Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Nicki6164 on June 13, 2022, 12:35:21 PM
-
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?!!!
-
If your only symptons were dryness wouldn't local estrogen be better instead of systemic hrt?
-
Well, yes, that’s what the Estradiol is for (an vaginal ring that gives out minute doses of oestrogen for 3 months), but I’ve osteoarthritis in all my major joints (1st hip replaced at 52, 2nd at 54, now 58, and wonderful husband reckons he’ll be married to the bionic woman- “we can rebuild her”!) so GP thinks HRT is important for bone health etc. I’ll admit, I’m getting really upset about the pain now - 3 months, which includes a reduction in oestrogen (from 2 sachets of Sandrena to 1) & Utrogestan orally to vaginally, no reduction in the pain at all. Yesterday, out in public, looking after an elderly lady, horribly conscious of my hot swollen painful boobs that kept making the popper on my jumpsuit open. There’s got to be some solution to all this - I’ve started taking Starflower oil & Evening Primrose oil capsules - quite high doses, have done a bit of research, will try anything. It brings back memories of all the nightmares I had, years ago, with the contraceptive pill, strangely - could never get on with it, for exactly the same reason, painful breasts, mastitis - it’s probably no wonder that I have left it a good few years (at least 7), trying so many other bio alternatives, before finally giving up & going the HRT route - & then it was really only to try to refind my sex drive! Thanks for letting me burble - guess you don’t have to read it(!), really helps to get it out.
-
U may be on a too higher amount of HRT, all at once. What were your period like ? The body doesn't get where it is quickly, unless there has been surgery.
R U in the UK as GPs don't usually prescribe testosterone until the lady has seen a Menopause Specialist.
-
Hi CLKD, yes, I’m in the UK, I’m not really having any problems with the testosterone at all, in fact there might be a few flickers of my sex drive reappearing (after 5+years!), but we have to whisper in case it gets scared away! My GP is really good in many respects - I’d done a lot of research, knew there was a lot of empirical evidence for testosterone, mentioned that to her after 6 weeks of HRT was doing nothing, and she said that although it’s not “official “, hasn’t been approved by NICE, a lot of GPs are prescribing it, so I’m fortunate there. I’d like to see a Menopause Specialist, maybe - something I’d read on here mentioned levels (of testosterone), & I don’t think I’ve had any of my levels of anything checked. It just makes me think that all of this is so hit and miss - from previous experience, I’ve obviously shown a sensitivity to the addition of hormones to my system, & this experience is becoming so miserable (my lovely husband phones me through the day, tells me silly things, makes me laugh, oh, I’m blessed), it does make me wonder if it’s worth it.
-
If the HRT is worth it :-\
:vibe: don't dismiss toys either ;)