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[Debs1]

After suffering for weeks from hot flushes,dizziness,weakness,tiredness and various other menopause symptoms I finally went to the doctors...decided I would give HRT a go,since starting Novofem I feel my dizziness,tiredness and feeling weak are getting worse...spoke to doc who basically said upto you,stay on hrt or stop taking it...really don’t know what to do...and just wondering has anybody tried the serenity natural progesterone cream..sorry for long post just need advice on my next move...didn’t find docs very helpful...thanks

[Catcc]

Hi Debs

It might be worth going to see another GP to look at trying other types of HRT?  There are lots of different ones.  Is there a GP at your practice who has a specific interest in menopause?

Also, how long have you been on the Novofem?  It does take a few months to get the full benefit of HRT and for your body to adjust to it. 

I tried Serenity when I was going through peri.  At the time I felt it did help (along with various supplements).  But the flushes eventually returned and I ended up using tons of the serenity cream, so I opted for HRT (patches). 

Hope you feel better soon.

[SJH48]

I was put on Novofem when Elleste Duet was unavailable after I'd been on that for 3 months, then put on Femoston 2/10 because a few days before my period was due, I felt totally wiped out and more rubbish than normal, with awful digestive problems that made me not want to leave the house. When I first started on the Femoston I felt awful for quite a few weeks (luckily during lockdown) but not as bad now. I can't remember if I felt the same when I started on Novofem as it seems so long ago now, but I certainly got a bit better with my last switch in HRT - I was almost at 6 months though and had a couple of calls to the doctor with me crying down the phone saying that I wanted to stop the HRT. I've been reading up on natural progesterone and keen to hear of anyone who's tried it too as I think that's the next route I'd like to take, as I still get rubbish days of feeling generally unwell.

[sheila99]

It's oestrogen you need to replace, progesterone is just to protect your womb. You still have plenty of hrt options to try, a patch or gel is safer than oral. I agree you need to see a gp who knows more about it than this one. Have a look at the Treatments tab for available options. Most people have difficulty with the progesterone not oestrogen so perhaps try something with a different progestin.

[Debs1]

Thanks everyone,only took the hrt for a few weeks,some would argue not long enough,but I just felt so much worse on it...doctors really are no help at all,specifically ask for the menopause doctors and end up with a male doctor on fone,easier to sit at home & suffer and take things hour by hour...

[sheila99]

Ask for a referral to an NHS menopause clinic, you don't have to suffer. I actually got my best treatment from an ignorant male gp, I asked for what I wanted (gel and utro) and he gave it to me. The female 'specialist' gp would only me oral or a patch that I was allergic to. Best to get clued up on treatment options though so you can argue your case (I know you shouldn't have to  ).