Print

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

[JLCM3107]

Hi
51 and suffered peri menopause symptoms just before Covid - main and only real issue symptom for me was the hot flushes. I had a marina coil fitted in 2017 and was for the last 2 years on Estrogel which helped massively with the flushes. I occasionaly tried to withdraw from the gel to see if hot flushes had gone but they soon came back (so know it was working and still needed). Anyway I decided to have coil removed as no longer needed for contraception and have just been put on progesterone 100mg tablets (one a day) as was told by GP that I couldnt have oestrogen alone. Been taking it for two weeks and have had a lot of spotting and now a full blown period or fake period as my GP told me. I'm gutted after all these years to now have the periods, sanitary ware and cramps! Is there no other way? do i just have the coil fitted again?

Another issue I have found in the past year or so has been an incredibley itchy face that would flare up quite badly on the chin, eyebrows and sides of mouth. No creams over the counter or prescription helped and Doctors had no clue how to help and bascially said it might be effect of HRT/menopuase and could stop taking gel but depends on if I could live with it or not.  Since taking progesterone tablets it has stopped but I still had it when I had the coil (so did the coil stop administering enough progesterone?) - has anyone else had this experience?

I dont want to be on HRT forever, and the funny thing is no one tells you when you should stop - my GP (male, about 30 years and clueless) said - only you will know when to stop... but how? if you stop taking is that a bad idea or not or do you slowly withdraw?

I don't know what i'm meant to do really or what advice I'm looking for - just good to be on here and hope somethings make sense in reading other forums. Im particularly bothered about the periods and spotting  - will this be something i will know happens or not? i go on hols in a few weeks and my entire wardrobe on holiday is beige and white - so that will be fun! Do i always wear protection as I dont know when it will happen!

[CLKD]

   why can't U have another coil if it helped?  The effects do wear off which is why it is recommended to change it after about 5 years, mayB read the 'mirena coil' threads on the Forum.  Make notes ;-).

As for being on HRT for a long time, why not? There R 2 many medics telling women that we 'should stop at X age'.  Replacement - if that keeps you feeling well then worth a try though it mayB Trial and Error initially.

Do U have a womb which is why women are advised to have some form of progesterone.  As oestrogen levels drop the body may become dry: inside and out; scalp, skin, deep in the ears, eyes, vagina, anus; as well as muscles may become lax = aches and pains.  Do read the threads on Vaginal Atrophy: 4warned is 4armed.

Let us know how you get on!

[bombsh3ll]

At 51 you may be a while off menopause, so if the IUS worked for you then the obvious solution would be to get another.

That way you can take whatever estrogen you need and your endometrium is kept in check.

Menopause can lead to everything becoming dry, this is primarily due to the estrogen loss but testosterone also plays a role in helping the skin produce its natural oils.

If you are already on the dose of hormones that you are happy with or have access to without a specialist, a good moisturizer (and SPF when outside) are a must. Actually they are anyway.

Regarding how long you stay on treatment, that's entirely your choice and largely depends on whether you are just looking to suppress hot flushes or for long term bone and cardiometabolic health etc.

Me personally, unless I were to develop an absolute contraindication, I will be on hormone therapy until I die.