Estrogel: Did it help your insomnia?

[demigodz]

It's not helping mine. I re-read the patient leaflet today and realised its quite vague on promises - its says its for "symptoms such as hot flushes", with no mention of other menopause symptoms by name. So I'm thinking it may just be for the milder end of the symptom spectrum. Has anyone succesfully treated insomnia using this or another hrt product?

It worked really well for me on all counts. I have a mirena coil to.

It improved mine but didn’t solve it. I have to take 8mg slow release melatonin as well and I’m still waking for the day from 5.30/6pm when I need more sleep than this. Still this is better than 4.39/5pm plus a dozen night wakings.

It slightly improved it.

Also my gp said that I need to recognise that it may improve sleep problems but not get things back to how they were before

What dose are you on?

On 3 pumps a day, my sleep was transformed. The first couple of days got 10+ hours.

After that joyous first week, I didn’t get any more sleep binges, but in general the impact on my sleep was one of the biggest positives of Estrogel for me.

I would echo the PP who said said it won’t ever go back to pre-menopause sleep. On the rare occasion that I get 7 or more hours, I know I’ll have trouble sleeping the following night.

Just the standard dose, which is 2 pumps (one on each arm, in the evening). I did wonder if increasing it might help, which is why I checked the instructions again today - they didn't inspire confidence though as they have reems of text about potential side effects, and only that one rather vague mention of a benefit.

@HairyKitty are you over 55? I'd like to try melatonin, but everything I've read online suggests its only prescribed for people age 55+. I'd be interested to know why. (I'm 50).

Ha I have no idea why, I did look it up and it didn’t concern me, but it’s legally and readily available on the internet from America. I am under 55yrs and buy from biovea, I get time release in the biovea brand. Dose seems to be 2mg up to max 10mg. I would be in a crazy sleep deprived state without it. Do try it, delivery is about 2 weeks.

Magnesium helped my sleep.
‘If I need to ensure a good night I take an antihistamine, but rarely.

I have gel which I put on in the morning but I find the progesterone which I take at night really helps with sleep

We had a talk on the menopause. Apparently only about 50%(ish) of women feel a benefit from HRT. Which is a bit shit really. No reference was given.

My insomnia was horrendous. The anxiety medication did nothing. Nor did running, mindfulness etc. I have patches. They have been a revelation. Most nights I sleep through.

You have my sympathy. Broken nights and poor sleep is hard.

I prefer the melatonin as it has no side effects at all for me and is something that’s found naturally in our bodies

You can go up to four pumps. Magnesium is c good for insomnia.

@tilder did you have the gel before or only ever the patches? I’m on the gel and wondering if it’s worth trying patches for the insomnia

No gel. Patches only and the dose was increased to help with sleep (and worked). Gives a steady dose and works for me. My GP went through my medical history, with patches most appropriate for me.

Talk to your GP. Or a menopause specialist. First thing you try might not work, but there are other options.

@tilder, did you ever have insomnia before menopause, or was it the definite cause? Mine has been terrible since age 45+, but I had it at other times in my life, including as a child, and my dad had it too (which obvs wasn't menopause related). So, while I want to believe HRT will be a solution, I do worry it might be genetic and therefore more difficult to address.