Perimenopause anxiety / low mood HRT advice

[lottiebear69]

I am 48 with irregular periods and hormone tests have shown I’m perimenopausal. I don’t feel like me anymore my anxiety has increased massively, I feel low / blue a lot, my motivation for work is disappearing, my head is foggy and I generally am snappy and not the person I was! I want the old happy me back for myself and my family ! I’m considering HRT. I currently take Menomin supplements with krill oil and all the b vits. I haven’t been on the pill since having my kids, and I felt better at the time not being on it again as I used to get a lot of migraines on it now I just get them on the first day of my period which I can just about deal with. My question is which HRT to take I don’t want to waste time with drs trial and error which seems to be what they do so was considering going private for bio identical profiling ? Can anyone offer advice please ? For HRT or specialists ? I want to feel like me again !

[PollyPerky]

If you mean blood tests to see how your hormones are, there is no point. In peri they change from day to day. No reputable dr would bother with these tests.

Also, there is no such thing as bio identical HRT. This was a marketing term. Some private drs use what they call 'compounded HRT' which is HRT made for you, in a lab. This is not licensed. It's a con because the tests they do are only based on your hormones on one day. The next day they could be different.

The term now used for HRT which is the same as the hormones we have ourselves, is 'body identical'. This is available in many types of HRT and all on the NHS.

Many women find Femoston is good , or Oestrogel plus natural progesterone called Utrogestan.

It really is a case of trying one and seeing if it helps.

Good luck!

[Choccogoingcuckoo]

Hi,

Peri-menopause is awful and I understand too well the feeling of not feeling like yourself. Bio identical profiling sounds interesting, does this match you up with the correct hrt? I can't offer any advice on specialists but I have tried a few different hrt.

I started off on Climagest 1mg and felt it didn't agree so changed to femoston 1mg, there was an improvement for a while then became symptomatic again and now take Femoston 2/10mg. There was a definite improvement with the higher dose.

I go for vitamin B12 injection every 10 weeks which helps with the brain fog, alertness, concentration and hormone speak. Apparently b12 deficiency can be common in peri-menopause so worth considering a blood test to check vit and mineral levels. I believe you cannot get b12 from b vit supplements.

I also take vit C drinks and vit D3 tabs for bone health.

My symptoms improve all round when I eat the healthy choices and drink lots of water over drinks high in sugar and caffiene, although not always the easy choice with peri-mentalpause hormones.

Deep sleep app helps with the night time insomnia. If you get night sweats perhaps consider wearing exercise clothes with dry technology, this wicks the water away from your body while you sleep.

[lottiebear69]

Thank you chocco and polly. Femostan is mentioned by you both, have you found it lifted mood and anxiety ? Have you found any side effects at all ? I appreciate they’ll be different for people but would love to find a starting place that works. I have booked to see gp on 30th and I know from previous discussion with them that they’re happy for md to give them a go - my migraines are my main concern as I worry they’ll increase. I’m listening to bbc and woman’s hour pod cast at the moment - very interesting .

[PollyPerky]

Migraines before a period are caused by the fall in progesterone at the end of a cycle. I have had this all my life and also have it now using HRT (sequential regime.) It's very common.

You may find you get on better with gel or a patch if you have migraine because the hormones are absorbed better than with a tablet.

It really is trial and error.

If you look at the Menopause Matters website, Dr Currie has a blog on the Home page; you need to scroll right down the page to find the blog topics. There is a blog about bio identical HRT and what it is, and isn't.
Useful reading!

[PollyPerky]

BTW have you tried exercise for moods? If you can get 30-45 mins outside, in a green space, every day, fast walking or jogging, whatever you prefer, this can really help mood.

[Choccogoingcuckoo]

I've not had side effects on 2/10, on the 1mg dose I don't think it was so much side effects as it was simply not the right dose. The 2/10 absolutely helped improve my mood and anxiety, quite noticeably. I also use some cognitive behavioural therapy (cbt) techniques, I found these good for questioning and rationalising negative thoughts and stopping the anxiety taking over.

I would second what @pollyperky said about exercise. Pre perimenopause I loved high intensity exercise like spin cycle but now I love going to nearby country or beaches with my dog and walking letting the fresh air blow the cobwebs away, I also love yoga and pilates. Anything that really relaxes my mind and settles the soul.

It's just finding what works for you. Other than hrt managing the symptoms there are other long term health benefits of taking it. For me, being younger than the norm for hitting menopause, it's bone density and strength.

[Choccogoingcuckoo]

I should have said I get menstrual migraines as well. Hrt does help the severity but I do still get them (I get the aura type more than the head pain). I have beta blockers (propanolol) on standby to use as and when needed but use them a lot less now, maybe one or two tablets every few months. These work better, for me, than any pain killer I've tried.

[lottiebear69]

Choccy I googled Femoston and read the leaflet it seemed to imply this would be given if your periods have ceased and you’re through the menopause - I’m getting periods still in fact there’s less time between them generally- this one only 21 days! Were you peri when you started HRT ?

[lottiebear69]

incidentally I had headphones for Xmas with the aim of running everyday ! But unluckily I have had this cold bug and have a hideous cough but trying walking except yesterday and today when head to painful to even move but good to know you recommend

[Choccogoingcuckoo]

Get well soon. Blood test 5 years ago returned diagnosis of peri-menopausal and still getting periods (every two months now). I've got premature ovarian failure so that might be why I've been preacribed them but I really don't know?!

[PollyPerky]

Femoston is suitable for peri and post meno- I think there are two types one is sequi the other is continuous - look online.

[Superjaggy]

I'm 46 and on Femoston 2/10 sequi - have just increased my dose last month and have found a huge positive difference in my mood and anxiety levels. I'm on the progestogen-only part of the cycle and my mood hasn't been nearly as low as it was at the same point on 1/10. If you're asking for HRT for the first time your GP might suggest starting on 1/10, but if you go armed with a convincing case s/he might start you on 2/10 - hope you get what you're looking for.

[Superjaggy]

Also I'm peri, I was still getting periods when I started HRT, my cycle had become erratic and I was having night sweats.

[Superjaggy]

Oh and I also agree re CBT techniques for managing anxiety - plus long walks and Pilates :)

[Copenhagen]

Agree. Learning to be ourselves & chilling & accepting a new phase works wonders