On HRT but feel worse while bleeding? Confused?

[TheGingerTree]

Only been taking HRT (patch and separate Utrogestan for 12 days) for nearly 3 weeks. Because I started HRT mid cycle I have already finished my 12 days of Utro last week and my withdrawl bleed started on Saturday.

I actually felt fine while taking the Utro and took my last tablet a week ago. But since my bleed started on Saturday I have felt jittery, anxious and with low mood again.

Also had bad insomnia on Sunday night, so felt very shaky and drained yesterday.

Feeling better today, but mood still low and can feel the anxiety hovering at the back of my mind.

Is this just because I am having my 'period' now? I certainly used to feel just like this when I had my period before I started on HRT. Can I look forward to my mood improving again once my bleed is over?

Feel confused as I was led to believe that the Utrogestan would probably give me PMS symptoms, whereas when I was just on the oestrogen patch I would feel considerably better and brighter.

But that doesn't seem to be happening with me?

I think you have to accept some hormonal ups and downs with HRT. The Utro ought to be out of your system now. Have you changed your patch correctly so you are having a constant supply of oestrogen?

HRT will help you but if you have a history at all of mood swings and anxiety then it's not necessarily going to eradicate all of those instantly- not in 3 weeks.

Hi pinkfrocks was hoping you'd come along.

I think I'm changing my patch correctly? I am very careful to not touch the sticky side at all, and it sticks well (using Estradot 25mg).

The only thing I have done differently for the last week is to wear the patch on my bum rather than my abdomen. But this shouldn't make a difference, should it?

I have only suffered with mood swings/anxiety since starting with peri symptoms 16 months ago. he only other time I have ever suffered with such extreme anxiety was when I had PND about 15 years ago.

But I suppose 3 weeks is very early still?

One thing I have noticed this month since being on HRT is that my boobs were tender before my bleed and seem slightly swollen. They're still like it today (ouch) and I'm on day 4 of my withdrawl bleed.

I always used to suffer with breast tenderness and swelling back in the good old days of 'normal' periods. But since my peri symptoms started 16 months ago, and my periods got much lighter I have had no breast tenderness at all, and no swelling when my period was due.

Does this mean that I didn't have enough oestrogen for the last 16 months? And now I'm on HRT I have more oestrogen again hence the breast tenderness and boob swelling?

Would love to know.

You are on a very low dose- 25mg patch is the same I think as 1mg oestrogen or maybe slightly less.

Have you thought about switching to a higher dose- 37mg- or even to gel so you can increase the dose yourself until you get the best level?

I'd try not to get so bogged down with monitoring every mood swing and sleep pattern because all this intense focus on it all will increase anxiety and insomnia. You need to try to step back a bit, give it 3 months and try not to stress about it all as much. Easier said than done I know but it does sound as if you are making your symptoms worse by focusing so much on them on a daily basis.