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[Sue x]

Hi, I recently had a complete hysterectomy where everything was removed (ovaries/Fallopian tubes/cervix). I had been on HRT before the hysterectomy and now feel I am getting hot flushes and low mood etc. I want to get back on HRT (- I have MS and HRT is thought to be neuro protective). I'm 57 and want to stay on HRT until I die. My GP knows less about HRT than I do!
Any suggestions about which one to go on? Thanks (ps I had been on Femostan 2/10)

[Bobidy]

Hi, I had a hysterectomy retaining ovaries at the start of the year. I hope you are recovering well and taking it easy.

I use the estrogel gel, which is very easy to regulate the dose (number of pumps) until your symptoms are under control. No need for progesterone unless you have had endometriosis.

Here's some info https://www.menopausedoctor.co.uk/menopause/oestrogel

[Sue x]

Than you Bobidy

[Bobidy]

You're welcome. You may start to need some VA treatments too. HRT has reduced dryness for me at the mo and I use YES moisturiser. As you have had your ovaries removed you may want to consider testosterone. I use Androfemme but this is only available privately at the moment but there are alternatives on the NHS (lots of info about them if you search on the forum).

Dr Newson told me that HRT (at reduced doses) can be continued for life, thank god!

Good luck with it all x

[Sammiejane]

hi bobidy

do u have any problems with the gel ? how many pumps do u take and how long have you been on it ?

[Bobidy]

Hi, no problems at all. I followed Dr Newsons advice and started with 1 pump for a couple of weeks, then 1.5 pumps for a couple of weeks then 2 pumps for a couple of weeks. I had some nausea, breast pain and headaches for a little while which then went, nothing major and completely normal. I initially felt good on 2 pumps but then (as I'm in peri and have my ovaries and lovely fluctuating hormones) upped to 2.5 pumps for a couple of weeks then 3. Im now on 3 to 3.5 pumps and feel good. I split it 2 pumps in the morning a 1.5 pumps in the evening but I know some ladies use it all in one go. I think 2 pumps seems to be the minimum and 4 the maximum and we are all different and need different amounts, it's whatever reduces your symptoms really. I started in May 2019.

After 4 months I started on Androfemme once my oestrogen levels had increased. Started this September 2019.

[Sammiejane]

hi bobidy

can i ask what androfemme is ?

i had hair loss on gel currently on 2 pumps where do u apply the gel ?

thanks

[Yorkshire Girl]

Hi Sue Welcome, I had a total hysterectomy 3 years ago at 44, my doctor put me on Everol patches going from 25mg to now being on 100mg and they work really well for me.

[Bobidy]

Hi, Androfemme is a testosterone cream formulated for women but it only available via a private meno specialists and is imported from Australia. I think there are moves to get this or a female equivalent available on the Nhs, I'll ask Dr Newson about it in January and report back. It helps with libido, brain fog, muscular strength and cognition apparently but can take months to properly kick in. There are Nhs alternatives for men where you would take a much lower dose but ladies on here have a lot of success with it. I think you need to plead no libido at the doctors to get it but if you search on the British Menopause Society website there is info about it that you could print out and take to your doctors. If you have no ovaries testosterone levels will be greatly reduced.

I apply the estrogel on the inner thighs above the knee, 1 pump on a surface area hand sized and the same on the other inside thigh. I use both index fingers and rub into both thighs at the same time until dry which takes about 5 mins. I then just wipe fingers on a tissue (flush away) and thoroughly wash my hands. You can dress after 10 mins. I do it after showering and make sure all shower gel is rinsed and no moisturiser applied. I pop another half pump on both inner thighs at night too as Dr Newson said to split the dose, not sure why, and some ladies on here do it all at once. It used to feel like a faff but I'm used to it now. You can apply to outer arm and shoulder but I wanted to keep it away from my breasts.

With the Androfemme I put a pea sized amount alternately on outer thighs, lower thigh one week, upper thigh the next week. I've had no adverse effects.

I've never used patches but may try them once I'm in Menopause rather than peri and my levels aren't fluctuating so much (still got ovaries), I do get allergic to plasters though so not sure if they will suit or not and I'm settled with the gel so don't want to jinx it x


Hope this helps

[Yorkshire Girl]

Hello Yorkshiregirl.

Just chiming in - surgical meno. lady here too. Raising my patches again at the moment, now that I actually have some again!👍

I'm so glad you're doing well. I've been reading from afar but just joined so it's like I almost 'know' all you ladies here who have had the same surgery as me already.

So, really - just to say hi! 😊💜

Hi Lola Welcome to the club I've been lucky getting my patches got my 3 months supply before the shortage got to drastic proportions, but as I also had some 75's left used those up as well! Only have enough now until end January, unfortunately not before the Everol will be available again from new supplier. Hope you are doing ok.

[Sammiejane]

bobidy

can i ask what you use in way of progesterone do have mirena coil fitted ? to protect your uterus or have you had it removed ?

[Bobidy]

Hi

I had a hysterectomy so no need for progesterone thank goodness, as this seems to be the part which causes ladies most problems on here.

I waited until after my op before I started hrt x

[Sammiejane]

bobidy

you are on the gel is this estrogel or sandrena ?

have you had hair kiss on this before adding in testosterone and when you added testosterone did this help or make things worse ?

[Bobidy]

I'm on the estrogel which I get on the NHS, one canister lasts me 3 weeks at 3ish pumps per day. My prescription is for 4 canisters at a time so lasts about 3 months.

I took this for 4 months before starting Androfemme testosterone.

I've never had any hair loss. My understanding is this is when oestrogen is low and testosterone is dominant (could be wrong). It would also be worth getting thyroid checked.

Both oestrogen and testosterone have had subtle changes for me. As I have not got night sweats or raging flushes nothing has been dramatic but lots of things are better for sure: sleep (no adrenaline rushes), joint pain, mood, temper, skin, vein dilation, overheating, chills, brain fog etc. I basically don't feel like death warmed up any more!

It's difficult to advise as we are all so different but the medical evidence is there and I think it is a matter of trial and error with a whole heap of patience as it can take months to get on an even keel. I'm expecting to have to keep tweeking as I'm in peri at the moment.

I should just say that even with a hysterectomy, progesterone is needed if there is a history of endometriosis.

[Sammiejane]

hi ladies

i'm having rough time my mind is doing overtime i'm exhausted

i've been on estrogel prior to that elleste solo patch about 12 weeks after starting estrogen so the patch i started shedding hair and thought starting the gel would help but it continues and am still shedding not sure if it's the gel or estradiol itself ! just wondered if an imbalance at play would adding testosterone help?

for you ladies who are currently on testosterone and take estrogen only were u experiencing any hairloss just with the estrogen and then this improved with the testosterone ?