What has HRT done or didn’t do for you in peri phase?

[FullyLined]

I am 46 and have had awful PMS since turning 40 for 5 years, emotionally. Last year GP has switched me to a mini pill to see if it helps and it has saved me, possibly quite literally. I wish I had spoken to the doctor earlier but it was only through Mumsnet that I have learnt that it may have peri related.

Now, I am struggling with anxiety, mainly work related but also I stress out about things that I would be astonished for anyone to worry about. Constant mental,list making and crumbling when asked a question. Could not decide to buy round or square miniture Tupperware, in case I get it wrong and regret. They were £2.50 FFS.

Then, I get heart palpitations and then lie in bed unable to sleep. I do everything right - diet, exercise, barely any alcohol, one coffee in the morning etc. So, reading up about the symptoms, it seems like it’s worth asking about HRT, the doctor did say we can start when I feel like I need it. So, I have a few questions to those who have been using HRT:

Has it helped with anxiety? Has it improved your sleep? Has it given you unexpected side effects - good like better skin and sex drive or bad? More or less or no different with energy and motivation? How long did it take to kick in? Patch or gel? Anything else I should know? Thank you.

Not started HRT myself yet but am the same age as you OP and also suffering with a few things although not enough to massively affect my life so interested if the benefits outweigh the risks in my case. Watching with interest!

I was suffering from hot flushes, anxiety and insomnia. HRT really helps. After 12 months I could feel my anxiety increasing so asked to have my dose upped which made a big difference.

Yes. I had all of what you described. I felt better by day 2 oestrogen (gel, started with one pump. Now on 2 pumps 3 months in). Anxiety better. Palpitations gone. Slept much better (was waking at 4am every night. Some nights I’d feel like I had been in a long awake type dream. Awful). Skin stopped itching as much. Amazing! It could have been placebo effect but I don’t care really 😂.

However ..the progesterone (2x tablets orally days 15-25) made the anxiety come back the first month. Fortunately I persevered and was on a chilled holiday so it was bearable. I almost gave up but instead month 2 I tried one orally and one vaginally (not recommended in UK) and this month I’ve done one a day days 1-25. I think this has been the best, but it may just be I’m used to the progesterone now.

I think having the progesterone at night on an empty stomach is the best.

Honestly, I was a wreck and now I feel normal again! Anger, crying, awful, awful heart palpitations all much better. Focus much better too. Recollection of names or what I came to the kitchen for.. not so much 😂.

I’d definitely give it a go and try and stick it out/ have a play about with doses etc for 3 months before deciding. Honestly, I was about to start shoving antidepressants down my throat and getting a straight jacket ordered before I started. Now I’m… zen (ish). Sending random stranger hugs. Bloody awful, isn’t it?! Who knew?! Just thought my periods would stop one day 🤯

Saved my life. Balanced my mood so well. I’m the opposite to some, I need the progesterone (Utrogestan) and feel like my world is ending without it, so much so that I went on continuous HRT, as there’s no need to have a break and bleed each month.

Yes it has helped with anxiety - I feel so much calmer. Felt I was losing a lot of hair in peri, but that has stopped. Sex drive has not come back though, feels like it’s gone forever (can’t say I care very much). Joint pain has gone.

@Fluffyowl00 Thank you for your generous message. Yes, it took me a couple of weeks to adjust to the mini pill, my boobs were hurting so much to start with!

Everything I read suggests drop in oestrogen - why did you also need progesterone, especially if it was hard work to begin with?

I’m not on the mini pill so you need the progesterone to shed uterus lining I believe. otherwise it gets too thick with just oestrogen? I guess you wouldn’t need it and could just continue mini pill?

TBH it’s fine now, I think I was lacking in both. Never used to have a problem with pill or mini pill and I even had this progesterone when I had IVF no bother then, so I think it was either the taking it on a full stomach or just my body not being used to it. From what I can tell the awful feelings are not necessarily from a lack of hormones but rather fluctuations which make your body spin into overdrive trying to balance them out. So putting a steady
level in takes a bit for the body to realise it doesn’t need to panic any more?

It all takes a bit of tweaking really. I started on one pump of gel (half dose) but still saw results

Also- get the HRT yearly pre paid prescription. Makes it much cheaper.

This is my armchair HRT doctor expertise at its finest 😂. Hope it helps.

Not sure about anxiety but HRT really helped with hot flushes and insomnia (sorted my sleep out straight away!).
Still have brain fog and joint pain, maybe its better but I'm not prepared to stop taking it to find out!
I think self care really helps as well so a good diet and exercise. I Def feel much better when I'm being active and eating well.

HRT has been a game changer.
Been 10 months. I’m 41. Extensive tests showed I’m in peri and close to an early menopause.
I’m on 2 pumps of Oestrogel, 12 days of Progesterone.
Within a few weeks of starting:
Crippling anxiety : 80% gone
Terrible Sleep : 80% improved
mainly thanks to no more hot sweats at night & I look forward to the progesterone stage as it makes me sleep even better.
Less dryness and improved vaginal dermatitis.
More energy. Moods more steady.

Periods more random & unpredictable (sometimes spotting, sometimes periods, no real pattern) but a lot lighter, less painful and more manageable. I have Adenomyosis so they were awfully painful, like crime scenes & took over my life.