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[miagran]

Really? Never thought of that Dancinggirl, just thought I could plead my case and get back on HRT. Thanks for letting me know though. I turned 60 this year so I think you may be right it's doubtful that I'll be prescribed it again, might ask anyway, nothing ventured nothing gained  cheers DG! X

[weegran]

Definitely GOOD, it took me a few years to take the plunge but now I never want to come off it, no hot flushes, restful sleep, more concentration, better memory and able to exercise more..........what not to like?

[DebraD]

I have been on Hrt patches for almost four months Evorel Conti. I went on these after three years of hot flushes erratic moods, foggy head etc etc even after my doctor originally said no point going on these as as soon as u come off them you still have to go through everything. Three years later had a meltdown saw a lady doctor and decided this was the route to go. Still very reluctantly I started using them....... Hot flushes disappeared almost instantly, sleeping patterns improved dramatically, moods are on the up, staring to feel normal. The only downside, periods started, have had maybe four, three light one heavy, terrible cramps had never really suffered with periods before, not sure I want them back tho..... Breasts very tender almost all of the time...... In fact my skin generally feels quite tender, not sure whether there is any relevance to patches or whether I am worrying unnecessarily, wondered whether anyone else has the same symptoms. Other than that I am feeling good. Did debate coming off patches just to see if they were what was affecting tenderness. Spoke to Gp before I noticed this and she said give it a year at least to see how things settle down. Any advice ladies 😊

[limpy]

Hi DebraD

Welcome to MM   

Breakthrough bleeding can take about six months to settle down with Evorel Conti, hopefully it and the cramps and breast tenderness will settle down soon. I've been on them for about four years and found the breakthrough bleeds stopped after about four months, haven't had breast tenderness.

[Peterspots]

That's interesting. On my first month & I have a period. So hopefully things will settle. I am not post menopausal so it is supposed to override my cycle

[Dancinggirl]

Breakthrough bleeding (like a period) is quite normal with any conti HRT regime - This is supposed to settle in around 3-6 months - I got awful cramps as well.  Hopefully all will settle in due cause.  Tender breast is a very normal side effect that should also settle - my gynae describes this as "the body waking up and welcoming the hormones". Dg x

[pamb]

Hi all

Am new to this site and not sure how to start a new post so I hope you don't mind if I tag a question onto this one.

I'm 53 this year and still having periods, heavy ones at that.  I'm having the usual menopausal symptoms, hot flushes, night sweats, spots, vaginal dryness, psoriasis which started in my forties during perimenopause, tiredness, headaches.   I've so far been managing these symptoms by eating healthily and exercising but some months I'm finding the symptoms a real nuisance which may or may not get worse when my periods stop.

My question is, if I do decide to try HRT and my GP agrees, will I have to have a smear test.  I ask this because I haven't had one for at least 10 years as my previous test was so painful, and now that I have vaginal dryness I don't think I could handle it.

Many thanks

[Dancinggirl]

Hi and welcome to MM pamb
I would start your own thread - click on FORUM at the top of this page and then go into NEW MEMBERS and you should then find a tab which says NEW TOPIC.

You are still young and HRT would be a good option if you don't have health issues or life style choices e.g. smoking, that prevent you using it. 
It is advisable to have a smear test but you may not necessarily need one before using HRT.  If they were unable to do a smear test due to vaginal discomfort then they really should have prescribed some local oestrogen like Vagifem which one can use regularly to improve the vaginal area and would help with the dryness, irritation and possible bladder problems. I would get to your GP and ask for this anyway if you having discomfort around the 'lady bits' - vaginal atrophy can case many long term problems and Vagifem can work wonders. 
Full systemic HRT would help with flushes, night sweats etc. and could restore quality of life.  It's often trial and error till you find the HRT type that suits you but it's worth giving it a try.
Do browse around this site to get clued up and keep asking questions.  DG x

[pamb]

Hi Dancinggirl

Many thanks for replying to my post.  You've given me some sound advice which gives me a good starting point.

As I can see from this forum, menopause seems to be a minefield of contradictory information, especially from the medical profession, that it's great to find somewhere where you can get advice from women who are actually going through this time in their lives.

Thanks again Dancingirl.

[Moomaid]

Been on HRT patches and cream for a month now and would definitely say it is 'good'.

Vaginal dryness used to mean I got quite stressed about the prospect of sex, in anticipation of the inevitable discomfort, but no more!

I also used to be in a constant foul mood and most days I woke up with a 'thick head' as if I'd hit the bottle the night before, without having had anything stronger than decaf coffee!

Again, both these symptoms have disappeared and I feel so much better for it.

The nightly panic attacks haven't completely stopped yet but they've definitely reduced and I'm hopeful that with a little more time I will see the end of them.

My GP told me that it could take up to 3 months for the patches to take full effect so having seen positive benefits after just a month I'm definitely a fan!!

Says she as she sits here having a hot flush!!! 😐

Give it a go... What've you got to lose?

H

[freya]

Hello,

Sorry if I'm in the wrong part of the forum, but I couldn't work out how to post a new subject. I'm new to the forum, and I have a question about hair loss. I'm post-menopausal (haven't had a period for 3 1/2 years). I've been having a lot of problems with hot flushes, and so I looked into trying natural hormones. I didn't want to use conventional HRT as my mum has had breast cancer (and a mastectomy). I started using ProGest in 2013, only a very tiny dose of the cream. My hair, which was very thick, immediately started coming out, but as I also had it coloured for the first time the week after this, I thought it was the colour. I carried on using ProGest for some months and my hair kept coming out. Finally I stopped using it because it caused me nausea and gave me spots. But my hair didn't stop coming out. I stopped having it coloured, but that didn't make any difference. It was really upsetting - I hated washing my hair (still do) as when I finger-combed it so much came out. Last year I tried natural hormones again via a clinic in London - I was given a prescription made up for me, of oestrogen (Biest) and progesterone. I was told that this would help with my hair loss, as well as other symptoms. I tried it very gradually, as advised, but my hair seemed to come out more. it also gave me spots. After 4 weeks I stopped, but my hair loss continues - it's now so thin and keeps coming out. I don't know what to do, and no-one seems to understand. I saw my GP about and she suggested HRT, but I know you can only take that for so long. I asked her what would happen when I stopped, and she said the symptoms would come back. I have no idea where to turn, and wondered if anyone has any ideas? I don't want to use hormones, but is there anything else that can help to stop it? Also, if you've experienced hair loss during menopause, did your hair grow back again?

I'm sorry about the length of the post, and I'm just glad I've found this website.

Freya.

[Dancinggirl]

Hi and welcome to MM freya
It would probably be a good idea if you started your own thread under New Members - simply click on FORUM at the top of the page and then click on NEW MEMBERS and there is a tab which says NEW TOPIC.

Hair loss is a difficult one and I have to say I am baffled as to why you had such dramatic hair loss when using the progesterone cream!!  This cream is such a low dose it is unlikely to do very much so I doubt it is to blame!!!  I'm afraid many of us get more spots and hair loss when we go into post menopause - it's the lack of oestrogen. The hormone that will make a difference for you is oestrogen and this will only be available on prescription and has to be balanced with some progesterone to protect the womb lining. Do read up all the info on this site to get clued up about what happens during the meno and treatments like HRT etc.
Many of the HRTs available now are actually bio identical, so are therefore natural. There is also a bio identical progesterone called Utrogestan but everything has be prescribed and monitored by a doctor.
You don't say how old you are? If you are early 50s then a few years of HRT could be good.  The fact that your mother had breast cancer could be an issue but it would depend on the type of cancer she had.  The risks of BC don't actually kick in till we are over 60 if still using HRT.
One common reason for hair loss is a problem with thyroid function and it is common for the thyroid to start playing up at the time of the menopause.  I would ask to have your thyroid function tested - I'm actually surprised your GP didn't do this!!!? Some blood tests to look at your hormone levels might also be a good idea.  Keep us posted.  DG x

[freya]

Hi Dancing Girl,

Thanks very much for this, I really appreciate it, and thanks too for explaining how to start a new thread. (I replied to another of your posts separately, before I saw this one.)  Yes, I don't know why this happened - the doctor said that it's never happened before with anyone on the natural Biest/progesterone creams. I've had a thyroid function test, thanks for suggesting it, and it was normal. I also have ME and Fibromyalgia, which have both been made worse by the menopause. I did have some blood test to check hormone levels, but my then-GP only did testosterone and FSH, and my current GP said GPs don't test oestrogen levels. I do have very high ferritin levels, but this was treated as normal. I do feel as if I'm trying to find my way in the dark with this - I've found GPs, while not exactly unsympathetic, a little dismissive about it. Btw, I'm 52. I'll certainly think about what you say about HRT.

I've put this in a new thread, too, with my first posting, so apologies if it's read twice.

best,

Freya

[Valsmart]

Hi I'm a newby to this I don't know if I am menopausal as I have been on nacrez pill for 16 years and never had a period in the last 3 months I have struggled to sleep dr put me on sleeping pills don't know wether to come off nacrez and see if my tsh levels are high I think I have va as well tried vagifem but it gave me thrush I am constantly in a low mood stressed to the eyeballs it's taken over my life help

[Dancinggirl]

Hi valsmart and welcome to MM
do read up all the info on this site. You don't say how old you are but armed with info from this site I'd definitely discuss your options with the GP. Vagifem shouldn't give you thrush - used over a few weeks it should actually help restore the natural flora balance which could prevent thrush and other infections taking hold.  It can be good to use a vaginal lubricant like Multi Gyn Actigel which is designed to keep things healthy in the vaginal area - this together with Vagifem should really help.
I'm not sure what the nacrez pill is?  A type of BCP? It does sound as though your hormones are starting to play up.  Dg x