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[Raccke]

Hello,
I am 53 1/2 and have been post menopause since 4 years. I started HRT back in April of 2024 to alleviate symptoms (insomnia, hot flushes, itchy skin, exacerbated rosacea). Back in June, I was in Portugal and broke out in terrible hives. Ever since then, I have struggled with hot flushes, aggressive rosacea, accompanied by burning tingling face and itchy, crawling skin all over my body. I spoke with my nurse practitioner that manages my HRT and she suggested that I try first increasing estrogel to 2 pumps (that didn't help) with 100 mg progesterone then returning to 1 pump of estrogel and increasing to 200 mg of progesterone (which did not help). I have seen an OBGYN due to breakout bleeding after increasing estrogel the first time around. Biopsy came back clean, as well as my pap test. My GP is brushing this off as: oh well, it's just part of menopause - and the OBGYN is saying: well, I'm not your treating doctor so see your GP - and finally, the nurse practitioner is saying: well, there is so much I can do - speak to your GP. I feel like I have chronic rosacea now and constant hot flushes. Is it possible I may need to increase estrogel to 2 pumps but for longer than a couple weeks? I sometimes feel like simply stopping HRT and see if I feel better. I've even read recently on how progesterone can cause a histamine reaction. I will speak to my GP Oct 1st and ask for a referral to the complex menopause clinic in Vancouver (but that may take a while). I'm just looking for similar stories or perhaps guidance. Thank you so much! I appreciate this group very much.

[CLKD]

   have your practitioners done recent blood tests?  There is a lady here that has rosacea ...... I'll give her a 'buzz'.

If U do stop HRT U will know how U feel and how many symptoms are resolved.  Although it 'is part of menopause' there should be more sympathy!

Browse round.  Make notes ;-)

[Raccke]

No blood tests so far but will request from my GP Oct 1st. Oh, that would be great! Thank you 

[bombsh3ll]

2 pumps is still a low dose and not one that I would personally accept, especially given you are still having vasomotor symptoms on this.

It may also be worth considering testosterone - this can also help with dry, burning skin symptoms and increase the production of natural oils.

I would definitely see a menopause specialist, as women are often underserved in menopause care by general practitioners, particularly if we present anything other than the routine bog standard textbook case.

However you are allowed to have more than one condition and I would suggest seeing a dermatologist for targeted rosacea treatment.

[sheila99]

Flushes usually go within a couple of weeks but you'd normally trial it for 3 months to get the full effects. And it's quite possible that 2 pumps isn't going to be enough. This really shouldn't need specialist care unless your GP is clueless.