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[Epona52]

Good evening all,
I haven't posted for a while as not been feeling the best but I need to ask a question!
I had a hysterectomy years ago and was always told I didn't need progesterone as I have no womb, I'm on oestrogen gel and testosterone gel, but many symptoms have persisted over the years ie the dreadful anxiety and low mood, sleep issues and still the hot flushes and sweats, I was doing some research this evening and it appears you can be given progesterone even after a hysterectomy which could address these symptoms, could this be the missing link between feeling awful and feeling better,
Any advice would be appreciated 🙏

[Arya Underfoot]

Yes, you can have progesterone after hysterectomy. I've had a hysterectomy and refused to give up my progesterone because it helps with my anxiety and sleep. I take 200mcg continuously. The medical world is starting to come around to the idea, so you should be able to convince your doctor to prescribe it for you.

[sheila99]

These are all low oestrogen symptoms, I would increase gel before you do anything else. To answer the question, yes you can have progesterone you may find your GP won't prescribe it (and anyway it's the spawn of the devil 👿 imo!)

[Epona52]

Hi,
Thank you for your kind replies,
That was my worry too, I've heard it can give you low mood and I certainly don't need that, sometimes I just can't imagine that these symptoms are for the rest of your life!  I forgot to mention my progesterone level was 1.6  nmol/L back in March, I'm on the highest dose of estradiol gel and levels were 175pmol in March too, I'm also approaching 56, I had my hysterectomy at 32,

[chopsuey]

175 pmol/L sounds pretty low, so agree with Sheila that it may be low oestrogen causing your symptoms. Sounds like you may be someone who doesn't absorb well transdermally, if you are on the maximum dose. Which gel are you using? Also, it can make a difference how and where you apply it. Have you tried patches? 

[Epona52]

Hi, chopsuey,
I have also wondered if it's due to not absorbing well, I apply to inner thighs as I find if I put it on my arms my anxiety goes through the roof with the jitters like maybe it's going in to quickly as I don't have a lot of meat there, if that makes any sense, I was told by gp that my levels are within normal range, the gel I use is the besins pump bottle oestrdiol, never tried patches, also feel I'm sensitive to hormonal changes, sandrena didn't suit me either, 🙄

[chopsuey]

Blood tests for oestradiol levels for those using transdermal HRT are often unreliable and is a subject much discussed on this forum, along with discussion and debate about levels required for adequate bone protection. Some older studies have suggested levels as low as 60 pmol/L are sufficient, whereas some menopause specialists recommend levels in the 250-300 region. 175 pmol is pretty low for 4 pumps of Oestrogel though, and if you are still experiencing typical menopausal symptoms, it would suggest that you are not absorbing well.

Do you apply the gel once or twice a day? The gel forms a reservoir under the skin and can get saturated if too much is applied to one area, so applying twice a day may work better, if you've not tried that. Otherwise, it might be worth trying patches, or perhaps Lenzetto spray, which is applied to the forearms, although some women, myself included, find this to be quite weak. But we are all different how we respond to different products. Unfortunately, it sounds like the GP has shut the conversation down by saying your levels are normal, but it should be judged on your symptoms.   

[Epona52]

I apply the gel twice daily,
Three pumps in the morning and one in the evening, I do try to alternate between inner and outer thigh, I guess I was just wondering if the progesterone would calm the anxiety and regulate sleep, I'm seeing gp in a week so need to make a list otherwise I just walk in and forget everything I want to ask but that's another problem,
Thank you for your kind replies

[chopsuey]

It's a difficult one isn't it? Progesterone can be calming and aid sleep but so does oestrogen. And the fact that you are still getting hot flushes and sweating, would suggest you are low in oestrogen (although that's not to say you couldn't possibly get some benefit from progesterone as well.) Progesterone knocks me out, in a bad way, so I'm biased against it - I hate the stuff!

Let's hope your GP is knowledgeable and you can have a proper discussion about it.

[sheila99]

Utro works as a mild sedative so it does help many people sleep. It had the opposite effect on me but it might be worth trying. I still think oestrogen deficiency is the problem though but as you've hit the NHS ceiling you might have to go private for it.

[Epona52]

Thank you again for your kind replies,
Oestrdiol gel worked Really well in the early part, but the last three years at least have been a nightmare 😳 so I have thought it's just not working for me or that something else is missing, many women talk about having found their sweet spot and feeling better on hrt, I just haven't and it's been and still is a rollercoaster.