Out of breath due to HRT?

[Katsite]

I started to take extremely low doses of hrt (progesterone and estradiol) almost a year ago. I get out of breath extremely quickly when I ride my bike. Is that because I

1. am a year older
2. am fatter because of the hormones (about 4kg) or
3. is it a side effect of the therapy?

I am just wondering if I need to see GP if it is 3. Anybody any similar experience?

More likely you are unfit and it's the 10lbs or so of extra weight. Nothing to do with HRT!

I’d go to the GP to be on the safe side

I have continued with the same amount of exercise polly so being unfitter could only be due to extra weight. It didn’t seem enough to be so out of breath.

Being out of breath when exercising is either due to something like asthma (dr would check peak flow) or heart failure, chest infections, or being unfit. None of these are affected by HRT. TBH If I put on 10 lbs I'd feel very unfit. I can feel the difference even with 3-4 lbs when I do my hill walking.

That’ll be it. I’ve never experienced such weight gain in such a short period.

And get checked for anemia, can cause breathlessness.

And yet... here's an article explaining that breathlessness can be caused by too low or too high oestrogen:
menopausematterstoday.com/menopause-can-take-your-breath-away/

Thanks all. I might have it checked next time I go.

AuntyElle Did you read that link? It's all about asthma. It's about low estrogen affecting asthma- which is an allergy- and all allergies can be affected by hormones.

The article is not about breathlessness as such or linked to HRT.

I was breathless because of bleeding pretty constantly and thought it was normal. Couldn't walk up the stairs.

That's a very heated response, PollyPerky. And you are making quite a few assumptions on this thread.

Really aunty? Not heated whatsoever. The link is about asthma. I mentioned asthma in my first reply, I thought your post was telling the OP that HRT (or too much / too little estrogen) was the cause of her breathlessness and you were trying to prove that with the link, which would be worrying for women on HRT if they thought it caused breathlessness.

Hello, I too am suffering with breathlessness after starting with estradiol and progesterone. Are you all better now or did you find another cause. I am booked in for an x ray in a weeks time.

I'm so happy I found this site. I started on estrogen and progesterone about six weeks ago and have been struggling with pretty severe dyspnea. It's not just with exercising, it's with minor activity and I constantly feel like I can't get a deep breath. I am older (66) and was put on the hormones for painful sex, vaginal atrophy, urinary incontinence and insomnia. It's helped all those things but this breathing thing if bad. Maybe I'll phone the doc and see about decreasing the estrogen dose. Thank you all! So glad to know I'm not alone.

Hi. Been on elleste duet 2mg for only one week but feel awful. My legs are so achy and I am experiencing being out of breath (very breathless) So much more than before I started the pills. Also feeling quite sick and exhausted.. did have these symptoms before but in that one week since being on the pills symptoms all feel 10 time's worse. Anyone else feel like this after only a week or so.. Am very tempted to stop. Advise please

I have been breathless in the past but I wasn’t on HRT. I hadn’t put on weight and I was fit. I went for a breath test at docs and after a referral to specialist. Said I was allergic to household dust and cats but I’ve lived with both all my life so why now? They couldn’t work it out. I’m convinced it was just another symptom to add to my tally of crap. I improved and have felt mostly ok breath wise since.

I’ve had the same experience. It feels like I have got to keep taking deep breaths or sitting up. Like my chest feels heavy. It only started after I started taking the HRT. I thought it was psychological.

Yes breathlessness is a recognised side effect of HRT and one that is supposed to trigger you coming off it immediately. Surprised this has not been recommended in your case. patient.info/medicine/oestrogen-hrt-estradiol-conjugated-oestrogens

Just wondering if you have had covid OP? I know a lot of friends who have struggled with breathlessness for a long time post covid.

Hi Rach04, I am aware that your message was from a year ago but wondered if you found an answer to your breathlessness or if you changed hrt or stopped altogether. I have found the same symptoms and am having my monthly review next week. I have also had nausea, stomach cramps, period pains, breast tenderness and feel very tired. However, it has been amazing for my brain fog so dont want to give up

There is definitely a link between HRT and breathlessness, I have been on and off HRT and as soon as I'm taking it I get breathless and dizzy, as soon as I stop taking it I am ok again. I was on the patches then went on the estrogen gel and progesterone tablet and the progesterone made me dizzy, which I think is also the cause for the breathlessness. A study needs to be done because it is a definite side effect.

Of course you want to rule out other causes of the breathlessness, but progesterone can cause your respiratory center in your brain to be more sensitive to carbon dioxide, which makes you ventilate more and feel breathless. Wondering if any of you had a resolution of this? I am having the same thing.

I was still struggling with breathlessness and aching tendons/muscles. I increased my oestrogen a few months ago and the breathing became worse. I decided to stop my patches on Monday this week and have been bleeding since. It’s almost stopped now though. I think my breathing is a little better but I’m feeling really weird with headache and dizziness. It’s early days and probably takes weeks to clear the system. I’ve been waiting months to see my GP who is the menopause specialist at the practice. Appointment now in May.

I'm sorry. That sounds like progesterone withdrawal. Can cause headaches and of course bleeding. You were on this for years? Were you aways short of breath? That sounds miserable. I'm stopping mine for a few days. I was on the estrogen and PG for hot flashes, insomnia and headaches. Worked great until this started. May end up getting hysterectomy. If you are just on it for lady parts you can use topical estrogen vaginally without progesterone. Only need progesterone if you have uterus.

Did you get better once you went off the Hrt? I started on the patch & had problems with breathlessness & coughing when I’d try to take a deep breath within a couple weeks. X-rays showed nothing. Assuming it was an allergic reaction to the adhesive, I switched to the gel a couple weeks later. After I use, the breathing issues came back. Trying to figure out what to do.