If you're on HRT, did it help?

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I wanted to ask about other MNetters' experiences with HRT. If you are currently on it, are you happy with how it’s working? I’ve been on HRT for over a year and while it has helped with hot flushes, I’m still struggling with other symptoms (low energy, poor sleep, brain fog) and just generally not feeling great.

I’ve had blood tests done and everything is coming back as it should, so it seems like I’m on the 'right' HRT, but I’m not getting the amazing results that so many people talk about.

I’d like to hear from others - good or bad experiences. Thank you.

I was on in it for about 10 years - from late 40s. It really helped but it took a while to find the right form for me that ticked most of the boxes - and the poor sleep has never been fixed. It also changed over the 10 years what I needed from it. I'd try a different way of taking it.

Yes. Immensely.

But I had fallen so far down that there was a long way to come back up.

I am now safe to go put on my own to walk the dog in the woods without anybody (including me) having to worry that I’ll turn into one of those middle age women who out of nowhere decided they weren’t that attached to the concept of being alive anymore.

My mood is stable. Especially since I gave up on sequential really fast and went on continuous. I’m free from rumination on steriods. All in all my headspace is better than it’s been since 1984. Combo of HRT, anti depressants, some supplements and my ADHD group.

On the other hand, I’m no spring chicken. Have to plan around my energy, not the number of hours in a day and miss how slim and spritely I remember myself as.

Took a while to get my dose right. I needed a pretty robust estrogen dose to pull me out of my downward spiral, but now down to a medium-high dose.

Also…. I take melatonin for sleep. That’s really helped with the waking up for no reason issue.

I don't really want to take stuff to sleep every night - in addition to HRT. That's why I was hoping HRT would help more than it's done.

I've only been on it 2 months but already my mood has improved and my periods are easier. Mid month ovulation pain easier too.

It was life-changing for me (and I cringe when people say that but its true). I am on progesterone and estrogen patch, It fixed hot flashes, achy joints, anxiety, rage and more. I honestly didn't realize how miserable I was until I started HRT. I improved my shit sleep but that could still be better. I will not go off HRT.

Oestrogel has worked wonders for me!

guidelines state that peri should be treated on symptoms not blood tests which are a very ineffective way of testing hormones. You might need a different type or higher dose. Do you have a women’s clinic or GP that is more experienced in peri/menopause at your surgery you could speak to?

It has been life changing for me - my moods, sleep, overall feeling of contentment, hot flushes and other symptoms have all improved. I am a better person to be around - it has, however, taken two years to get the dose right. I wish I had gone on it years ago!!

I've been on HRT about 9 years.
Its not been amazing. It helped with symptoms but no combination of HRT totally removed them.
Ultimately, it's better then nothing.

It helped with most things, except sleep. I've always been a terrible sleeper though. I do take magnesium glycinate though it doesn't really help.
Are you on testosterone as part of it? That helped with brain fog and fatigue for me.

I’ve had blood tests done

Why? Blood tests are not recommended unless you are under 45, and to rule out other issues which are perhaps causing symptoms. What dosage are you on?

Yes yes yes. Absolutely fan-bloody tastic.

I was like the PP above who would walk through the woods imagining which tree would provide a sturdy supporting branch.

As soon as I ovulated within 48hrs I'd be crying and this would last for two weeks till I bled, then I'd be fine for ten days. I was exhausted from the bleeding, so getting my iron levels up also helped. The steps I took were:

Went up to 100mcg oestrogen within 4months of starting. Thankfully GP didn't make me wait three months each time.

Switched from utrogestan to mirena coil. Game changer. Helped me sleep without the 'drugged' feeling of utrogestan.

Added testosterone which helped marriage immensely.

Also vaginal oestrogen, no more need to wee at night.

Plus. I stop eating by 5.30/6. I go to bed much earlier, I get a much deeper sleep for longer. Ofter 7 to 8hrs. And I was running on 5 for years.

Magnesium glycinate 300mg when I eat my last mouthful. So about 3hrs before bed.

I also take fexofenafine twice a day for allergies so this might also help.

Oh and earplugs during the school holidays when the teens are up much later and making noise.

My sleep is better than it has been since I had children 18yrs ago!

I take two pumps of oestrogel and tablet progesterone and it’s helped with brain fog. That’s it. I still have a desert for a vagina and pee myself at least twice a day. Going back to my gp soon for a discussion and hopefully tweaking.

@Overtheatlantic you need vaginal oestrogen by the sounds of it.

Estriol cream. I apply some most days. Use my fingers inside and out. You need it daily for longer than the first two weeks that it will say on the label.

It's game changing. Nice pink moist labia again. No more weeing at night.

Yes, I’ve wondered about that after reading success stories on MN.

@Overtheatlantic i reckon the NHS could save a fortune in UTI antibiotics by sending women a tube of this on their 40th birthdays.

My GP cycled me through various hydrocortisones for my sore vulva. I just needed double the dose of estriol cream as prescribed by private gynae.

My gyn dr refuses to prescribe anything since I still have my regular periods. I'm 46, exhausted (had iron injection), brainfog, aching joints, waking up several times at night sometimes with sweats, dry all over - this is all new to me- dry scalp, skin, vagina.

But- still have my periods so not allowed anything. Also had a cancer (endocrinian) so not sure I will be allowed any? But just so fucking exhausted all the time. Don't talk to people because I'm too tired. Can hardly force myself to smile. I used to have anxiety but no more- I honestly think my brain is too tired to deal with that because it's too energyconsuming so atleast one positive. Depressed but on ssri since decades. This is something else. Nothing helps: rest/mild exercice/healthy diet (added dark chocolate and almonds). Nothing helps. Sorry I highjacked your thread OP- it just all came Rolling out because I want hrt treatment but won't get it until my periods have stopped🙄

I would have been on the fence about its effectiveness until I ran out of oestrogen recently and was nearly sick with inexplicable anxiety. It was horrible.

progesterone at night knocks me out completely so that’s good. I’m on an oestrogen spray which is great and still have fairly regular periods (at 55!) I also have put on a half stone recently that no amount of restricted eating seems to be shifting so I am making peace with the new heft.

all in all I am a fan of HRT.

To be fair you have to have a blood test before they prescribe testosterone. But otherwise yes.

It’s taken the edge off my morning anxiety. Yes. Also take B12 & magnesium

{mention:the}@the@thebluekoala

@TheBlueKoala that's horrific. Can't you ask your GP? My GP didn't ask about my periods other than to check if they were heavy.

I was sent to GP to ask for vaginal oestrogen by pelvic physio. GP then interrogated me about other symptoms of which there were many and gave me HRT.

And fyi, I was still having monthly bleeds and I was 44.

Blood tests were to see if there was some other reason why I'm so tired, exhausted, all the time.

I'll check the boxes and come back with dosage of pills and patches.

My HRT was prescribed privately and was working perfectly well until the GP cut the dose insisting it was too high. I have struggled for months following that. I then topped up my dose privately but now that the patches are different ( smaller patches adding up to the original dose) I am not getting the same benefit and could cry with frustration.