Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Mag22 on July 22, 2022, 10:11:01 AM
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Has anyone considered or had a hysterectomy so they can just take oestrogen safely?
I’ve tried all options for progesterone and I cannot do it.
However with nothing I ache all the time I’m low in mood and weepy and so tired there seems little point in carrying on.
My gp is sympathetic but clueless.
I’ve read all I can but being so brain foggy I just feel overwhelmed.
Do the nhs offer this option?
I’m done with this.
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Sorry to hear you are struggling.
Have you tried a mirena coil or similar (some release even lower doses of prog, than the mirena).
What symptoms do you experience on prog?
Maybe ask for a referral to a MS for advice, or a good gynae?
I did consider a hysterectomy last year, but was told no, largely because there is nothing wrong with my womb.
I was then pretty much pushed into the coil, which so far hasn't afffected my mood too badly.
If it doesn't work out, I will be in the same boat as you, as utrogestan doesn't sort my bleeding caused by HRT and I don't appear to be allowed to trial any others. Without oestrogen, I am weeing every half an hour and life becomes hell.
Best of luck. :)
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Some people have done this, but it is a pretty extreme solution. Your uterus provides a lot of 'structure' in your abdomen, so removing it can make you more predisposed to prolapse.
What are all the options you've tried for progesterone? Maybe someone can think of something else you haven't yet tried...
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Cyclogest?
Provera?
Norethistone?
Mirena?
Utrogestan (vaginally)
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There is a hysterectomy Facebook group which I think if you searched would find quite easily. It is quite heavily populated with women who have had hysterectomies for this very reason. I bet you will find lots of info on there. Re more likely to have prolapse, well you can make sure you limit the risks. Just being on oestrogen will make a huge difference plus pelvic floor exercises etc, not straining on the loo....
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A friend underwent hysterectomy and it changed her Life for the better. It is major surgery. You may require HRT support after, so discuss options B4 signing the Consent Form ;-).
A dedicated menopause clinic mayB better than a gynaecologist as they are almost as clueless as some GPs.
Don't despair. Rest as much as you are able. Keep eating, little and often which helps any anxiety surges. Which symptom would you currently like to improve ?
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I’ve tried oral progesterone and became seriously suicidal so am petrified at the idea of a coil I can’t get rid of quickly. I seem to be very sensitive to both oestrogen and progesterone the oestrogen makes my mood better but I get cramps in womb and bleeding and generally swell up with fluid retention. Even herbal alternatives seems to cause similar symptoms I did have severe PMDD and felt better when pregnant so seems I dont get on with my own body 🙄
I don’t know what to do next really I already have osteoporosis and at 58 I don’t have much longer to try hrt.
Will look at the Facebook group and see what people ‘s experiences are.
It might be I just manage the symptoms I have and ignore the cause! Bloody hormones.
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Have a look too at the UK based osteoporosis support group.
Make notes ;-)
I wonder which hormone made you feel well during pregnancy .......... that would be your answer?
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Mag, if you have osteoporosis you really ideally need to figure out a way to get some estrogen in there.
When you say you 'tried oral progesterone', which did you try? Body identical utrogestan? Did you try using that vaginally? You do know you can use the same capsule in your vagina instead and not have to take it orally?
There is also Provera, which is a synthetic oral progesterone you can take. There are two different patches, with different progesterones in them (Evorel Conti and FemSeven Conti).
And then there is the coil. I understand being freaked out by not being able to remove it, but surely if you saw a doctor and explained that you were considering a hysterectomy before trying the coil, because you were afraid of not being able to remove the coil ASAP, then surely they would agree to remove it as soon as you asked? The alternative is a huge surgery. If they won't remove it, try different doctors, go to A&E or see someone privately - you get what you ask for when you go private. Which is all to say - I don't think you should be so afraid of the coil not being able to be removed that you don't even try it, and have a surgery that carries risks...
PS - it might be worth seeing a specialist menopause GP privately, because these are the situations they can be really good at negotiating, more so than regular NHS GPs.
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Has anyone considered or had a hysterectomy so they can just take oestrogen safely?
I’ve tried all options for progesterone and I cannot do it.
However with nothing I ache all the time I’m low in mood and weepy and so tired there seems little point in carrying on.
My gp is sympathetic but clueless.
I’ve read all I can but being so brain foggy I just feel overwhelmed.
Do the nhs offer this option?
I’m done with this.
Hi Mag,
I’ve had serious issues with all progesterones and I’m on the last option. As I’ve previously had endometriosis, I was told hysterectomy would be the next option (on nhs) but I was also warned it’s major surgery and I’m not too keen tbh.
Can you see a private consultant? Some progesterones are only available privately or with the guidance of a specialist. My gp was limited with what she could give me.
Have you tried Crinone? It didn’t suit me but consultant told me it’s been popular amongst the intolerant. Bijuve combo tablet was also mentioned.
I’m currently 7 days into Cyclogest on a Conti regime and am tolerating it well so far but will see how I go over the next 4-6 weeks.
Hope you find another option to try. X
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Hi, there is a patch which I believe contains the same progesterone as the coil, however it ( as with all) can be quite tricky to get hold of, I believe it’s femseven. It may be a way for you to try it without a long term comittment.
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Although the patch would get more into the system and affect someone more than the much lower amount applied only locally in the coil, so it might not be a fair way to judge what would happen with the coil...
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To be fair I didn’t try utrogestan vaginally and I take your point about establishing a quick removal route for the mirena and also made sense to try that before moving to major surgery as I know that’s no fun have already had both ovaries removed
Will go back to doc look into a menopause specialist and be a bit braver about having another go. I’m so miserable anyway I’m thinking of antidepressants but that’s a sticking plaster really, not going to solve the underlying issue.
Many thanks for your replies really helpful.
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Evie606 would you post how you get on with the cyclogest? As you are so intolerant it would really be worth knowing if you find something tat works.
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Mag I know it really sucks but it's best to be really systematic about it - try one thing, give it enough time to settle, move onto the next... and so on.
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Hey Mag.... I'm in the same boat as you.
Can't tolerate progesterone, have tried patches, coil and currently on Ultrogeston vaginally - but still suffering.
My NHS meno consultant advised the Mirina coil which made me feel suicidal. I couldn't get an appointment to have it removed quickly so I pulled it out myself at home... I was that desperate! She then dismissed me from her 'books' as I didn't agree that her recommendation was the right course of action for me. Nothing else was offered.
I've since asked my GP about a hysterectomy and my NHS meno specialist has offered me ANOTHER Mirina coil instead. I just feel so unheard... my body cannot cope with the Mirina..... it's bonkers! I've tried the Mirina twice in total and have the same reaction every time. Personally, for me, the Mirina is horrendous.
I have also paid to see a private meno GP but this hasn't made any impact either. I'm still on Ultrogeston but am not going to take it next month due to my horrendous symptoms. If I find any answers I'll definitely pass them onto you xxxx
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Bloody hell ladies sounds horrible. Will look again at tibolone I’d forgotten about that.
Just seems like there has not been enough research into why some people are so intolerant of hormones
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Poppy, how did you pull the coil out yourself??
Did it hurt? Did you bleed?
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Hello Mag 22.
I have been using Cyclogest pessaries for a while now and I find them okay.
Having said that I don't think I am prog intolerant as I didn't feel much different when I was asked to try oestrogen only for eight weeks. Due to recent heavy bleeding I have now reduced my oestrogen and thankfully the bleeding has now resolved. I continue to have tender breasts but this symptom is also reducing however my emotional symptoms and mood swings have not improved very much. I don't think I had terrible PMDD but I also felt better when I was pregnant.
I agree that we need to research why some women suffer so much. One GP told me that about twenty percent of women get every symptom going and really struggle but of course no one knows why!
I hope you find a regime that works for you and please keep us updated.
Take care.
K.
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Keelyruth - how has your mental health been since removal of the Coil, hormone input aside? I know my mood swings were certainly cyclical.
Why don't GPs listen >:(
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Hey ladies....
Further update on my situation.
My mental health improved following my Marina coil removal. I still fell apart during the two weeks building up to my period, but I was nowhere near the suicidal state I was in before, which was constant with the Marina coil.
I then tried the testosterone, Ultrogeston and Oestrogel combo but still suffered with a multitude of symptoms and my mental/emotional health again deteriorated during the two weeks before my period, so I stopped taking the progesterone aspect of my HRT. I then felt AMAZING for two months, like my old self, but my severe symptoms started coming back with my periods. I spoke to my GP as I felt like I had PMDD.
Anyway, she has no clue what to do with me so she referred me to a specialist AGAIN. I've now seen two separate consultants through the NHS. I have been asked to try Tibolone/Lavia this time. Has anyone had any experience with this?
I'm currently not working as my anxiety is unmanageable!!! I can't even leave the house sometimes.
I feel like no one will ever be able to help me to function properly again. This situation is destroying my life and nobody can help. Is this it for people who suffer like us??
I'm 46 and started my peri journey at 37......... Still not seeing any light at the end of this tunnel.
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Hello Everyone.
I read this thread and nodded at so many of the horrid experiences with progesterone.
Yesterday during a phone appointment with my NHS Gynae i was added to the waiting list for a Hysterectomy.. uterus and ovaries. I have run out of options and it is the only way for me to get quality of life. Of course i am scared but I see no other option. I just cant take progesterone, tried and tried. This is my NHS gynae, he also does private clinics but I am under the NHS. Now i wait but until then I am allowed estrogel without taking any progesterone, i will be called for an internal scan to keep an eye on uterus health until the operation.
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MollyDolly
Thank you so much.. I am in a sea of questions at the moment but just letting it settle. Some of the questions are completely irrational at this stage. Then will read up and start a thread for some support too.
It is reassuring to hear you are doing so well.. i am genuinely happy for you. I have run out of options so feel somewhat forced by my body but the thought of no more periods, progesterone and getting in control again is exciting... if only everything runs smoothly