Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Helenmelon1974 on February 17, 2025, 03:48:23 PM
-
After reacting extremely badly mentally to the progesterone in the Mirena and Evorel patches I was given Evorel 50 and Utrogestan. I had planned to use vaginally BUT I have started the Evorel several times then panicked stopped when I should have started the Utrogestan! I stopped again last week when it was time for Utro and because I’ve noticed the Evorel causes awful bloating. Tbh I don’t have particularly bad menopause symptoms but I worry about heart and bone health without it. I’m 50 so I know I’ve got time before I need to start HRT for that so I’ve decided that atm it’s not for me. And I won’t be trying again for year or so.
Now I’m worried about what using the Everol only will have done! Am I going to have to grin and bear it and use the Utrogestan for 12 days to make sure I’ve had a bleed or will my body sort its self out?
I’m so bloated so I’m wondering if the Utro would sort that out? I’ve read it has a diuretic effect but also read that it causes bloating 🤷♀️
I know I’ve been silly to do what I’ve done but the reaction to progesterone previously really was horrendous and I’ve suffered from health anxiety on and off for 25 years 🙁
Any advice would be greatly appreciated x
-
WHOOA. - your body won't have suffered as such and if U don't have particularly bad symptoms, then give yourself a break.
Heart and bone strength can be dealt with a good healthy diet; good exercise regime; 'me time'; meeting with friends. Do U have any hobbies? Housework and gardening are counted as bone strengthening exercise.
I haven't needed HRT. As a child I exercised regularly with walking and cycling. Swimming. Good diet. Since then I've had lots of walking with a dog, now I enjoy gardening. We also have a good dentist to keep mouth/gums healthy because as we age ......... ::)
-
WHOOA. - your body won't have suffered as such and if U don't have particularly bad symptoms, then give yourself a break.
Heart and bone strength can be dealt with a good healthy diet; good exercise regime; 'me time'; meeting with friends. Do U have any hobbies? Housework and gardening are counted as bone strengthening exercise.
I haven't needed HRT. As a child I exercised regularly with walking and cycling. Swimming. Good diet. Since then I've had lots of walking with a dog, now I enjoy gardening. We also have a good dentist to keep mouth/gums healthy because as we age ......... ::)
Thank you. I’m just concerned I’ll have a thickened womb lining now. Not sure where I am in menopause as I had a coil removed in March last year after 5 years which stopped my periods. I had a new one put in and reacted really badly to it for some strange reason. I had a bleed at the change and another when it was removed 2 weeks later but nothing since. I'm pretty sure peri started about 8-9 years ago but I kept being told I was too young 🙄 so maybe already gone through the menopause anyway 🤣
-
If U R concerned have a chat with your Nurse Practitioner or GP about getting a scan so that U know where you might be. That will give you a starting point for future treatment.
No one is too young >:(. Menopause being the last bleed, ever, after periods have waxed and waned; disappeared, returned ...... how do U feel overall?
Do U have hobbies?
-
I can't help. But I would definitely reconsider taking something that causes you distress for the 'possibility' it 'might' help your later bone and heart health.
It's chucked around so much on this forum that HRT should be taken for long term health. I think that's so unfair. Still more woman do not take HRT than take it. Plenty of our predecessors lived to a grand age with no heart or bone issues. As CLKD says - there are other ways. There's far too much made of it on this forum - and look at your results.
I'd love to take HRT for my horrific peri symptoms. But, due to other illness, I cannot tolerate. If I had few peri symptoms I'd be over the moon living in the moment.
Give it a rest. Let your body find it's natural place. Think about it latter if you need it. X
-
I'm 71 so had compulsory PT/cross country in School. We had music, movement and mime in primary school - I was a tree so not much movement there then ;D
Also we walked/cycled everywhere so exercise wasn't a choice as Dad had the car to go to work.
Now that PE isn't on the curriculum [as well as music >:(] and because many girls in particular don't eat dairy whilst growing up, this is the age group that may well suffer with osteoporosis !!! Sorry a bit of a meander but I believe that girls should be scanned B4 they leave school at 16 to find out their bone health.
There are these days lots of walking groups as well as ParkRun - latter not my bag, I couldn't run for a 🚌 these days ;D. So pick an exercise that you enjoy - 10 mins walking daily can keep the long bones healthy. I started by mentioning dentistry, as we age the gums may weaken allowing teeth to loosen so chewing well keeps jaw bone healthy. Bone needs impact.
-
.....But I would definitely reconsider taking something that causes you distress for the 'possibility' it 'might' help your later bone and heart health.
It's chucked around so much on this forum that HRT should be taken for long term health. I think that's so unfair. Still more woman do not take HRT than take it. Plenty of our predecessors lived to a grand age with no heart or bone issues. As CLKD says - there are other ways. There's far too much made of it on this forum.......
⬆️ I so agree with this.
There is no absolute guarantee that you will not suffer with heart disease, osteoporosis, dementia etc if you use HRT. There is also no guarantee that you will definitely end up with all those things if you don't use HRT.
You'll find posts on this forum that say things like 'I'm definitely going to use HRT as it will protect me from X Y and Z in the future' along with things like studies show this or studies show that. Please don't be persuaded by these types of post. A lot of them, from my perspective, are pure scaremongering.
There is no "need" to start HRT at all. If you have no symptoms that are troublesome, don't worry about something that may or may not happen at some random point in the future.
There's only you living in your body and you know what's best for it. Listen to what it's telling you xx
-
My periods waxed and waned. Then went.
I had a few flushing over my shoulders after my bath, like chilly water running down to my waist ::). Fortunately that didn't last for more than a few months. My body itches occasionally due to loss of oestrogen, initially it was my insteps: I would notice when I removed my socks every evening. I would wake with 1 rough heel scratching the other foot :-\. Other than VA because I haven't had other symptoms I haven't thought about HRT.
The Change - does what it does on the tin. So if any symptoms immediately after stopping periods, could be 'allowed' to settle to C whether a form of replacement might be necessary.
-
Thank you everyone for your replies. It’s really helped to put my mind at ease.
I’m eating healthy (lost 2.5 stone doing so) and I’m walking for 30-40 mins 5 times a week and im on the go most of the time due to ADHD 🤣
-
Unopposed estrogen in someone with a uterus starts to become a concern after a year, not a fortnight.
Regarding long term health benefits however, there is good evidence that starting hormone therapy early ie in perimenopause ideally is more protective, particularly when it comes to cardiovascular and metabolic benefits.
Starting several years remote from menopause is absolutely not dangerous, however the window of opportunity for some of the main benefits has passed, and you may find resistance to getting it prescribed as a new starter at a later point.
Bones are responsive at any age though, and it is never too late to have a positive impact there.
If you do decide to revisit hormones, perhaps tibolone would be worth considering given the progestogen intolerance.
-
Totally agree with CrispyChick and SundayGirl.
I am 75 and have not been on systemic HRT for many, many years and I am perfectly healthy but only because I have had a healthy lifestyle. From my experience the worst you can do for your bones and organs is to smoke and drink too much alcohol, I've seen up close the devastating effects these have on an aging body. HRT is not one of life's essentials, its how you live your life that counts.
-
.....But I would definitely reconsider taking something that causes you distress for the 'possibility' it 'might' help your later bone and heart health.
It's chucked around so much on this forum that HRT should be taken for long term health. I think that's so unfair. Still more woman do not take HRT than take it. Plenty of our predecessors lived to a grand age with no heart or bone issues. As CLKD says - there are other ways. There's far too much made of it on this forum.......
⬆️ I so agree with this.
There is no absolute guarantee that you will not suffer with heart disease, osteoporosis, dementia etc if you use HRT. There is also no guarantee that you will definitely end up with all those things if you don't use HRT.
You'll find posts on this forum that say things like 'I'm definitely going to use HRT as it will protect me from X Y and Z in the future' along with things like studies show this or studies show that. Please don't be persuaded by these types of post. A lot of them, from my perspective, are pure scaremongering.
There is no "need" to start HRT at all. If you have no symptoms that are troublesome, don't worry about something that may or may not happen at some random point in the future.
There's only you living in your body and you know what's best for it. Listen to what it's telling you xx
Well said, a voice of reason amongst the scaremongering.
-
Totally agree with CrispyChick and SundayGirl.
I am 75 and have not been on systemic HRT for many, many years and I am perfectly healthy but only because I have had a healthy lifestyle. From my experience the worst you can do for your bones and organs is to smoke and drink too much alcohol, I've seen up close the devastating effects these have on an aging body. HRT is not one of life's essentials, its how you live your life that counts.
Absolutely 💯
(I hope they're aren't any overweight inactive heavy-drinking smokers on this forum who think HRT will compensate for their lifestyle habits by enhancing heart and bone health).
-
I can't help. But I would definitely reconsider taking something that causes you distress for the 'possibility' it 'might' help your later bone and heart health.
It's chucked around so much on this forum that HRT should be taken for long term health. I think that's so unfair. Still more woman do not take HRT than take it. Plenty of our predecessors lived to a grand age with no heart or bone issues. As CLKD says - there are other ways. There's far too much made of it on this forum - and look at your results.
I'd love to take HRT for my horrific peri symptoms. But, due to other illness, I cannot tolerate. If I had few peri symptoms I'd be over the moon living in the moment.
Give it a rest. Let your body find it's natural place. Think about it latter if you need it. X
Absolutely agree and very well said , both my grandmothers now in their 90s never used HRT and have no issues with bones , heart or brain they are fit and well without ever using hormones.
A nice balanced reply, I do use hrt but I feel like there was a time women were scared off using it and now it’s almost as though they are scared into using it .
-
I was quite shocked to read posts on this forum recently recommending taking HRT for the avoidance of possible future health conditions irrespective of having any menopause symptoms.
For me personally HRT would only be used to manage menopause symptoms, and any other protection it "may" afford me would be a potential benefit and not the reason to use it.
-
Agree Dotty.
There have been a few posts like this, suggesting that if you don’t use HRT, you are at risk of heart and bone issues.
Well, I’m 53, cant take HRT because I have secondary breast cancer AND pelvic cancer. Just had a heart and bone scan and my heart is in top shape, as are my bones and joints. I take letrozole which is a hormone inhibitor and I am even in good enough shape to start iv chemo next week. All without HRT.
-
Hi Nas,
I have followed your posts and I think you are amazing and a shining star.
Great news on your scans and I hope the chemo goes as well as it can do.
Keep shining X
-
Well, I've started something with my reply here ladies. ;D
But I think the original poster is proof in point. Woman currently don't know which way to turn. There's now a massive push for HRT. Which is great, if your body needs it, and you otherwise might have suffered.
But suggesting every woman needs to take it for future health, instead of meno symptoms is ridiculous!!!! And scaremongering!
I feel there should be some sort of expert opinion on this - on this forum. These views are clearly affecting people's thought processes. >:(
P.s so pleased for you Nas. Xx
-
Quote from Dr Currie:
"HRT continues to provide many benefits for many women, but it is not perfect, and is not desired nor required by everyone. When used, individualisation is key but keep it simple and keep it safe!"
https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,64312.msg889860.html#msg889860
-
Well, I've started something with my reply here ladies. ;D
But I think the original poster is proof in point. Woman currently don't know which way to turn. There's now a massive push for HRT. Which is great, if your body needs it, and you otherwise might have suffered.
But suggesting every woman needs to take it for future health, instead of meno symptoms is ridiculous!!!! And scaremongering!
I feel there should be some sort of expert opinion on this - on this forum. These views are clearly affecting people's thought processes. >:(
P.s so pleased for you Nas. Xx
Agree Crispy.
And I don’t say that, just because I can’t take HRT (because I’m sure I would have a bit more “ bizazz” about me, if I did have some oestrogen!)But because I was genuinely worried that the lack of oestrogen, would have have a detrimental effect on my heart and bone heath. Quite the opposite in fact. And given that I take a hormone inhibitor too, highlights it even more because I am running on an empty tank now and always will. This is just my experience though.
-
Yep, I've never taken HRT and was on Letrozole for 5 years and bone scans have shown density is better than average for my age and gender.
-
Yep, I've never taken HRT and was on Letrozole for 5 years and bone scans have shown density is better than average for my age and gender.
That’s really reassuring isn’t it?
-
Well, I've started something with my reply here ladies. ;D
But I think the original poster is proof in point. Woman currently don't know which way to turn. There's now a massive push for HRT. Which is great, if your body needs it, and you otherwise might have suffered.
But suggesting every woman needs to take it for future health, instead of meno symptoms is ridiculous!!!! And scaremongering!
I must say that I am somewhat relieved to find that I am not the only person who feels concerned about some posts on here - both the ones advocating HRT for future health and the ones appearing to give medical advice.
-
Most advice is given from personal experiences. Sharing information enables us to search further to find what might suit various symptoms. Then it's a bit Trail and Error. ::)