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[Roseneath]

I am 2-3 year into Peri.  Have skipped a period every 3-4 months. Only other symptoms increased anxiety/insomnia which comes and goes. Mid cycle gunk which checked out OK.  Tried Elleste Duet but it significantly increased anxiety plus nightmares so GP advised to stop.  Now have low level sinus type headaches every 3-4 weeks which last for about 5 hours.  New GP (Have seen 6 now!) recommended Merina coil for headaches. Reading the info sheet & info on this site it doesn't mention menopause / headaches as a reason to take it. More about contraception/ heavy period which I don't have. Any experience with it anyone?

[Dancinggirl]

The advice generally is that, if you suffer with headaches, then transdermal HRT is the better option.  The Mirena is transdermal and essentially delivers the progesterone more locally to where it is needed - so this should mean less absorbed systemically so fewer side effects.  Having said this, there can be a hit of progesterone for the first few weeks after fitting but this should settle and then there are few problems.

The Mirena with Oestrogel was my best HRT regime and I tried just about everything going.  DG x

[SEU666]

I've had Mirena since May 2017 and started estrodot patches September 2017. Been in Peri since just about 40, now 47.
I couldn't use COC before as got terrible constant migraines, but had no trouble with headaches with the Mirena and estrogen patches (on 50mg patch) so far.
Flushes mostly controlled, vaginal dryness seems to be controlled with the estroge cream twice a week now.
Maybe worth a try if you get migraines.
Good luck Roseneath x

[Roseneath]

Thanks SEU66...I am dithering whether to go ahead or not. I find in Peri I get in a state with a symptom e.g. the headaches, the anxiety, hand tingling, you name it. I make a GP appointment, then it disappears and another different symptom comes along a few weeks later. I think because my low level anxiety is ramped up when something doesn't feel right I instantly think it is hormonal. In my 20s/30s I probably still had aches and pains and moods but was always so forward looking (and not so stressed with no kids!) I just got on with it.
When I get a down patch I am desperate to get rid of it, but then I can feel fine for a good 3-4 weeks. Thanks for your advice.

[CarryWarry]

Hi there.  After daily headaches for two and a half years (never had headaches before the menopause) I have just changed my HRT to Mirena Coil (six weeks ago) and patch (75) and two squirts of oestrodose/estrogel (I have both at the moment as saw GP and also got some privately).  My head is significantly BETTER now I am not taking any tablets orally and I think it's  fantastic that the kind people on here told me about this.  I keep praying that eventually I will be 100%.  At the moment I am happy though, despite having two types of headache normally, I now no longer have pain in the right side of my head.  I do however have pressure by the evening which hurts if I cough or sneeze.  I was told my a neurologist that I have two types of headaches going on...so maybe one (the pressure) is nothing to do with my hormones.  I am off to see the GP again tomorrow for a chat.  I think it's worth having transdermal meds if you have bad headaches/migraine.    Thanks to this forum I found this out.  Invaluable.  Gold stars and hugs to all who helped me!!    Oh and when I first started this nightmare, I was treated for sinus headaches, so it sounds similar to you....

[Dancinggirl]

Carrywarry - I'm so pleased things are improving for you - you may feel M.D. in time that it gets even better once the iestegn really works it's magic.
When you don't have to take so many pain killers, you may find you feel better overall as well. DG x

[CarryWarry]

Thanks DG!  I have taken no pain killers for a long time really.  Just now and then but they do nothing.  Also I need to avoid rebound headaches.  Thanks for your info about the whatsits -'iestegen'kicking in - didn't know that and never heard of it...assuming it's not a 'predictive' error on oestrogen but doubt it.  ...need to look that up now...not sure why it has never kicked in before when I've been on other HRTs various.   I MUST be well by Christmas because I can't stand yet another Christmas feeling so poorly (esp as I entertain all the family quite often..!)  I am off to the South of France soon and so pleased I've turned a little corner lately.  I find it very hard to trust it though!  Just need the bleeding to stop (stops intermittently since the coil went in but keeps returning....never happened before in my 17 years of the coil...another menopausal dream *sarcasm*) and get rid of the pressure in my head.  The nasty headache that made me cry has dissipated at the mo.   Hopefully the first holiday in a few where I don't sit opposite my DH just thinking about how my head is so painful.... HOORAH.  xx

[CarryWarry]

Just Googled iestegen and have got the giggles as I think it WAS a predictive....

[CarryWarry]

Also just had to look up M.D.  I'm just gonna stab a guess at 'much better'.  Really giggling now....but at least I'm giggling not bloody crying for a change!!! xx

[Dancinggirl]

Sorry about the predictive spelling mistakes. I meant the oestrogen benefits will hopefully continue to improve things. It can take 3-6 months for full benefits to kick in.
I get horrid headaches and they are worse now I've stopped hrt. I'm 62 and when I hit 60 I felt it was time to stop hrt for me but i am paying the price for the oestrogen deficiency.
So pleased you are making good progress. DG x

[CarryWarry]

Awww sorry to hear this DG.  My specialist is adamant we should never STOP hrt....I walk into her surgery and she constantly shows press releases and emphasises the very positive side of HRT...I'm sure you know all this.  She wants all of us who suffer dreadfully to stay on it forever and I'm now one of her disciples!

I've just posted about the fact I did a stand-up course last year and the hell we all go through on the 'the funny side' posts here, (I made many menopause jokes as I was living in hell).   After I posted on here I went into the lounge and had a boo hoo with hubby who was lovely...the fact we still get through life going through this dreadful menopause is quite remarkable.  The fact that we are the first generation to really 'put it out there' is commendable but how sorry do we all feel for our grandmothers and p'raps Mums (although mine loved HRT for 14 years and is still jolly, intelligent and witty at the age of 80).  My heart goes out to everyone through this. xx