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[Trudles]

Hi everyone. I'm 52 and been peri for 6 years. Was previously on Femoston 1/10 but 2 weeks ago the doc changed me to Oestrogel and Norethisterone. I had asked for Testosterone for extreme fatigue which she refused. I have been feeling awful with massive hot and cold sweats and anxiety. Please tell me this will wear off. Also, should I be taking the Norethisterone continuously as she didn't mention. Xx

[Flossieteacake]

Hello and welcome to the forum. I am sorry to hear your GP is not supportive. I have read patches and gel are meant to be a better form of HRT then tablets. Maybe this is why your GP suggested a change. It can take time to get used to a new HRT and to find out if it is tolerable. If it is too awful then I can understand if you would want to stop and try something else.

Which form is the Norethisterone in?

Sadly it can be difficult to get testerone from the GP unless you say it is for low libido.

[SarahT]

Hello Trudles,

If ever I alter my hrt I do find it takes some time for the body to adjust to the changes. And fortunately I find things so settle, even if I am still needing to find my right dose. Hormones can fluctuate a lot during peri and I personally I still go up and down on my own cycle. I would try to persevere if you can, though I really understand how truly awful it can feel. Many times I just wanted to give in.

My own Dr is unwilling prescribe tostesterone either. Am sorry I cannot advise on the norethisterone. Hope someone can help with that query.

[Trudles]

Hiya. The Norethisterone is tablets.
I did mention low libido too but she wasn't keen. I think she is hoping that the change in HRT would help. Not so far, I feel rougher than I did before. Got a call with her next Thursday xx

[CLKD]

Why did your GP think it necessary to alter a regime that was working?

Also GPs aren't allowed to prescribe testosterone: 1 has to jump through hoops via a dedicated NHS menopause clinic who can advise the GP  .  Check that there isn't a dedicated menopause GP/Nurse Practitioner at your Surgery?  With your story I would be asking for a referral to a Clinic - not a gynae - to get onto a waiting list.

Browse round. Ask away.

[Trudles]

The GP did mention the only way would be referral to a Menopause Clinic but think she wanted to see how I went with the new HRT regime. I know it is early days so hopefully will improve but she didn't say to start after I had finished my current month and I just went straight in. Think this was a mistake on reflection but she didn't tell me otherwise. 

[CLKD]

I do wish that GPs would keep to their remit 

If a regime is working then don't alter - if other symptoms arise, refer to the appropriate specialist.  This goes across the board for all conditions.

Get on a Menopause Clinic waiting list.  Ring your Surgery and ask to be referred as you are aware that there are long waiting lists.  I would also go back on the regime which worked!

Low libedo happens at any age and 4 me it was hormonally based though my GP at the time [1978] told me that I was depressed.  Yep.  Depressed because GPs weren't listening    that's better  can U tell it makes me angry even now!

Let us know how you get on. 

[sheila99]

Have you compared the amount of oestrogen you get from each regime? I wonder if it's been reduced as your symptoms are getting worse. Even if it appears equivalent you may not absorb well transdermally. Whatever you do long term I would do a couple of months on a sequi regime so you can tell if the norethisterone suits you or not. It's a bit unusual you've been prescribed this, it's normally utrogeston. I tried to get it when utro wasn't triggering a bleed but my gp wouldn't prescribe it. I would get on the waiting list for a meno clinic, my absent libido was cured by testosterone and it helped with tiredness and motivation. You need to be on sufficient oestrogen to control your symptoms first though.

[Trudles]

Thank you to those who have taken the time to reply. I have been on the Oestrogel and Norethisterone for 25 days now. The first 3 weeks were awful with hot and cold sweats and anxiety and lack of sleep. Had call with GP today and brought her up to speed. She wasn't much help and basically said it's up to me whether I stick it out or go back to Femoston. I also queried her about not stopping for a bleed. She asked if I had been having a period previously- surely she should have asked this before starting me on the new regime! I told her about every 30 days but only a small amount. She said it's ok to take the gel and tablets every day. I feel very angry, confused and ill advised. And totally forgot to mention about the referral to Meno Clinic. Need to ring surgery again to sort that 😩😩 I think I will give it another few weeks on the new regime as the flushing isn't constant as it was at the beginning.

[CLKD]

Get an appt for a menopause clinic - there are waiting lists.  Your GP should b e more up2date, sadly not many seem to be!