Menopause Matters Forum

Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Meeka on June 04, 2013, 09:56:23 AM

Title: Melasma
Post by: Meeka on June 04, 2013, 09:56:23 AM

Hi everyone,

I have been using oestrogel and Utrogestan 100 for about six months.  Two pumps of oestrogel and Utrogestan for seven days.  I started using 3 pumps of oestrogel initially but my breasts were getting swollen and achy so switched to two pumps and all ok.
I'm 50 so perimenopausal.
I have started to notice over the last couple of months that any moles I have have darkened and ive got a few new dark freckle type spots here and there, all over the place really.   Ive noticed them on my body and the ones on my face I don't like and i'm worried I may get more.  I think it may be Melasma, its associated with elevated levels of oestrogen.  Anyone else experienced them and do they go away if oestrogen is reduced.  I'm considering reducing to one pump of oestrogen .

Thanks x

Title: Re: Melasma
Post by: meno lesley on June 04, 2013, 10:14:37 AM

Hi

I'm on exactly the same hrt as you and have new brown freckle type brown spots on arms where the gel goes. Didn't know what they were but bit worried about them.

Lesley

Title: Re: Melasma
Post by: Rowan on June 04, 2013, 03:24:21 PM

Found this  http://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/showthread.php't=119507

scroll down to the bottom for more queries.

Title: Re: Melasma
Post by: meno lesley on June 04, 2013, 04:04:10 PM

Thank you, very interesting.

Lesley

Title: Re: Melasma
Post by: Meeka on June 05, 2013, 08:22:56 AM

Thanks for the replies, I may reduce my Oestrogel to  one pump , when I last had my oestrogen levels checked they were on at the top of the accepted range. I really don't want to have new brown spots appearing on my face.

I am perimenopausal so I am still making some of my own oestrogen but my consultant wanted to get my oestrogen levels high to help my low bone density.

Thanks again for the replies

Title: Re: Melasma
Post by: Taz2 on June 05, 2013, 08:34:13 AM

Hi Meeka - Melasma only appears on the face so the other spots on your body wont be Melasma. If it is Melasma then these patches will disappear after stopping the oestrogen. It shows more as discoloured patches rather than spots. It seems a shame that you may put your bones at risk by reducing the oestrogen level without a proper diagnosis?  I have a patch which appears on the side of my face when I am on HRT but this also appeared many years ago when I took the pill. It takes around three months to fade again.

Taz x

Title: Re: Melasma
Post by: Meeka on June 05, 2013, 11:44:39 AM

Thanks Taz

I think your right, i should get a proper diagnosis.  I already have skin which is prone to broken capillaries so i am a little dismayed that i now have these brown spots appearing.    I read that oestrogen increases the melanin in the skin so i think many of my little moles which have been very faded have increased in colour so i see them more on my body as well as face.

I haven't really felt any better since i started the HRT, i have no night sweats but i still have a lot of anxiety.  I also worry/anxious about the risks of taking HRT :-\ ::)