I am so sorry to hear this stellajane - I was really hoping it would be different for you this time! Also for the very selfish reason that it would give me impetus to try - but provided my health lasts out I think I will keep going for a wee while longer, much as I hate the bloody bleeds - and prog itself and withdrawal....!!!! Good luck with the doc and do report back!
Hurdity x
Hello Stellajane/Hurdity,
I came off HRT on 01 May 2020, so just 5 or so weeks in. I started a slow taper in June 2019 from 2mg Ostradial gel to 1mg in October 2019, then from New Year's missing a day once a week, then applying on alternate days, then applying 0.5mg every other day up til April. I phone the GP about reducing the Utrogestan tablets, she recommended that I take the plunge as I was already taking a very low dose of Ostradial. And it would save me from enduring another bleed. At this point I very rarely got any symptoms except mild hot spells and migraine.
With regards to symptoms, atm, I am experiencing mild hot flashes in the early hours of the morning, which sometimes wakes me up. But I just throw the duvet over onto OH's side, and we have Dyson cooler on most nights now. In the last few days I have experienced heart palpitations and jitteriness. I have also been experiencing GMS including vaginal dryness & cystitis type symptoms (However, the urine sample came back negative for cystitis). The Dr offered me vaginal estrogen tablets. However, before I move on to them I will continue with OTC Replens moisturiser. Though not sure if that is a LT solution as, as you write Hurdity, the symptoms only worsen over time.
I have been on HRT since 2016 (after experiencing early peri-menopausal symptoms at age 40) and had enough of the cyclical bleed, not only that but my fibroids had increased in size and was causing so much discomfort and pain during the withdrawal bleed that after seeing 3 Gynecologists; 1 NHS & 2 private, they all recommended partial hysterectomy. I did not want to go down that route for many reasons, but I also learned that you have a 15% chance of developing a prolapse, where other organs like the bladder can slowly slip down the vagina as essentially the scaffolding of the uterus is not there to hold the organs in place.
So since November 2019 I have changed to a vegetarian diet, cut out spicy food, which is hard as I love my Indian food, increased my exercise including Yoga. So far this has helped with the overall symptoms of not using HRT, and fingers crossed will shrink the fibroids too.
When I get heart palpitations, I use deep breathing exercises and exercise self-love i.e. saying positive affirmations.
I am managing some hair loss/thinning by not using shampoo and conditioner and washing hair every two weeks. But I think lockdown has lot do answer for with regard to this new lifestyle change. Only last Sunday, I washed my hair with water and diluted Apple Vinegar Cider. And I have what appears to be voluminous soft hair, but I digress.
I think it is worth investigating what other cultures do to help alleviate menopause symptoms from diet, exercise and a lot of self-care, otherwise, from the way I see it, it is a lifetime of medication to correct side affects from using or not using HRT.
Stellajane, this non-HRT path will take a lot of resilience and experimentation. I wish you well on this road.
Hurdity, I wish you well when you take the plunge to taper down again.
With love,
Chikabee