HRT unbearable period pain, normal?

[Luckyaide]

I'm 42 and periods stopped for a number of months. After pregnancy tests (oh how I laughed) 2 separate blood tests GP said that my hormones were at levels that should be expected in some one 10 years older. She gave me lots of literature about impact of an early menopause, heart, bone problems etc and given family history of osteoporosis I should strongly consider hrt. So I started on ELLESTE-DUET 1mg. This is the 4th month and period pains are horrific, not had them this bad since I was a young teen, dilibitating, vomit inducing curl up in a ball type thing. I can't go on like this. Is this normal, will it pass? Any advice gratefully received.

Maybe you would get on better with the Mirena coil and a separate estrogen?

Norithisterone is very effective at reducing endometrium depth Elleste is usually the one they try you with first so don't be afraid to go back and ask for another sort.

You could go back and ask to try Femoston 1/10 which is the same amount of oestrogen but with dydrogesterone which is a bit kinder.

I had similar- it is like having your uterus wrung out. I did not last through the 3rd month though.

If you are not averse to IUCD, mirena with oestrogen is a really good option like Polly says. Your periods should gradually stop (or straight away if you are lucky) and it gives you contraception too which might be more of an issue when you are just a young thing of 42

Thank you. Sorry that others have experienced this but glad to know I'm not alone ☺️

I had the same with Norethisterone though I was taking it as a separate tablet, with estrogel. I had very bad pain for 5 years some 'periods' worse than others, but thankfully each time it lasted only for half a day (but I always had to clear my diary and make sure it was a day I'd be at home.)
I swapped to Utrogestan which is better though I'm still not 100% pain free at the start of the bleed.

Thanks for your help, much appreciated

Similar experience. My GP gave limited information. I have never had bad period pains so didn't know what was wrong with me.

Personally. I was totally unprepared for the side affects of HRT.

Hope things improve for you.

Hi I’ve just finished first month out of three of Elleste Duet tablets and have spent a whole day in bed with hot water bottle because of excruciating period pains :-( I haven’t had a period for about 8 months but because of hot flushes and night sweats doctor put me on this tablet. I think I would prefer hot sweats to this!!! I’m 45 and desperately want to feel normal again! Not sure if I should go to docs or try and see these tablets out, just scared if i’m Going to feel like this end of next tablet packet. Advice greatly welcomed!

I would keep a diary. Take ibuprofen as soon as you start feeling pain and do not wait for it to get bad. You can get ibuprofen with codeine in it which is very good at night time but causes constipation so might not help in other ways.
Then off to the go with your diary and ask for a different one.

My periods just stopped in my early 30 S I'm now 49 and been given elleste duet 2mg I'm now weeing constantly and experiencing periods pains only on day 5 is it normal

Earliest- it's sometimes best to start with a sequential sort- the type that will give you a bleed each month ( like the Pill does) because by taking the combined sort you don't know what's what- ie is it too high a dose straight away ( 2mgs), is it the type of progestogen, ( possibly) .

If you use sequential you take estrogen all month then progestogen for 12-14 days. Maybe swap to that type and see how you go?

You are giving your body a big dose of 2 hormones right off when you've not had any for years.

Out of interest why were you started on HRT so long after your premature menopause?

Thanks for the info... I have been having hot sweats for last 6 months and my gp thought hrt may help me.. So unsure if it's the right thing

Oh my goodness just started HRT a few weeks ago and having my first period in a year, the pain is excruciating and very heavy. I don’t think I have ever experienced this level of period pain before. I started the HRT because of the hot flushes but seem to think they are the better option. Does it get better or should I stop the HRT? Any advice greatly appreciated

Hi All,
totally new to this site but im SO pleased ive found it the information has helped me feel less alone
I started with the peri menopause at 42 ( similar age as my mam and sisters) i reached 8 months without a period then it returned i was gutted!
Suffered for 3 years with hot sweats lack of sleep fog brain ect like the majority when i decided enogh was enough
Talking to my doctor going on HRT elleste mg1 was offered, with ample information of why this would be better for me
I accepted, I'd wished id started earlier TBH i felt human again
( Hot sweats sleep returned ect I,d been on the pill for years with no sexual intrest its funny how the pill masked alot as I'd found my libido again only problem is my husbands lost his lol)
My concern now after 18 months is the Anxiety i feel the feeling of " struggle to enjoy much when i should be i carnt really explain a heaviness" theres nothing in my life thats happening around me to feel this way so thats why im concerned? Has anyone started to feel symptoms after 18 months when they wernt there before? Is it time to try another brand? My periods are also horrendously painfull my legs can feel so heavy and tired until the blood loss happens its like waiting for a plug to be pulled but i persevere i just dred taking them last 5 green tablets Thanx for reading this i wish you all well

@NOAH2
My concern now after 18 months is the Anxiety i feel the feeling of " struggle to enjoy much when i should be i carnt really explain a heaviness" theres nothing in my life thats happening around me to feel this way so thats why im concerned? Has anyone started to feel symptoms after 18 months when they wernt there before? Is it time to try another brand? My periods are also horrendously painfull my legs can feel so heavy and tired until the blood loss happens its like waiting for a plug to be pulled but i persevere

Might help you if you posted this under a new heading as it's more than just painful bleeds but...

You might get on better with Femoston. it's the type of progestogen that affects mood ( the 'green' tabs in your case.) Femoston has a type that is closer to what we have naturally.
You might also need a larger dose of estrogen as you are still young. 1mg is quite low.

Failing that, you could use something like estrogen gel (you can adjust the amount yourself till it feels better) and Utrogestan as the progesterone.

Painful bleeds- treat these like a period. I get these too. Medical advice is you take Ibuprofen for 3 days before the bleed is due. (Unless you can't take it for any reason.) So take the max you can- think that's 200mgs x3 a day, for 3 days. This helps stop the chemicals in our bodies that cause the pain.

Thanks very much for the reply Jinglinghellsbells I do waffle on its, the hairdresser in me lol Ive have an appointment on Friday x

Omg i had exactly the same. My periods stopped at 47 and had to endure terrible hot flushes. Dr prescribed Elleste which stopped the flushes immediately which was a huge relief. The only downside is this terrible pain when i get my period. It’s Not every month. Ive had it about three times. The first time was so bad my husband called an ambulance as he thought i had kidney stones! It was worse than labour! The second time i managed to take some nurofen in time but yesterday I woke up with it and spent half an hour on the floor trying not to be sick. I will talk to the dr but i think of i can get some nurofen in me quickly enough it’s usually ok.

Hya Rhondafletcher68
I'm now on Femoston 2 mg (because Elleste 2 mg was no longer available) im great throughout the month until those last 2 tablets I suffer excruciating pain, last weekend was the worst i can only say it was like going through labour contraction like pain in my left side with a real heaviness to my left leg i was limping 😔 It only lasts one day but boy its so painfull i was unable to take nurofen with throwing up ive another appointment to see my doctor next week i just need reassurance nothing else is going on (fibroids) ooooo to be a women we get a raw deal but to know were not alone helps ☺ take care x

I had terrible symptoms of menopause , went on femoston 1/10 didn't come on my period the first month but then the 2 ND and 3rd I did and now after 3 months not coming on but in terrible pain about 2 weeks out of every month. I was on the pill for years because of terrible period pains. Well miffed booow and am Abit scared to go back to the doctors and try another one as I don't feel that am going crazy anymore, am sleeping , no hot flushes. From the last posts though your in more than terrible pain. I cope with mine with 3 pain killers and only use feminax pain killer as this one works, not sure whether to persevere decisions decisions.

Hi everyone,
Just joined today after reading so many interesting comments when I was looking for info earlier on my tablet this website kept popping up ....

I am 44 been having HRT for 2 years now started in Femoston 1/10 which made my heart palpitations and anxiety better ( never suffered with it before being diagnosed as peri menopausal) but still wasn’t great so doctor increased me to Femoston 2/10 and I feel fab ...better than I have for ages very calm, happy, chilled don’t sleep but hey ho... but now my periods are so painful to the point I have to take ibuprofen and paracetamol every 4 hours non stop for 5 days...it’s agony, hot water bottle, legs like lead, back ache omg they are horrible and my husband nearly called an ambulance one night !
I don’t remember them being this bad On the 1/10 !
Anyway ....
Doctor has suggested I have the marina coil fitted to stop periods ..anyone else changed from Femoston to marina coil ?? I’m really worried as I feel fab on the tablets ( can’t go back to the state I was two years ago )
but I also can’t carry on with the period pain .... I have tried other meds from doctors to help with pain
(something- acids) but didn’t help at all ...just had to eat at silly times to line my stomach so I could take it ....

Any advice please as I’m really worried ...

Thank you

I agree you ought to consider the Mirena coil.

I know period pain can be bad on HRT. I used to get it on the first day and had to blank out my diary around the days I expected a bleed. I still keep a couple of days free around that time.

For me, it's helped changing to a different progesterone (compared to the one you use.) I use Utrogestan but the type you use with Femoston is nearly as good and I doubt you'd see much difference swapping.

Try the coil- give it 3 months to see if it helps.

Hello,
I’m 50 now and I’ve suffered with lots of peri menopausal symptoms for the past 3-4 years, I started taking femoston 1/10 3 months ago and have been suffering with chronic period pains for 5-6 days every month. I contacted my doctor and explained my symptoms so she upped my dose to femoston 2/10 which I’ve been taking for 6 days but this Friday just gone my pains were so terrible I had to go to A&E, after 7 hours wait an examination/ blood and urine test - nothing abnormal found, I was just sent home. Like others I have to take ibuprofen & paracetamols every 4 hours, constant hot water bottles for almost two weeks a month sometimes longer. Any advice out there? Should I stop the HRT? Can’t go on like this….

@Langfora

Hello, I’m 50 now and I’ve suffered with lots of peri menopausal symptoms for the past 3-4 years, I started taking femoston 1/10 3 months ago and have been suffering with chronic period pains for 5-6 days every month. I contacted my doctor and explained my symptoms so she upped my dose to femoston 2/10 which I’ve been taking for 6 days but this Friday just gone my pains were so terrible I had to go to A&E, after 7 hours wait an examination/ blood and urine test - nothing abnormal found, I was just sent home. Like others I have to take ibuprofen & paracetamols every 4 hours, constant hot water bottles for almost two weeks a month sometimes longer. Any advice out there? Should I stop the HRT? Can’t go on like this….

You may be better off starting your own thread. But as per the initial reponses to this one, there are other HRT medications/types out there which could suit you better. I would seriously recommend going back to your GP and asking to try something else - maybe patch plus Utrogestan or Gel plus Utrogestan. Transdermal oestrogen is better for you (doesn't go through liver) and utrogestan is body-identical progesterone - so probably kinder on your body. If your GP doesn't agree to the change book an appointment with another GP in your practice. Also check out Dr Louise Newsons website (Menopause Doctor) she is one of the best experts in the countyr and has advice on the different options for HRT prescriptions