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[reesa]

Hi all
New to this site and wanted to join as I've just started on HRT Fem7conti patches, into my 4th week.  There is so little information to be found for those of us way past the menopause, deciding to take HRT and there surely needs to be more investigation.
So... I thought I'd ask here.
Reason for starting? Vaginal atrophy and specifically vaginal adhesions meaning I can't have actual intercourse. (Tried Vagifem but it didn't dissolve the adhesions). It seemed to be worth a try but I'm wondering ....
My skin is becoming very flaky (and slightly itchy), even with dry skin brushing, using an emollient for washing and lashings of moisturiser. and even more dry than before (and it has been very dry for years) I believed both my skin and hair would be improved and yes I know it's early days but both are soooo dry and I'm concerned.
Other sides are bloating, increased wind, irritable, grumpy, anxious, feeling tired but sleeping less, feeling slightly like I've lost my bearings, eating much more so of course putting on weight but I don't think that's the reason for irritable gut.
On the plus side, my vagina is lubricated ... but that's the only benefit I'm noticing.
Does anyone have similar side effects or suggestions?
I'm wondering about oestrogen gel and a progesterone pill that isn't testosterone based (I believe the prog. in Fem7 is testos. based) I still have a womb which I believe means I need the prog

[Ju Ju]

I started HRT when I was 60. My reasons were to see whether it would help alleviate extreme exhaustion. CFS was being suggested. HRT has helped. Many of the symptoms you describe are those I have suffered from, but never had expectation that HRT would alleviate them. It's not going to stop aging, but will help with some symptoms of loss of hormones. I do have IBS and HRT does not seem to make any impact and I am going to a practitioner with experience with many of the health issues I have. I took a vitamin E supplement that helped with the dry skin and I am using a body oil while damp after a shower that helps. I try to avoid using products with fragrances and use those recommended for eczema. I see a gynaecologist privately, as NHS help wasn't available at 60 at the time. She was recommended by my GP and adjusts my HRT prescription according to symptoms. I've had to have a hysterectomy since due to prolapse, which means I don't have to struggle with progesterone as like many ladies, I am sensitive to it. I chose to trial HRT because I wanted quality of life, which I am getting, even though I still have health issues. They say there is more of a health risk for over 60s, but then as my gynaecologist says, there are health benefits eg protecting my bones. I was fearful of starting earlier as I had been discouraged by studies, which have since  been shown to be unreliable and because my sister died of breast cancer years back. I was warned I had insulin resistant symptoms and have a strong family history of diabetes, so I cut down sugar intake following dietary advice and lost 2 stones since starting HRT and maintained by eating a balanced diet. I have a waist! Not a tyre!  So it is possible!

[Joaniepat]

Hi reesa and welcome to MM. It's nice to welcome another late starter. I restarted HRT last year aged 67. Mine was stopped by my GP in 2003 against my will.

My current regime is 2 pumps Oestrogel, a blob of Testogel, Vagifem every third night and vaginal moisturiser twice a day. What I hoped to achieve was an improvement in vaginal atrophy, to ward off osteoporosis and to get some improvement in mood, energy and motivation.

VA is much improved now, but it took quite a while. I have been on Oestrogel for four months, and using some form of local oestrogen for about eight months.

The mood and energy are, I think, getting there, but I have only been on the Testogel for just over two weeks and it takes a few months to get the full benefits. I think in starting HRT at this age it takes a while for one's hormone receptors to wake up.

Having had a hysterectomy I can't comment on the progesterone element, but I'm sure someone who can will be along soon.

I've always been prone to dry skin, too. I use Doublebase Emollient Wash Gel in the shower and Doublebase Gel afterwards. They work a treat and you can get them on prescription or otc. Have you considered seeing a dermatologist about this?

Do you attend a menopause clinic? I can't imagine a bog-standard GP would be that adventurous in prescribing HRT at our age   

JP x

[Hurdity]

Hi reesa

 

Just to add - have you had thyroid function tested because underactive thyroid ( for various reasons) is more common amongst women in mid-life and can cause the symptoms fo dry skin and hair, weight gain, feeling tired. Feeling colder than most other people would be another obvious symptom.

Good luck with the HRT! I am mid 60's and have been on it for nearly 11 years now. When did you go through menopause ( ie age at last period?).

Hurdity x

[Mary G]

reesa, welcome to MM.  It is so encouraging to hear of someone of 66 starting HRT.  Sadly, there are too many women in their 60s who think that the HRT ship has sailed and that they are too old to start HRT.  Thankfully, the new NICE guidelines state that there is no longer an age or time limit for HRT so hopefully the message is finally getting through. 

I would see how you get on with your current HRT regime and if you don't see a significant improvement after a few months, you could then change to Oestrogel and a separate progesterone.  That said, I don't know how you will feel about having periods again so that is something you will need to think about when decide which regime to go for.  Depending on how well you tolerate progesterone, you could consider having a Mirena coil fitted (same progesterone as Femseven I believe) which would mean no periods.  Alternatively, you could take a continuous oral form of progesterone with Oestrogel.  There is vaginal Utrogestan but I don't think you would want to use it that way every single day, most women use it on a cyclical basis. 

I do hope your story will encourage more older women who need HRT to seek help and join MM to share their experiences.  Too many women in their 60s were forced off HRT against their will in the past but the new guidelines mean they can now resume.

Please keep us updated on your progress. 

[Taz2]

Hi reesa. Sorry to hear of your discomfort but so pleased that you have been started on HRT which should improve things in all sorts of ways.

What sort of treatment or tests have you been offered to diagnose what has caused your adhesions? You may find this link interesting as it gives some of the causes of adhesions - one of which is lichen sclerosis - and I wondered if this had been mentioned to you? https://bpac.org.nz/bpj/2014/september/vulvovaginal.aspx  I don't think that the adhesions can be dissolved as such but treatment may involve a series of dilators to gently stretch the area - not certain of this though but I hope you can get the help you need with this.

Taz x 

[CLKD]

 

OUCH!  Keep using the VA treatment?  It won't do any harm and will ease some of the feelings down there. 4 me it was like razor blades  until  began appropriate treatment.

Do seek treatment with perhaps a plastic surgeon regarding the adhesions?  Might seem extreme but someone with knowledge of dealing with similar situation might be the 1st step in getting advice.

Let us know?

[reesa]

Huge thanks to all of you who read and replied. I only just realised that I'd got responses as I didn't tick the 'notify' box...duh!
So...am now reading through all the comments and will post again later when I've had a think and can respond more clearly and specifically.
Really touched that you took the time. xx

[hewitt13]

Hi all,
I'm in a similar position. Had menopause late last year at 60. During last year had seen 2 different consultants with gynae problems. The first said I was too old to be given hrt as it would treble risks of cancer. The other one I saw later in the year gave me hrt to try if I liked and said it should be fine. Problem is I suffer from anxiety with meno and as of yet have not taken hrt because I keep thinking about the bad things that could happen. Any advice would be appreciated.
Many thanks.

[CLKD]

hewitt13 - that bus could be along B4 you feel any benefit from the HRT!  The 1st GP was talking a lot of tosh and really should update himself about current NICE Guidelines.

Quality of Life is important.

[Joaniepat]

Hewitt33, CLKD is right, try it and see how you get on. I restarted HRT at 67, having had mine stopped when I was 54 due to the unfounded health scares that were around in the early noughties. (GP's decision, not mine.) Transdermal is best if you are over 60.
Think of the benefits to your bones, heart and urogenital system, and perhaps your mood too. Good luck!
JP x