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[Malteser]

In April this year I started experiencing peri menopause symptoms and was prescribed Oestrogel and Utrogestan. Initially I felt better and then I started experiencing alot of anxiety especially when I was taking the progesterone. Saw a menopause consultant who said its early days but I could be progesterone sensitive. I then starting getting UTI's (something I have never experienced) and in the last 6 months I have had 9 UTI's and it has been miserable. GP prescribed me vaginal oestrogen and said they need to up my HRT!
After speaking with the menopause consultant again today she thinks I should come off it as it might not be the right time for me as I am still getting regular periods and my other symptoms are mild.
My gut feeling is to come off and go down the alternative route. Any experiences or advice would be really appreciated   

[CLKD]

   she's not much of a 'specialist' if she can't suggest other ways of delivering HRT!

How old R U and what were your periods up to for the last couple of years?  peri-menopause: those years when we notice differences in our moods, cycle, general health.  Many have problems with the progesterone part of a regime which your Consultant should have explained.  What does she consider 'not the right time'?

There are HRT regimes for those with / without bleeds.  Which symptom would you like to ease first?

Alternatives: what would U like to try, remembering that most on the shop shelves haven't had the rigorous [can't think of word, sorry] as those passed by NICE for the NHS. 

A good diet; keeping hydrated; gentle exercise at least 3 times a week to help the long bones remain healthy.  Cycling, swimming, jogging ........ we have an exercise thread here somewhere  . 

As for UTIs. Did your 'specialist' discuss vaginal atrophy with you?  Have an of your urine samples been sent to a Lab for testing to C whether there is a bug which needs treatment?  Vaginal atrophy - we have lots of threads about that on here ........ mimics repeated urine infection-type symptoms really really well!  Usual at 'our age' symptoms are caused by loss of oestrogen when the body may become dry: inside and out; and muscles may become lax = aches and pains.

Browse, make notes ;-).  Ask away. We don't bite unless there's a Y in the day  .  Some1 will be along with experiences to share.

[Malteser]

Hiya, thanks for your reply.
So I am 45 and my periods have always been regular but heavy. The symptom's were hot flushes, sore joints and brain fog.
The consultant said very occasionally when woman are at the start of the perimenopause they are already still producing alot of hormones and possibly in a year or two that may be a better time for me? She did explain there are other kinds of HRT and happy to help me with those but if I want to rule out the chance that HRT is causing the UTI's it might be worth coming off it.
The GP has finally sent my last urine sample to the lab (last week). All they have confirmed so far is there was severe infection which I am on another dose of antibiotics for.

[DottyD68]

Hi Malteser,

Sorry to hear you are suffering.

My perimenopause symptoms started early/mid 40's but I didn't realise at the time. By late 40's they were in full flow but I tried to manage without HRT. Finally started HRT at 53 when still having periods and despite trying different regimes, products and doses I never felt good - infact I felt worse, I think because my own hormones were fluctuating so wildly. I had a break from it in January, after 3 years of persevering, and have been managing much better, even with some symptoms that come and go. I still don't understand how HRT can get the balance of hormones right when your own are fluctuating, so to me it makes sense that there will/maybe ongoing symptoms.

Maybe take a break and try again when you are further down the road. However I think there may also be the view that it's better to start HRT when you are perimenopausal.

I'm sorry I don't have an answer. What I have learnt is that it's not black and white.

I hope you find relief X

[CLKD]

At least your samples have been sent to a Lab., was it explained what 'severe infection' means, which it might B for example?  One should be prescribed at least 7 days of ABs as 3 isn't enough.  So if U are able to tolerate any side effects: I have not been able to complete a Course for many years  : and hopefully the correct AB has been prescribed.

Joint problems may be down to oestrogen loss.  Do OTC pain relief tablets help at all, i.e. taking them 20 mins B4 exercise, mowing the lawn, decorating etc.?

Tnx for that update DottyD68.  Certainly because every lady is different, it isn't black and white 

I doubt whether HRT will be causing the urine infections - it's more likely 2 B a bodily issue  i.e. on going dryness.  Toileting hygiene is important as we age  and keeping hydrated too. 

Some find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary of use to chart progress.  Let us know how you [both] get on?

[bombsh3ll]

If you are having recurrent UTIs now it makes it no sense to further deprive yourself of estrogen.

If you are under 50 and still having periods the combined pill taken continuously can make for a much better quality of life. This eradicates both bleeding and hormonal fluctuations which hormone therapy with estrogen and micronised progesterone cannot do.

If you want to do MHT there are multiple other progestins, nobody is stuck with micronised progesterone.

There is also vaginal estrogen which can help with the genitourinary symptoms.

Women with healthy estrogen levels do not generally need this, however if someone does find themselves in a hypoestrogenic state whether through choice or other circumstances, it is far better to use vaginal estrogen than not.