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[Nik2502]

Hi ladies

Ive been on HRT now for 14 years - I’m 54.
Up until last year I was on 175 oestrogen with Provera 10mg. I cut down to one100 patch over the past year and felt much better.
I’ve recently suffered a decline in my symptoms and mental health so increased back up to 125.
Oh my god I felt like death. Shaking, crying, anxiety and panic attacks.
I cut down to 100 again with no change so recently cut down again to 75.
Do older ladies need less oestrogen or is it one of those how long is a piece of string questions?

Thank you x

[sheila99]

I'm interested in the answer too. For me I've only ever needed more but although I'm older than you I'm not long post meno. It would be nice if we needed less but I'm not convinced yet.

[Nik2502]

Hi Sheila

I know Louise Newson explained that older ladies do often need less oestrogen as their own hormones are more balanced than the ups and downs of peri.

I’ve always needed more to kerb my symptoms in the past so this is weird!

Let’s see how I get on.

Nik x

[Kathleen]

Hello Nik2502

Despite me being a long way post meno, Newson Health were keen to get me on a high dose of Oestrogen and a very low dose of progesterone.  I eventually reached the equivalent of six pumps of gel with only one 100mg tablet of Utrogestan used vaginally every other night. Although I felt ' normal ' sometimes, I continued to be very unstable emotionally. 
My next port of call was an NHS Consultant who said that post meno women did better on low doses of Oestrogen so ' less was more'.
I eventually reduced to the equivalent of 25 mg gel but my VA problems increased dramatically so I have settled on 50 mg.
I am still struggling with emotional symptoms so I have a way to go unfortunately.

My instinct is that less oestrogen is likely best for us older post meno women, other women, not on HRT seem to manage okay, plus higher doses of oestrogen caused me breast pain and bleeding.

Sorry for the long and rambling post but I thought my experiences might be of interest.

Take care.

K.

[Nik2502]

Thank you Kathleen. I appreciate your comments.

It’s interesting that most of this is trial and error.  Doctors seem to assume we keep needing more oestrogen but, definitely in my case, I think I need less.

I don’t feel anywhere near my usual self - still tearful and low but not to the extent I was earlier in the week when I was a suicidal wreck. 

I think we just have to give adjustments time and take it from there.

Nik x

[MrsMitch]

Can't really add any advice Nik, but I just wanted to say I'm glad you're feeling better than you were earlier in the week. I'm so sorry you were so down.
It's heartbreaking to hear of the emotional struggles that the menopause brings, it really is. I certainly hope that the next generation of ladies coming up behind us, and the one after that will have faster, better and more accurate diagnosis and treatment.  I just hope we still have an NHS otherwise coat will prevent many women obtaining treatment.
I really hope you continue to improve and find the right dose for you. Let us know how your week goes.

[jillydoll]

I was originally on 4 pumps gel, but now I’m on 2.
I’m doing good on it.
I’m hoping to reduce further in the new year to just 1 pump.
I’m 10 years post meno, coming up to 60 next month.

[Nik2502]

Thank you MrsMitch and jillydoll

I definitely feel better on the lower dose but am having some hot flushes and still anxious. My palpitations have gone though which is great!

I sincerely hope that young women have much better care than we’ve had. It’s such a fight!

N x

[jillydoll]

Seems I spoke too soon.
Felt awful last week, couldn’t understand what was going on.
Then I crashed, anxiety through the roof, high blood pressure, felt really poorly, not slept properly for weeks, but put that down to my body getting used to having just 2 pumps. 
Rushed to see the doctor, who was absolutely lovely, even held my hand at one point when I broke down, who said she didn’t think anything serious was wrong with me other than my hrt wasnt right. 🤷🏼‍♀️
So she’s advised me to up my utrogestion, to 200mg, and up my gel back to 4 pumps. ( I said that’s what I was on before) ..so it seems I can’t manage on just 2 pumps. 🤷🏼‍♀️

It’s been two days now since I’ve upped my gel, and I’m starting to feel better. Still a bit wobbly and headaches, but better than before, AND I slept all night last night, no night sweats.
Haven’t started the utrogestion yet as it’s been my 3 day break. Just hope I’m ok on it. 🤞🏼
That might be a different story. 

[MrsMitch]

A good night's sleep helps a great deal so it's good to hear you managed that. I tried going down to 2 pumps of gel earlier in the summer but my symptoms gradually came back so I've recently gone back up to four.
The specialist I saw this week said to try once a year from now on reducing by one pump and if no symptoms return after 3 months try just two. But she said as soon as symptoms return, go back to the dose where you had none and accept that's where tmyou need to be. She said there is no point taking any hrt if it doesn't improve things.
So now you know where you need to be so hopefully you'll continue to improve. I do hope this week will be better for you.

[Kathleen]

Hello ladies.

Jillydoll - I am sorry that you have had problems but I am very grateful that
 you posted an update.  It helps other ladies to read honest outcomes of changes in HRT.

I am also in a quandary re HRT as I believe my current dose isn't very effective but I am afraid any increase would result in bleeding etc. I also remember the last time I came off it and that didn't go well either!


I hope you soon settle on your new regime. Your GP sounds lovely and clearly has your best interests at heart.

Good luck and wishing you well.

K.

[MrsMitch]

Hello Kathleen, I just wanted to mention to you, and forgive me if you already know this, there is progesterone that will stop bleeding if you are on a higher dose of oestrogen.  Bombsh3ll gave me a list on one if my threads about progesterone,  she's so knowledgeable as you may know already!
I ran these past my meno specialist this week as I don't want to bleed. She agreed with all the different progesterone I gave her and said I could try one if I wanted but - and here's the thing - because I haven't had children I'm more at risk of endometrial cancer on hrt so she said staying on my current doses would be much better and stop Utrogestan for 3 days every month to induce a bleed. So I've resigned myself to the fact I will carry on bleeding every month. No more periods was what I was looking forward to, as I got older, but never mind.
Again, apologies if you know the above info, just thought it may help, if not.

[Kathleen]

Hello Mrs Mitch

Thank you so much for your suggestion about progesterone. I will mention it to my Nurse Practitioner when I see her for my HRT review.

Wishing you well and take care.

K.