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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask about your experience (good & bad) on HRT?

27 replies

TwoGrubbySlippers · 29/04/2023 23:05

To ask for your experience taking HRT. I've recently been prescribed progesterone cream and DHEA pessaries from a private clinic specialising in menopause and woman's hormone health. I've not started taking them yet. I'm quite anxious about potential side effects - mainly weight gain as I've heard many women complain how they instantly put on weight after starting HRT.

A bit more info

I am 42. Since turning 40 I've noticed the following - none of which I ever considered would be due to peri-menopause until I read a few posts on here from Women who had similar symptoms.

  • intense rage
  • anxiety
  • night sweats (I stink!)
  • dry flakey skin
  • brain fog (I do have ADHD, but it's got worse)
  • shorter periods
  • leaking wee before I get to the toilet
  • vaginal soreness after sex
OP posts:
skippy67 · 29/04/2023 23:10

I'm on Everol Conti patches. I started them in 2020. My symptoms have lessened somewhat, but so far, hrt hasn't been life changing for me. I've booked a docs appointment to discuss trying another combo.

Gladlynot · 29/04/2023 23:20

My peri symptoms were horrendous but I didn’t bother seeing the GP as I was on a waiting list for a hysterectomy so knew I’d be getting HRT.
I hadn’t counted on it taking so long to get my op so I was a total hormonal, anxious, over emotional wreck by the time I had surgery.

HRT has been brilliant for me tbh and I’m actually thinner now than I’ve ever been. I do watch what I eat but HRT has definitely prevented the dreaded middle age spread. Prior to starting I was starting to lay down some fluff at my middle. My moods are better, my anxiety is better, no sweats or hot flushes at all. I’m on Evorel 100 patches, increased from 50 last year. No urinary issues but I do PFE 4 x a day due to having the nhs squeezy ap that reminds me to do them.

Satsumastocking · 29/04/2023 23:26

I think I always had the things on your list!

I started mirena and oestrogel just over a year ago and it's completely changed my life. I had horrendous pms that lasted half of each month from age 14 until I was finally listened to and sent to a gynaecologist then given hrt, at 46.

At first the effects were amazing. Sleeping at last, huge energy, every day feeling like the peak happy ovulation point of my cycle. Now it's averaged out a bit, but it still feels like a miracle.

I have put on weight, though, and it coincided exactly with starting hrt and my lifestyle is more active due to more energy, so I don't believe hrt doesn't affect weight.

Original poster
TwoGrubbySlippers · 29/04/2023 23:32

Thanks for your replies. Do you mind if I ask what you'd age was when you started taking it?

The HRT cream I've been prescribed isn't a particular brand as far as I know. It's from 'The Specialist Pharmacy' which is where all of the prescriptions from the private clinic come from. My prescription receipt says:

Progesterone 35mg per 0.3mL dose cream in HH base

Intrarosa 6.5mg pessary x 28

@skippy67 I do worry I won't be able to tell a difference. My symptoms often aren't consistent. So worried I won't know if it's even working.

@Gladlynot that seems all good news. I'm glad it's working for you.

How did you both identify what type of HRT you needed to go on?

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 29/04/2023 23:41

HRT saved my life, and I'm not being dramatic. I started using it at 41 due to horrific peri-menopausal anxiety. I'm still taking it now at 50 and have no plans to stop.

StillMedusa · 29/04/2023 23:51

I'm on Oestrogel... don't need the progesterone as had a hysterectomy (but have ovaries) I've also had the patches but prefer the gel as the patches left sticky marks that were a pain to remove.

Haven't gained an ounce of weight, but have regained my sanity, can sleep a little better and no longer want to murder my dh just for breathing Grin

Oh and no more sodding hot flushes!

I'm 55 now and staying on it forever if I can!

Blackalice · 29/04/2023 23:52

I'm on Oestrogel and Utrogestan progesterone tablets. I started when I was 46, just over a year ago. Amazing stuff in my opinion! Has stopped my awful low moods, and have not put weight on.

DramaAlpaca · 30/04/2023 00:05

I was a late starter on HRT, almost a year ago at 58. I'm on oestrogel and daily progesterone as I hadn't had a period for a few years so am officially postmenopausal.

I'd been determined to get through it all without HRT and just took supplements from when I started perimenopause at 44, plus I also had a Mirena coil. That took care of the hot flushes, but it was the permanently aching joints, sleep difficulties and vaginal atrophy even with topical oestrogen that made me think about trying HRT.

It's been like a miracle. I feel like I did in my early 40s before perimenopause started, I don't ache all the time, I sleep well, I don't need topical oestrogen and the brain fog that had started to disappear has now gone. I haven't gained weight, either.

oranga · 30/04/2023 00:36

I started Everol Sequi patches (2 weeks 50/2weeks conti) about four weeks ago and it's been life changing. Sleeping better, less anxiety, mood swings all lessened. Haven't noticed any weight gain but I'm on a mission to lose weight and exercise more since the start of the year so trying to make good choices in that respect. I'm 47 and still having periods.

MyBloodyMaryneedsmoreTabasco · 30/04/2023 01:00

I didn't start HRT when I went into perimenopause, but following my total hysterectomy the consultant recommended I use it until I was 50. I started on one pump of oestrogel, but was struggling with symptoms so went up to 2, then 4. At that point, my mh went through the floor so I stopped using it altogether. That was 6 months ago. I'd rather take my chances without it, than try it again.

LaviniasBigBloomers · 30/04/2023 01:04

I have the mirena coil, estroderm patches (I think, the pharmacy keeps changing the brand) and topical estrogen for dryness.

I have put on weight, I am one of those people who put on weight whenever I go onto anything hormonal. But the impact on all my other symptoms has been profound and potentially life-saving. I would take the weight gain over the suicidal thoughts any day.

Domino20 · 30/04/2023 01:04

I'm 52 and about 4 months ago I was put onto the patches. I'm unsure why, but the GP left me suffering for ages with some really extreme symptoms. I've done CBT for anger and a parenting class (so the rage has been well documented and prolonged). Had night sweats, no periods, physical pains and terrible sleep, I'd been reporting these symptoms for years. Finally got the patches and the night sweats went almost instantly. I really had trouble discerning if there was any other benefits and at the 3 month review I said I was quite disappointed as obviously heard that some women feel like it's a miracle drug. We decided to continue anyway as just losing the sweats is still an improvement. Unfortunately, the patches were then completely unobtainable and within about 10 days I was into a very extreme mental health crisis. Crying constantly with awful violent intrusive thoughts, almost paralysed with sorrow interspersed with utterly outrageous bouts of rage towards my teenage son. My Mum has had to come and stay as I couldn't function. It wasn't until this point that I could really see how much the patches had helped. I've been on some tablets for about 10 days now and evening out a little but there not as good as the patches.
Anyway, do try it OP, you can easily stop but I doubt if you'll want to.

Domino20 · 30/04/2023 01:06

they're not as good
Crying hard so excuse typos please.

Traverser · 30/04/2023 02:12

I have been on HRT since about 2019, I am 54 so about 4 years and I love it. I began after I went through chemotherapy and I was obviously already peri menopausal. I was waking at night a lot and then getting insomnia, my energy was low, I had hot flushes that were driving me crazy and I did not not feel like myself. I tried something first (maybe a pill) and after about 10 days I thought I was losing my mind and I was almost suicidal. I went back to my obgyn (I am in the USA). After discussion she put me on the Estradiol weekly patch and a daily 200 MG capsule of progesterone.

It has been fantastic, I feel as if I am in my 30s, energetic, stable, no mood swings or cycles and no hot flashes or any problems sleeping. My libido has also dramatically increased. I mean we still had sex a couple of times a week, but now I often like to have sex every day. DH is delighted. I want to stay on it as long as possible. I think that’s until about 60, but here in the states they are doing a lot of studies and it may be safe to continue as long as you started young i.e. you didn’t have a break of a few years after menopause, because then your natural hormones have decreased for enough time where it can be dangerous to your health to crank them back up.

There are also doctors that specialize in replacing your hormones naturally without medications here. I am having such great results I don’t want to change a thing but may try that if I am forced to come off HRT at some point.

Traverser · 30/04/2023 02:20

I forgot to mention I was not on any form of birth control until I was about 40 when I got severe anemia after a miscarriage. The dr wanted me on the pill as she was very worried about the amount of blood loss and wanted me to miss my next period as I started taking iron supplements etc. to help the anemia. That is when I discovered the pill had an incredibly positive affect on my mood and I was emotionally stable all month instead of often almost having a mental health crisis right before my period started every month. So with the peri menopause/menopause I was worried for the state of my mental health with hormone fluctuations. So I would say that was always my priority, stable mood and healthy, calm mental health. For me it has worked, I know that isn’t the same for every woman. Just like the pill had a negative affect on some women’s mental health.

Traverser · 30/04/2023 02:24

BTW I gained weight but that was recovering from cancer and being very sedentary. I decided to start focusing on weight and fitness in early March and have already lost 13lbs. For me, because my energy levels have increased, I want to do MORE exercise. I am hoping I will lose the rest this year. I really don’t think I gained due to HRT. I still have a nice figure, I just want to lose the visceral fat (around the organs) as I know that is dangerous as you age.

Sumthingsweet · 12/12/2024 17:13

I need your help all the symptoms you described the doctors suggested hrt

Sumthingsweet · 12/12/2024 17:13

Been at doctors crying hate everyone

catgirl1976 · 12/12/2024 17:14

Been a godsend for DSIS

i tried it felt no benefits and got two breast lumps (both benign thankfully) in quick succession. May not have been linked but I knocked it on the head. DSIS swears by it and no ill effects

aSpanielintheworks · 12/12/2024 17:20

Saved my life too.
I had Anxiety, my hair fell out, no libido, vaginal dryness, hot flushes, cold sweats, no energy' waking up at 2am & not being able to get back to sleep, absolutely awful
Been on HRT for 3 years now and get no symptoms whatsoever.

ffsgloria · 12/12/2024 17:32

I had indescribable rage, awful heavy periods coming closer and closer together, night sweats, aching joints, difficulty finding words, was tearful and anxious. Have been on HRT for 18 months and everything has levelled out.

something2say · 12/12/2024 17:38

I just turned 50. Started peri at 45 or so. Took support,lements for better sleep and just generally. Also - crucially - immediately started 16.8 fasting most days and no weight gain, in fact lost a stone and half.

Did fine until this year, when anxiety about a sudden car crash got a bit ridiculous. Started normal low dose HRT, patches and tablets, and the anxiety has gone. Feel in good shape but the peri years taught me that I have to work harder now, so I do.

Good luck! Sort out rest, annoyances and diet.

MatildaTheCat · 12/12/2024 17:47

I’m on the full Monty if HRT: Mirena, oestrogen, vaginal oestrogen and testosterone gel. Lots of positives and no negatives I can think of. I’m the same weight as 40 years ago which is bang on the middle of ‘normal’.

It hasn’t returned me to my younger self but I would fight tooth and nail to stay on it. Possibly forever.

Barney16 · 12/12/2024 17:54

I have taken HRT for six years and it literally changed my life. I got nowhere with my GP so went private. I sobbed when the doctor handed me the prescription. I use patches and tablets. Before HRT I had night sweats, itchy skin, rages, and I was just weary all the time. My hair thinned and I had terrible skin. GP gave me antidepressants and sent me for blood tests, not to measure hormone levels but anemia. I was anaemic so then had some invasive tests for cancer. All the way through my requests for HRT were refused because I wasn't old enough, I was over fifty, and my last period was less than two years prior. It was horrific. HRT reversed every single symptom. I'm not sure I'm quite over my feelings of complete dislike for that GP. I changed doctors.

Sumthingsweet · 16/12/2024 18:41

I’m 46 and the doctor offered it up straight away I’m going to try natural excersise diet no weight gain just under 8 st but an only 5 ft . The periods are crazy this time lasted 20 days the rage I can totally relate to it’s like your body telling you it’s over time to shut down you can’t have babies - officially old . Shouldn’t catastrophise I know …if I get desperate will go on it for fam sake . Every little things gets to me I just want the energy I had before . Watched Davina docu - the way the male doctor stared as me as I cried like a baby lol