Menopause Matters Forum
General Discussion => New Members => Topic started by: Lucoley on September 22, 2025, 06:41:16 PM
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Hey all
Nice to meet all my people. I'm Louise, I am 50 and one year into the menopause, no period since around March 24. I did not start HRT until July of this year for no other reason than I didn't feel I needed it, although looking back clearly I did. I consider myself fairly lucky in the sense that so far I've not had TOO many physical symptoms, general itchiness, I'd say I'm warmer rather than get sweats but all in all not so bad.
The reason that drove me to start HRT was the mental health side of menopause. I already am on Citalopram 20mg to manage longstanding anxiety and it was doing a fabulous job for the last 10 years consistently and my life has really opened up for this reason. So it was no surprise really to me that of course I'd suffer with anxiety during the menopause. It was horrendous morning anxiety that built up over time until I was so low, not sleeping, getting going to bed dread because I knew I'd wake up the next morning feeling anxious. Meanwhile normal life goes on doesn't it? Job, adult kids, grandson to look after so I bit the bullet and after talking to an amazing ACP at my practice started on 1 pump of oestrogel and 100mg Progesterone daily..
I will say, amazing, within a week I already felt so much better and by 3 weeks in I honestly felt mentally the best I had in a very long time, it was at this point it dawned on me that I should have done this ages ago. Anyway fastforward to 4 weeks and do NOT ask me why but I decided to put myself up to 2 pumps. WHY??? Anyway all was good for around 3 to 4 weeks around 1st September ish and the morning anxiety began to creep back in, subtle at first but has built up over time. I'm now at the point where I feel generally dreadful, morning anxiety that does fade but I'm left with what I can only describe as tenseness in my body, not sleeping great, have a constant dull headache and the last few days very emotional. I think I am taking too much oestrogen, at first I was of the mind well I'm post menopausal so surely I need more not less. But after doing some research I now am thinking it's the oppsosite or I'm very sensitive to oestrogen. I have always seriously struggled with PMT and pregnancy related hormones so I do have good history of being hormone sensitive.
I do have an appt with my ACP on Thursday but in the meantime I'm dropping from 2 pumps to 1 as I just can't handle it any more. Has anyone else found this?
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It can take a while to settle on the right treatment - sometimes there is a honeymoon period when estrogen-starved tissues first see estrogen and then symptoms can creep back in and doses need adjusting.
It would be very hard to be overtreated on two pumps of gel, however some people do report increased anxiety having increased their dose, especially when this has not been encouraged by their provider - I personally think this is more likely to be a nocebo effect due to having internalised negative messaging about hormone therapy, and a subconscious belief on some level that by taking treatment you are cheating or undeserving in some way.
I would encourage you to persevere with treatment and work with your provider to ascertain the best dose for you.
Additionally testosterone is well worth considering for mental health related symptoms but can be difficult to access on the NHS.
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Oestrogen is natural, as it drops off during peri-menopause weird and strange symptoms may occur. The Change, does what it says on the tin.
MayB drop back to 1 pump for 3 nights 2 C if there is a reaction in the anxiety? Another way is to use 1 pump with an extra dose a few alternate times? It can be Trial and Error because the ovaries continue to produce oestrogen in small amounts, even after removal if the stem is left behind.
How is your diet overall? The National Association for Pre-menstrual Syndrome advised me in the late 1980s to eat every 3 hours, 24/7. At the time I had a puppy who soon realised that there were biscuits by the bed after she had been out in the early hours ;D. The idea is not to increase what we eat/drink but to spread it out during the day. Also slow release food stuffs: porridge, oat cakes, bananas, dried fruits/nuts: can help when we need a boost. 4 me it's around 4.00 p.m. .
Over the last 4/5 years I've had to alter my diet - shop bought cakes, scones, buns were causing bloating, probably due to the hidden sugars and fats. It took a few months to stabilise each time I cut something 'out' but I do feel better. Something to bear in mind?
:welcomemm: browse round. Make notes ;-). Let us know how you get on.