Menopause Matters Forum

General Discussion => New Members => Topic started by: Jak231 on May 05, 2022, 10:55:43 AM

Title: HRT effectiveness reducing !
Post by: Jak231 on May 05, 2022, 10:55:43 AM
Hi everyone.
New to the group and would really appreciate any advice from those who have also experienced the effectiveness of HRT reducing. I am on capsules and gel and have been since Aug 2020. For the first 9 months it was great, reducing the hot flushes by about 95%. But over time the hot flushes, combined with the anxiety that rushes in a minute beforehand, have been returning. Now i would say the HRT is only 40% effective at best. Having spoken to my GP she was astonished..in her words " I have NEVER heard of ANYONE still getting hot flushes when on HRT"...she said this several times in the conversation.....Yep, well I do !!! Changes to patches was a no no for me as it produced menstrual cramps, spotting, and breast pain...not having that, thank you very much !! Sooooo the question to you dear peeps is, has this happened to you too, and what was the outcome ??? Many thanks in advance  :)
Title: Re: HRT effectiveness reducing !
Post by: Flossieteacake on May 05, 2022, 11:00:16 AM
Hello Jak231 and welcome to the forum. I have heard of many people having menopause symptoms returning and they usually need an increase in HRT. It sounds like your GP is not very knowledgeable about HRT. I am sure others will advise you on how to ask for an increase in the HRT you are using.
Title: Re: HRT effectiveness reducing !
Post by: Jak231 on May 05, 2022, 12:57:09 PM
Thank you flossieteacake (fab name !). Apparently I am on the highest dose but I think a return call to the gp is required !
Title: Re: HRT effectiveness reducing !
Post by: Flossieteacake on May 05, 2022, 01:20:59 PM
Thank you flossieteacake (fab name !). Apparently I am on the highest dose but I think a return call to the gp is required !

Thank you. It was a character in a book I liked as a child. :) I understand. I am hope there is something that can be tweaked.
Title: Re: HRT effectiveness reducing !
Post by: Dotty on May 05, 2022, 01:50:35 PM
Hi what dose of get are you on ? x
Title: Re: HRT effectiveness reducing !
Post by: Jak231 on May 05, 2022, 07:08:41 PM
Hi...I am on 4 pumps of oestrogel which is apparently as much as you can take. :-\
Title: Re: HRT effectiveness reducing !
Post by: Rumbaba on May 05, 2022, 09:35:56 PM
Hi Jak231

I am on more than that, under my meno specialist.

Rumbaba

Title: Re: HRT effectiveness reducing !
Post by: Dotty on May 06, 2022, 06:16:10 AM
4 pumps is the maximum licensed dose but a specialist can prescribe more x
Title: Re: HRT effectiveness reducing !
Post by: Jak231 on May 06, 2022, 08:50:09 AM
Thanks that is really interesting and helpful. I am looking at the British Menopause Society and wondering if my gp with refer me to a specialist. I am also having my amalgams removed to aid my recovery from ME, as tests have shown elevated mercury levels....the mercury could well be blocking the hrt so fingers crossed I will get there one way or another !! Tbanks lovely peeps.
Title: Re: HRT effectiveness reducing !
Post by: sheila99 on May 06, 2022, 08:57:56 AM
Are you peri or meno? If peri/early meno it  isn't unusual need more as your own levels reduce. Would they test your levels? More useful in meno than peri but it might be that you don't absorb well.
Title: Re: HRT effectiveness reducing !
Post by: Jak231 on May 06, 2022, 09:50:03 AM
Thanks Sheila 99....I am 58 and had my last period about 4 years ago...so post meno I suppose.....I will put some pressure on my gp to take this further :))
Title: Re: HRT effectiveness reducing !
Post by: Stella2 on May 19, 2022, 03:11:36 PM
Hi Jak231, may l ask you about your experience with patches, what patch you were on? I am considering swapping Sandrena gel with Estradot patch but would not like to start bleeding again...
Title: Eek, you can tell I’m a newbie, don’t know what I’m doing!
Post by: Nicki6164 on June 13, 2022, 11:42:21 AM
 Hi all, I’m totally new - nearly 3 months into HRT, sandrena gel, & utrogestan at night  - dreadful breast pain, GP suggested progesterone vaginally might help, isn’t yet. I’d been fortunate - no symptoms other than awful dryness, no hot sweats, mood swings etc, so I’ve been using Estradiol with no problems at all. I realise there are health benefits for HRT (bone, heart etc) - but I originally requested it to try to get my sex drive back (it drove away quite a while ago, even though I married the absolute love of my life a couple of years ago, what an amazing star ⭐️ bloke!!). So GP’s prescribed testosterone  - no beard yet, voice is still the same pitch, fingers crossed! But, my breasts HURT. No, not, “sore”, or “tender “ - extremely painful. I’ve bought new cotton bras, much more comfortable - but my poor husband can’t get anywhere near me, if I wanted him to. Any suggestions, anyone - please?!!!
Title: Re: Eek, you can tell I’m a newbie, don’t know what I’m doing!
Post by: ATB on June 13, 2022, 11:57:40 AM
Hi all, I’m totally new - nearly 3 months into HRT, sandrena gel, & utrogestan at night  - dreadful breast pain, GP suggested progesterone vaginally might help, isn’t yet. I’d been fortunate - no symptoms other than awful dryness, no hot sweats, mood swings etc, so I’ve been using Estradiol with no problems at all. I realise there are health benefits for HRT (bone, heart etc) - but I originally requested it to try to get my sex drive back (it drove away quite a while ago, even though I married the absolute love of my life a couple of years ago, what an amazing star ⭐️ bloke!!). So GP’s prescribed testosterone  - no beard yet, voice is still the same pitch, fingers crossed! But, my breasts HURT. No, not, “sore”, or “tender “ - extremely painful. I’ve bought new cotton bras, much more comfortable - but my poor husband can’t get anywhere near me, if I wanted him to. Any suggestions, anyone - please?!!!

I would recommend starting your own thread to get more answers specific to you. Might be estrogen related issue.
Title: Re: HRT effectiveness reducing !
Post by: sheila99 on June 16, 2022, 10:50:58 AM
It's usually from too much oestrogen.