Print

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

[GillianC]

Hi guys,

42 and been prescribed HRT. 3 days into applying the gel (one pump), I felt horribly agitated, angry and wired. Is it possible that my own hormone levels are still quite high and supplenting with HRT is the last thing I need? Also, does anyone wish they'd held off starting HRT until they were older/their symptoms worsened? I'm worried I'll build tolerance, the HRT will lose its efficacy and I'll struggle when my symptoms worsen and I really need it.

Context: pretty bad PMT/PMDD, peri symptoms are mainly aching joints, low mood, weight gain... Periods are regular but are so light they barely last a day.

Sincere thanks for any help anyone can give!

[CLKD]

  

Don't wait until 'it is worse'. Some find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary of use to chart progress.  Which HRT have you been prescribed and what are your periods up to?  Which symptom do you want to ease first?

I don't think that we build a 'tolerance' as there are several ways of delivering HRT.  Who is overseeing your prescription?

As oestrogen levels drop the body may become dry: inside and out; scalp, between the toes, vagina, anus, deep in the ears, eyes; as well as muscles may become lax = aches and pains. I believe that oestrogen is the bodies elastic .

I understand PMT - I was advised to eat every 3 hours, 24/7 to keep energy levels even.  DH and I have in the last 12 months rejigged our diet, cutting out as much ultra processed foods as possible.  He has always cooked from scratch but I do tend to snack on croissants etc..  Tolerance has gone as I age and some find that they have to give up alcohol as they age.

It mayB that your body doesn't need as much replacement: hopefully some1 will suggest applying a few times a week with gaps to build up a level that is comfortable.

[GillianC]

Oh, I didn't know applying a few times a week was an option. Thanks for replying, and for your advice. Periods are between 28 and 32 days but really are next to nothing. The main symptoms I want to tackle are the low mood and rage, and the joint pain. To be honest, I wonder how much of this could also be down to my diet - lots of sugar and processed rubbish - and weight gain.
My GP prescribed oestrogel and progesterone capsules (but I didn't even get to that stage before I stopped). I felt so awful that I assumed I had too much oestrogen.
It feels like a minefield.

[CLKD]

It can B a mine field. 1 should never assume anything about anything at all, assuming almost landed me in Court    [long story short]

MayB put the product name into the search box on the Forum as no-one has been with advice: make notes ;-)

Remind me has the rage started since you started the testosterone?  What does it suggest on the label in the box?

[GillianC]

Oh dear... sounds complicated!

Haven't started testosterone. Rage has been part of PMT for the last few years.

I basically just worry I'm not ready for it yet and will regret starting it too soon.

Gel is Oestrodose estradiol.

[CLKD]

It does sound complicated until one finds a regime that eases symptoms.  Don't despair!

[bombsh3ll]

I've never heard anyone regret starting hormone therapy too soon, but many regret starting too late!

You can't develop tolerance to estradiol or progesterone - your body has been producing them itself since puberty!

That kind of thinking comes from years of negative messaging that hormone therapy is somehow dangerous or something to be stigmatized and discouraged, leading people to view it like benzodiazepines or opiates.

Hormone therapy can however be difficult to juggle around your own cycle in perimenopause, and if you haven't considered it already a combined pill taken continuously can result in better hormonal stability and symptom control in the perimenopause by shutting down your own cycle and adding back a stable low daily dose of hormones.

[sheila99]

Feeling wired can be from too much iestrogen. You would be better reducing to half a pump every day so you get a consistent dose rather than missing days. Some people are more sensitive to it than others and it might be that your body needs more time to adapt. IMO you really need a holistic approach to feel well, we no longer get away with things we could tolerate when we were younger. So maybe tackle the diet, exercise, alcohol etc too. It might help to keep a diary so you can see if symptoms are cyclical.

[CLKD]

Morning.  Is Crohns genetic ?  Do U have any symptoms or diagnosis of same? 

I would never consider doing any testing for hormone levels if that's what you have .......... how sure can we be that these over the counter test kits are reliable?  Sold = making money on the back of someone's concerns?  Cynic: moi?

Tnx bombshell, eloquently put.

[GillianC]

Yeah, you're right to be cynical - I suspect the tests are very unreliable. I was just desperate for some idea of where I'm at in the whole process.

Genetics may play a part with Crohn's and a study suggests the combined pill can elevate your risk further. It's a chance I'd rather not take.

Thanks again for advice, guys.

[CLKD]

R U able to expand on that 'study'?  How long ago for example and who sponsored any research?  Something to judge your symptoms against mayB?  Also, Quality of Life ;-)

[GillianC]

https://www.webmd.com/ibd-crohns-disease/crohns-disease/crohns-disease-oral-contraceptives

[bombsh3ll]

I didn't know that about the combined pill, it doesn't worry me as I've been on it for 15 years but I can understand your concern if you have a family history of Crohn's.

Alternative options to the combined pill are the evra patch or the Nuvaring.

They don't do through the gut.

[CLKD]

We are a mine of aren't we, 

[GillianC]

Thanks bombsh3ell - I didn't realise those were alternatives. Will look into them. 👍