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Author Topic: Could it be low oestrogen  (Read 1819 times)

Epona52

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Could it be low oestrogen
« on: March 29, 2025, 05:22:42 PM »

Hi,
Just a little update after problems with vagirux, I phoned the doctors and explained that vagirux gave me migraines and he agreed to switch it back to vagifem, when I received my prescription it was the generic version instead, but after one use I've had no headache so all good, I did ask for vagifem by name but was told these were exactly the same just a reusable applicater,
Also had bloods done and thyroid is all good, so just waiting to see the female doctor I requested and was told its a four week wait!! I'm guessing now it will all be down to the hormone blood tests to give me a possible answer as to why I feel so low in mood, very dry skin including nipple area and down below, hair and nails are brittle and now have a uti, this journey has been a difficult one,
Best wishes to all x
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Dandelion

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Re: Could it be low oestrogen
« Reply #1 on: March 30, 2025, 10:05:18 AM »

Hi,
Just a little update after problems with vagirux, I phoned the doctors and explained that vagirux gave me migraines and he agreed to switch it back to vagifem, when I received my prescription it was the generic version instead, but after one use I've had no headache so all good, I did ask for vagifem by name but was told these were exactly the same just a reusable applicater,
Also had bloods done and thyroid is all good, so just waiting to see the female doctor I requested and was told its a four week wait!! I'm guessing now it will all be down to the hormone blood tests to give me a possible answer as to why I feel so low in mood, very dry skin including nipple area and down below, hair and nails are brittle and now have a uti, this journey has been a difficult one,
Best wishes to all x
Hello
If you are on systemic oestrogen as in patch, gel this may need increasing, or you may need to go on it if not to help symptoms.
I was walking around for years on low oestrogen, my doc and me had decreased it due to bleeds and I only got bloods done in Feb, which brought the 112 level to light, so I am currently going up in steps and noticing improvements each time, not there yet but getting there.
Oh, and my doc added in testosterone in November as well.
There's loads of helpful videos on YouTube that I only discovered 10 years after I started HRT LOL 😐
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bombsh3ll

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Re: Could it be low oestrogen
« Reply #2 on: March 30, 2025, 02:17:37 PM »

Menopause is a clinical diagnosis, there is no utility in checking gonadal hormones in an untreated woman who has vaginal atrophy, low mood, widespread dry skin and UTIs.

Your estrogen level will be in your boots, and there is no need to wait 4 weeks to find this out.

Systemic treatment is warranted to address these symptoms irrespective of blood tests.
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Kathleen

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Re: Could it be low oestrogen
« Reply #3 on: March 30, 2025, 04:54:17 PM »

Hello ladies

Dandelion -

Clearly your previously low oestrogen was successful in controlling the bleeding but obviously that isn't great if you feel horrible.
If your GP has now agreed that you need more oestrogen to feel well hopefully he/she has a plan should the bleeding reappear.

Wishing you well and take care.

K.
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Epona52

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Re: Could it be low oestrogen
« Reply #4 on: March 30, 2025, 05:42:56 PM »

Hi, and thank you all so much for your responses, I'm currently on 4 pumps of gel, and a pea sized amount of testosterone, just feel this low mood etc, has happened all of a sudden, I still have the anxiety, but at moment it's lack of interest in anything and just feel flat, extremely tired all the time, that's why I thought it could be thyroid but all ok in that area, level was 1.58, I'm going to have a chat when I see the doctor and would like to know where I'm at in this journey,
Best wishes x
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Dandelion

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Re: Could it be low oestrogen
« Reply #5 on: April 04, 2025, 11:21:42 AM »

Menopause is a clinical diagnosis, there is no utility in checking gonadal hormones in an untreated woman who has vaginal atrophy, low mood, widespread dry skin and UTIs.

Your estrogen level will be in your boots, and there is no need to wait 4 weeks to find this out.

Systemic treatment is warranted to address these symptoms irrespective of blood tests.
I agree with this.
While I have had bloods, just so Dr can see where we are, the treatment based on symptoms is the best.
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Dandelion

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Re: Could it be low oestrogen
« Reply #6 on: April 04, 2025, 11:27:34 AM »

Hello ladies

Dandelion -

Clearly your previously low oestrogen was successful in controlling the bleeding but obviously that isn't great if you feel horrible.
If your GP has now agreed that you need more oestrogen to feel well hopefully he/she has a plan should the bleeding reappear.

Wishing you well and take care.

K.
Hi Kathleen and thank you. Wishing you well too.
Yes, my Drs and myself both thought the way to go with bleeding was to lower the oestrogen in 3 downward stages at each bleed till it stopped.
I was on the max licensed dose of progesterone, using one vaginally, as Dr Currie had said this is more effective getting straight to the site.
I did not connect the dots when menopause symptoms started creeping back, in 2021.
It wasn't until 2024 that I found out that menopause is not temporary, LOL  ;D
Back to the Dr I went, initially for testosterone, but then, low oestrogen was identified.
I am now realising the importance of patience with balancing hormones as it's been 4 months since I revisited my hormone regime, still not sleeping, other physical and mental symptoms still lingering, but improving slowly and I just increased to 125mcg as per Dr's advice in March.
We did touch upon the progesterone side of things if bleeding reappears, thankfully, it hasn't.

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Dandelion

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Re: Could it be low oestrogen
« Reply #7 on: April 04, 2025, 11:30:00 AM »

Hi, and thank you all so much for your responses, I'm currently on 4 pumps of gel, and a pea sized amount of testosterone, just feel this low mood etc, has happened all of a sudden, I still have the anxiety, but at moment it's lack of interest in anything and just feel flat, extremely tired all the time, that's why I thought it could be thyroid but all ok in that area, level was 1.58, I'm going to have a chat when I see the doctor and would like to know where I'm at in this journey,
Best wishes x
I think, rightly or wrongly, in postmeno bloods are good to give you and the Drs an idea of where you are at.
I would never have known why I have been feeling worse and worse, if I had not had bloods taken in Feb, the Dr and me now have something to go on and a treatment plan which I am in at the moment.
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Epona52

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Re: Could it be low oestrogen
« Reply #8 on: April 04, 2025, 07:37:12 PM »

Thank you dandelion,
I have doctors on Tuesday and I'm going to ask for blood tests among other things, just hope the brain fog doesn't make me forget everything I need to ask her,
I was hoping to be out of the other side by now, but seems my body has other ideas  :o
Best wishes x
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Epona52

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Re: Could it be low oestrogen
« Reply #9 on: April 04, 2025, 07:55:06 PM »

Just wanted to mention I was prescribed
Nitrofurantoin for the uti and it made me feel really unwell, I developed eye bags and it just knocked me sideways, not a drug I would want again, my mood was so low and I became tearful in the week following, is that normal?
X
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Epona52

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Re: Could it be low oestrogen
« Reply #10 on: April 10, 2025, 06:10:30 PM »

Hello ladies,
I have finally had my appointment with the doctor who has agreed to do blood tests for oestrogen and testosterone, progesterone etc, I was just wondering if I should leave out the hrt twenty four hours beforehand to get a true result, many thanks in advance for any advice..
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