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[Autumn69]

I have been digesting and taking in from this forum various HRT options and getting more confused.

I am still getting periods albeit they are few and far between l, don't last long and quite light. What are other people taking that works.

Also if I went private could a blood test tell me the perfect combo to take or is that just a wonderful dream.

[Sparkler]

Hi Autumn

I can feel you optimism shining through! Not always easy to find what works though, and from reading round the forum blood tests seem not that helpful.

I am 49 and peri, and take separate estrogen ( via evorel patches) and progesterone ( 200mg utrogestan for 12 days a month). I decided on this for no other reason than it gave me the most flexibility, without the temptation to vary the dose too often ( I think I would have adjusted too often via estrogen gel), and chose utrogestan because it is bio identical, which seemed a good place to start.  Started on evorel 25 then increased to evorel 50. I am not ‘fixed' but am certainly much improved. I chose patches because they promised a steady delivery of estrogen and transdermal avoids the digestive system.

Some ladies don't cope well with the progesterone - awful side effects, but others are ok. Some ladies find estrogen can give a whole load of other side effects so it's really trial and error.

You will also see on this forum that some ladies take testosterone and lots use local estrogen for vaginal health.

We also have all our own hormones coughing and spluttering in the background, which is why it's important to try a regime and stick with it for a few months to really see what is working and what is not.

Good luck!
Sparkler
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[Orangefoot]

I am 45 and peri for about a year. I started with 50mcg Evorel on its own at the end of last year for a month to see if it improved my symptoms.

It did so the doctor added Utrogestan for 12 days of each cycle but just one cycle of that was awful so I went back to talk about other options.

Symptoms and then relief from symptoms is a much better guide than blood test results.

I'd had a Mirena at 42/3 and it had given me awful mood migraines palpitations panic - basically peri symptoms although I didn't know it. The symptoms disappeared when I had it removed.

The menopause clinic suggested a Jaydess as it had much less progesterone and although fitting it was not comfortable I've been fine now with it plus 75mcg estradot.

[sheila99]

There's no way to tell which you will get on with and which you won't, you just have to try them and see. Bear in mind thousands of women are fine on whatever they're prescribed, you get a distorted view on here because in the main it's people who have had difficulty. I started on everel sequi in peri which was fine for 2 months until I came out in a rash. Now on oestrogel and utro vaginally. I like this because I have a natural 6 week cycle so have the flexibility to do this, and to change the dose depending on what my body is doing (in peri). I get tired on utro but was fine with the prog in evorel. Hope you find a suitable one.

[juliemargaret]

Hi sparkler and orangefoot and sheila99

How are you finding the 12 days utro?  Im also peri but been on alternate days utro vag and feel ok but just plodding along with no real changes so opting to try the utro on a 12 day basis. If i do though im.gonna go for 100mg and not 200mg. Im.scared though  as been on hrt 3 months now.and worried ill upset the applecart...but as i said...just feel im.rubbing in gel and shoving up a pill every other eve for nowt! Plus....now lost the natural rhythm of my old cycle...!

Would be interested to know how you fare on the sequi utro..although i know its different for everyone ! X

[Sparkler]

Hi there

The Utro, for me, is quite calming. I sleep better (zonked about 20 mins after taking it) and my heart rate is lower on the Utro. These things are not unwelcome and it's fine. It IS scary taking two massive pills every evening but I am now in month 4 and have been fine. I MAY be a little more likely to have pmt type symptoms on the Utro, but nothing like before hrt ( when I could cry for 2 days).

Good luck. It's worth a try.
S
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[sheila99]

I think it's a good idea to try a sequi regime. For most people who have difficulty it's the progesterone that's the problem which the sequi regime will show up. I get tired on utro so I'd hate to take it every day.

[Perinowpost]

Autumn69 I like evorel patches, I've tried everything but these are the best (for me) for consistent delivery. As the others have said it's the progesterone which is trickier, I'm currently experimenting with this x

[Hurdity]

I have been digesting and taking in from this forum various HRT options and getting more confused.

I am still getting periods albeit they are few and far between l, don't last long and quite light. What are other people taking that works.

Also if I went private could a blood test tell me the perfect combo to take or is that just a wonderful dream.

Hi there - no need to go private and especially no need for blood tests unless you have no periods due to hysterectomy or Mirena (or POP - though I think some of these distort hormone levels?). Just go by symptoms. As the others have said the perfect combo for you is discovered by trial and error! The starting point are the preparations listed on this website ubnder Treatment/HRT preparations - but guided by we members who have probably between us experienced them all!

What are the symptoms you are hoping to relieve?

I started HRT in late peri (very occasional periods) and I feel for me it was the best time to start. I did suffer fluishes and sweats for some months ( maybe a year or so?) which came and went, and tried various remedies which didn;t work! I started with patches ( I was early/mid 50's) - Evorel sequi and they worked like a crahm on flushes and sweats but i got migraines due to the prog part so changed to Estradot patches along with progesterone - firstly Cyclogest pessaries ( not licensed for hRT but GP prescribed them anyway) and then utrogestan which I use vaginally, and have been on this combo for around 12 years now.

As others have said - defo good to take it cyclically at least at first, even if near menopause, so that you can find out if you feel better with oestrogen only.

Can you elaborate as to what you are confused about and we can try to help with specific queries too?!

Hurdity x

[Autumn69]

Thanks and sorry for delay in responding. Hit bit wall and usual issues at home which I'm struggling with.

It's more side effects. Trying so hard to loose weight and nothing is working which isn't helping my moods. As well as weight I am getting really bad hair thinning only at one side?  And skin is so bad snap. Hospital advised me a while back that they wouldn't recommend HRT due to having endometriosis but if I really wanted to try it if the endo flared up they would just stop it.