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[Talli]

Hi everyone, sorry to post of this has already been covered but I recently started HRT (Lenzetto and Utrogestan 200mg a night)
I took one spray in the morning for two nights and two Utrogestan tablets at night as directed by GP but had horrific anxiety and a feeling of being wired and can’t settle.
I suffer with quite bad anxiety anyway and the surge in feelings was awful so I stopped but I’m still feeling the symptoms now a week later.
Is this normal? I’m panicking now
Wish I’d never tried it. Could just two days of it affect me this badly?

[CLKD]

What were your periods doing B4 U began replacement it may be that the regime has triggered your hormones to react.  Why did U begin HRT?

[Talli]

Hello, thank you so much for your reply.
My periods were fairly regular, getting slightly longer and lighter but nothing significant.
GP had been wanting me to start HRT for a long time because of atrophy and problems with penetration (sorry tmi) and anxiety so I finally tried it and now I feel awful.
I also take gabapentin for awful bladder pain and peeing issues

[CLKD]

Well nowt is too much info on here.

Some require VA treatment as well as HRT to keep symptoms under control.

Your GP could prescribe localised vaginal atrophy treatment if there are no contraindications.  The idea is that we insert 'vagifem', or 'ovestin' [prescribed] every night for 2-3 weeks and then as necessary.  Some ladies require nightly insertion every night, others manage symptoms with every 3rd and 5/6th night with the occasional top ups.

A moisturiser may help too, I use either extra 'ovestin' around the labia or KY Jelly.  There are 'yes' and 'sylc' too which seem to help.

VA mimics repeated urine infection-type symptoms really really well.  So medics still don't consider VA as a reason for intense need to P etc..  I use a pain relief to ease the nip as the urine flow shuts off.

'gina' is available in Boots for ladies over 50 if you can get to a Pharmacy, otherwise do ring your surgery on Monday to ask for VA treatment.  U don't require an exam or blood tests.  There is also a book "Me and My Menopausal Vagina", written by a Forum Member which is a good read!  Let us know how you get on, all is not lost!

[Talli]

Thank you so much.
I currently use Vagifem every night and also Ovestin on the outside which really helps.
I also use Yes moisturiser everyday so they are being very helpful.
I am seeing a psychosexual therapist for the pain too and am on Gabapentin for bladder issues.
I also have CFS and other health issues.
I was reluctant to use the systemic HRT but the GP fairly insisted 
Anyway, do you think only taking it for two days could have caused such a surge in symptoms?
Thank you again so much for replying. I feel very lost rn 

[CLKD]

It may well have over-ridden your own hormones.    Why would a GP 'insist' ....... although if U are already using VA treatments then he/she may think that systemic will possibly help with the atrophy.

I would stop the regime for a week to allow your body to settle.  It may be too much too soon or U may not require that regime.  Some find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary of use.

U could put the products names: individually: into the search box to read threads that pop up, make notes.

Has it been suggested that U use a dilator which may help the pain?

[sheila99]

It can make you feel worse if either the dose isn't right or you use something that disagrees with you. It can take several days to return to normal but it won't last forever. Did you anxiety arrive with peri or is it a longstanding issue? Mine was from oestrogen deficiency and went completely after 3 months on hrt so imo it's worth persevering to get it right. If you want to try again I'd suggest starting on a very low dose of oestrogen and no utrogeston. As you're peri you should be on a sequi regime anyway so you take it only days 15-26 of your cycle. Too much oestrogen can cause your symptoms but so can utrogeston and this way you'll know which is the culprit and can change accordingly.

[CLKD]

tnx sheila99

[Mary G]

I think your problem is too little oestrogen and too much progesterone.

I used Lenzetto several years ago and although I liked the user friendly application, I found it very weak and my symptoms returned.  Even when I worked up to three sprays every day, it was only giving me the same oestrogen blood level as one pump of Oestrogel.

200mg Utrogestan is far too high a dose for that level of oestrogen so I'm not surprised it isn't working.  I would increase the Lenzetto and reduce the Utrogestan to 100mg and use it vaginally because it has fewer side effects.

It sounds like you need some topical oestrogen cream if you have atrophy and bladder problems.  Something like Ovestin which I think you can buy over the counter and without a prescription in the UK now.

[Talli]

It may well have over-ridden your own hormones.    Why would a GP 'insist' ....... although if U are already using VA treatments then he/she may think that systemic will possibly help with the atrophy.

I would stop the regime for a week to allow your body to settle.  It may be too much too soon or U may not require that regime.  Some find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary of use.

U could put the products names: individually: into the search box to read threads that pop up, make notes.

Has it been suggested that U use a dilator which may help the pain?

Thank you I will do that.
I stopped after a few days but I’m still feeling awful.
I’ve had quite extreme mental health issues in the past including se*f h**m and this brought all those feelings back.
I’m terrified of trying anything like it again 

[Talli]

It can make you feel worse if either the dose isn't right or you use something that disagrees with you. It can take several days to return to normal but it won't last forever. Did you anxiety arrive with peri or is it a longstanding issue? Mine was from oestrogen deficiency and went completely after 3 months on hrt so imo it's worth persevering to get it right. If you want to try again I'd suggest starting on a very low dose of oestrogen and no utrogeston. As you're peri you should be on a sequi regime anyway so you take it only days 15-26 of your cycle. Too much oestrogen can cause your symptoms but so can utrogeston and this way you'll know which is the culprit and can change accordingly.

Thank you for your reply 
I’ve had long standing mental health issues since I was a child, quite serious ones, and all those feelings back so I’m pretty terrified of trying anything again.
I was on a 15 day on 15 day off cycle but I only managed a few days until it was just too much for me
I dont feel I can go through that again.
 

[Talli]

I think your problem is too little oestrogen and too much progesterone.

I used Lenzetto several years ago and although I liked the user friendly application, I found it very weak and my symptoms returned.  Even when I worked up to three sprays every day, it was only giving me the same oestrogen blood level as one pump of Oestrogel.

200mg Utrogestan is far too high a dose for that level of oestrogen so I'm not surprised it isn't working.  I would increase the Lenzetto and reduce the Utrogestan to 100mg and use it vaginally because it has fewer side effects.

It sounds like you need some topical oestrogen cream if you have atrophy and bladder problems.  Something like Ovestin which I think you can buy over the counter and without a prescription in the UK now.

Thank you that’s really interesting to know!
At the moment I’m too scared to try it again as it made me feel close to my old, very unwell mentally, self.
I already have Vagifem prescribed and Ovestin which I use nightly.
I think maybe I just do t need it yet or it’s the wrong dose as you say. I’m just too scared to try it again now.
I can’t believe just a few days of it could make me feel so bad 

[Talli]

Also, it’s worth me mentioning that I’ve had significant vaginal atrophy including total labial re-absorbtion since I was in my early 30’s and I’m 41 now (I’ve been receiving treatment for about 10 years) and I’m still having regular periods etc so I’d be surprised if it was caused only by menopause which is what I’m trying to get the GPs to understand. They just keep saying it’s menopause but I’m not sure if it is only that causing it. No doubt it’s complicating the situation but I do t think it’s the only culprit. I just feel lost now.

[CLKD]

It's actually peri-menopause  - those years leading up the last bleed = menopause.  Though we are told to wait 12 months without a bleed to be certain, even then Mother Nature can throw the curved ball   

It doesn't take much for the old brain to begin it's cycle of what ifs etc.. 

Who is over-seeing your on-going vaginal/vulval problems?  If it's your GP: many lack knowledge about peri etc.: U may benefit from an appt with a dedicated menopause clinic, there are waiting lists for both private and NHS clinics.  Your local Hospital may have a clinic, might be worth looking on the websites.

[Talli]

It's actually peri-menopause  - those years leading up the last bleed = menopause.  Though we are told to wait 12 months without a bleed to be certain, even then Mother Nature can throw the curved ball   

It doesn't take much for the old brain to begin it's cycle of what ifs etc.. 

Who is over-seeing your on-going vaginal/vulval problems?  If it's your GP: many lack knowledge about peri etc.: U may benefit from an appt with a dedicated menopause clinic, there are waiting lists for both private and NHS clinics.  Your local Hospital may have a clinic, might be worth looking on the websites.

Thanks:)
It is the menopause specialist nurse at my clinic. She’s an ANP and she won’t refer me to menopause clinic as she feels if I just took the HRT I’d be ok.
Two other Drs have suggested it to her but she over rides them each time saying I just need HRT :/
Would peri go on for over ten years? I thought ten was the maximum it could take and it’s been over they now since I’ve had these issues?
Two specialist DRs at GUM plus my psychosexual therapist feel there is more going on than peri and have written to the nurse and told her but she insists that HRT will ‘save the day’
I’m not convinced.