Any recommendations for meno consultant Cardiff or Bristol?

[MelindaGordon]

I’ve got to grips with some of the side effects of HRT and those that are menopause related however it feels a little like a sledgehammer to crack a nut scenario and I am having issues with severe water retention which is in turn causing carpal tunnel syndrome and my libido hasn’t returned. As the libido issue was addressed when I was mistakenly prescribed tibilone early on (I have a womb and am 46 so need oestrogen) I know it is probably hormonal. GP support has been just ok and I feel they are limited in the advice they can give. In fact today, the GP said that a private consultation with a specialist is really what I need but couldn’t recommend how to find one other than google. I have found this section really helpful and have seen a few names crop up but all seem to be London based and I’m a few hours away from there so wondering if anyone knows of specialists with clinics near Bristol?

I can't help with drs in that area (look at your local private hospital websites) but if you only need estrogen the world's your oyster! I feel 100% fantastic on just the estrogen part of HRT .

How did you feel on it? What are you on now? Nothing after Tibolone?

I really recommend Oestrogel. From your GP. start with 1 pump a day and build up to 2 or 3 until you feel good.

Easy, effective, works.

Sorry I misread. You said you have a womb so need estrogen; think you mean you have a womb so need progesterone.

Water retention is not part of peri meno (are you peri or post meno?) unless it's part of PMS and you are skipping cycles.

Your GP can give you what you need really - do some reading around, ask on forums etc.

A lot depends on what stage of meno you are at and your symptoms.

Yes Polly- meant estrogen.

I’m perimenopausal in theory though haven’t had a period in two years. I’ve read loads and know much more than I did when first confirmed however the water retention is a new thing and definitely only happens on the estrogen cycle - afterwards I have wrinkled fingers and can fit my watch on its usual strap. It’s not bloating but proper water retention like I experienced in pregnancy.

Overall I just feel there is no finesse to the approach and feel like I have to get on with it and given that I am expecting to be on hrt for a long time, I asked for a referral to a menopause consultant to be told there isn’t one. I’ve also had slow healing fractures and breaks and am concerned about bone density so getting calcium levels checked. I’d just like to see SOMEONE with more specialist knowledge....

The fact you have a womb doesn't mean you need estrogen- think you are confusing something here. ALL HRT is estrogen (even for women without a womb) and for women who have had a hysterectomy, they only need estrogen. (Progesterone is needed too for women with a womb.)

You have not had a period for 2 years. That means you are post menopause. Post menopause is 1 year minimum without a period.

You are not ovulating. You can't ovulate and not have a period.

If you are having lots of fractures - what has happened?- you could have osteoporosis because you have had what is classed as an early menopause (before 45.) You don't need your calcium levels checked, you need a DEXA (bone density scan.) You need to insist your GP refers you for this in view of the fractures you have had already.

This site and these links may help you.

menopausematters.co.uk/menopause.php
menopausematters.co.uk/pm-definition.php

menopausematters.co.uk/oestrogens.php

Just wanted to add (& agree with Polly) ref the bone scan NOT calcium levels. Surprising calcium doesn't make strong bones, you need other minerals - vit D, boron, magnesium to get the calcium in your bones.
There should be no quibble about the Dex scab, I had one which confirmed oesteopenia.
I'm now on femoston 2/10mg with a bleed which seems to arrive day 16/17 but only on mth 2.
I've got a referral to the menopause clinic in London, am hoping for testosterone.