricky....

I also did the phyto-oestrogen diet but again - no effect, and only adding oestrogen eliminated flushes and sweats.

Sorry I can't help further and all the best!

Hurdity x

Thanks Hurdity, your advice is appreciated as is your knowledge on these things!

I always had very regular but not heavy periods before hrt, they are heavier now than they have ever been
I love  the fact that two people her have called me young 😊 as I feel ancient sometimes 🤣

I have never tried patches, gp said the gel was better as more controllable? But it could be worth trying patches if stopping the hrt is unbearable
I think I may have forgotten how awful I felt before I started on it! But I was having a really bad time then at work. Things are better in my life now so could be a good time to try stopping and see how I get on
I am wondering if anyone has tried the supplements that are marketed at meno specifically and whether they actually do make a difference?