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[Sumi]

Hi, I am new to the forum and newbie to hrt. I hope you kind ladies can share your redlections. I have rhumatoid arthritis diagnosed age 43 and take methrotrexate which on reflection was start of perimenopause. I am now 47 and had a mirena inserted 2 months ago. My arthritis at time of insertion was well controlled and i was fully mobile no joint pain. I am also on 1 pump estrogel started 6 weeks ago.  This past month my joints have been extremely painful especially at night. I think the estrogel dose is too little but my gp thinks I need to go slowly and wants me to wait it out for another month and then increase to 2 pumps. Has anyone experienced increase in joint pain? Did things settle?

[KillerQueen]

Are you hypermobile by any chance? I've had terrible joint pain that started last year, progesterones make it worse for sure - adding testosterone eventually resolved it almost entirely except for towards the end of my prog cycle. Not Mirena (which I am still considering trying as I am on a high dose of estrogen due to low absorption) but I started on Slynd (drospirenone) at the start of Dec as I've not tolerated any progestins or micronised progesterone at all well. I lasted two and a half weeks. Amongst many other things, I had an immediate return of all the joint pain. I am certainly hypermobile, though not officially diagnosed and it turns out progesterone only BC is to be used with caution in those with hypermobility as it is known to cause issues such as these.

Also, my mum was diagnosed with (and medicated for) rheumatoid arthritis because of severe joint pain at 43 - however it came and went, and after further investigation they eventually told her she didn't have it after all. We think now it was likely hormonal as she was definitely experiencing other symptoms looking back. Mine started at the same age.

Upping estradiol is worth a try, but may be worth looking into micronised progesterone or other types of progestin either way, if you haven't tried already. What we can tolerate as individuals varies wildly. Good luck  x

[CLKD]

RA is an auto-immune disease.  Years ago Gold injections were given into the joints to ease symptoms.

RA may be intermittent.  A friend goes to Cyprus from November until March and his symptoms clear completely. 

As oestrogen levels naturally drop muscles may become weak = aches and pains, plus the body may become dry: inside and out.  Some find that keeping a mood/food/symptom diary of use.