Estrogel... When will I feel the benefits?

[NickyNora]

Just that really!

2 pumps a day week 3. I feel no difference. If anything more depressed

Please give me some hope!

The rule is it can 3 months. Depends on where you are in your stage of meno and how low your estrogen levels are.

HRT is not a miracle cure alone. Are you doing other things to help like exercise? MIND has some very good stats on how exercise reduces depression .

Is there any fun in your life :) Are you looking after yourself and doing things you enjoy?

Thanks. I'm incredibly boring. Very good diet. Don't drink, don't smoke, no caffeine, processed foods etc. Exercise 5 days out of 7. Supplements.
Do have stress due to DC with SN.

I'm 44. FSH 126, 140, last September.
FSH 20 & 30 in January. 1 period in last 9 months.

No idea where I am in the menopause.

Strongly thinking about using antidepressants as I have been on HRT total 6 months, ( was on Femoston) & really not feeling much better then I was when I started.

You are very young for this :) Average age of meno is 52.

You should consider upping the gel to 3 pumps for a month, then 4 pumps if it's no better. You are supposed to replace what you would normally have. At 44 you should have more estrogen than older women. I am in my 60s and use 2 pumps and have for 10 years. I started HRT almost 10 years later than you and at times went up to 3 pumps for a while as 2 wasn't controlling the flushes.

what type of progestogen are you using?

There is also an argument for using the CCP- Qlaira- in young women like you as it has a higher estrogen content than HRT.

You should only think about ADs a) when you have tried all types and all doses of HRT and b) if you are clinically depressed and have been diagnosed as such.

It's really early days. Using Femoston which is a tablet form, a lot would be lost in your system. So you need to give gel time to work, which means at least 3 months, and perhaps the higher dose- you can use anything from 1 to 4 pumps a day. The idea is to increase it till it works.

Link
menopausematters.co.uk/newsitem.php?recordID=188/Menopausal-depression-may-be-prevented-by-hormone-therapy

Thanks. My GP diagnosed me with depression. She gave me antidepressants at my last appointment.

I'm on Utrogestan for progesterone. So far not to bad. Other as bad side effects as Femoston.

It's all taking so long to sort out... I've young dc & I'm really struggling physically & mentally.

I hate all this so much. I hadn't been near a doctor in years now I feel it's one thing after another.

I'm beginning to think HRT doesn't work for me or maybe my symptoms are caused by my health rather than hormones.

Thanks for the links. I will read them tonight.

I'm sure it's really hard for you.

However, the mind is a very powerful thing. If you keep thinking it won't work, the odds are it won't. Try to be positive and give the gel your best shot. You should certainly try increasing it to 3 pumps asap (it's allowed- it's in the leaflet in the box) and see if that helps.

My GP didn’t like the idea of me increasing my pumps (when Polly had suggested it to me) but did swap me to patches at the higher dose which have been magic. She was working off a flow chart of recommendations, so by no means an expert.

Thanks but I can't have patches as I'm allergic to the adhesive. It's good or pills.

I thought this HRT combination would work as I had read so much positive stuff about Estrogel & Utrogestan.
Hopefully in time, it will kick in.

Just feels very long winded.

My younger dc are forgetting 'the real me'.
All of this is affecting them as I have zero nervy or patience.

Thanks for your responses.
Appreciate them.

good=gel

Dear NickyNora, how are you doing? Are you feeling better now? Sending you lots of hugs

I'm on 4 pumps per day for a few weeks & starting to feel 'human' again Piano007.

Reduced the Utrogestan to every 6 weeks instead of 4 weeks.

Thankyou for asking.

That is really good to hear

nickynora glad you're feeling better, hopefully you can stop the Ad's soon?

I'm also on 4 pumps of gel, well I was until this mth when I ran out & got fed up so I used my last mth of femoston!
It's given me dreadful PMT though, so will go back to the gel.

I'm seeing the menopause clinic next week for a review & hoping they'll suggest less pumps.
How does your 6 week Utrogestan work?

Three months and the 'real me' emerged again :)

I never started the anti depressants as i knew how i felt was a hormone issue.

I think mine is a hormone issue too. So great to hear that you are doing better

Oxfordblue i only take the Utrogestan every 6 weeks.

Hi ladies just wondered if anyone could advise me x
Today I got the oestrodose and utrogestan100 but my doctor never told me how many pumps and how long so basically I don’t no what am doing 🤦🏼‍♀️X

@NickyNora hi how are you feeling ?
I'm like you , 44 , loads of exercise, healthy etc
I have started 2 weeks ago with only EstroGel and I'm feeling really down and suicidal .
Shall I up it to 4 pumps?
And why do you need progesterone?

Hi Everyone
My first time on here.
My hrt patches were changed from Everol 50 to Estroderm 50 due to shortage but 3 weeks in ive had really achy calves which makes me lightheaded.
Ive decided to change to Estrogel. Doctors are so unknowledgable here.
Anyone else had lightheadedness?
Also im getting my mirena replaced in Dec. Do u think the boost will help me or am I doomed?
Im 52. The estrogen has got rid of hot flushes and I sleep well but ive never had these heads.
I sometimes think shall I come off..but then the hot flushes and insomnia will return.
My Fsh was 99 prior to hrt but down to 8 at last reading..b4 the change of patch.

Hello - does anyone take Estrogel without taking the progesterone too - i find the progesterone makes me feel really bloated and depressed but feel fine on the Estrogel - thanks

@Vibratin It's only licensed to use on its own if you have no uterus. All women who have not had a hysterectomy have to use progestins of some sort to prevent hyperplasia (Overgrowth of the lining which can become cancerous long term.)

You can use Utrogestan vaginally - just insert 200mgs high up at night instead of swallowing them. This may stop the side effects.

I’ve just started the estrogel this week, only on one pump but I’m finding it a right faff. Not sure how you manage to run in 4 pumps! Was hoping to for it to be a magic fix but the night sweats have been worse. From above it looks like I need to try it for 3 months but I’m tempted to ask for tabs as it’s such a faff.

@Flashinggreen which bit are you finding hard? I've used it for 12 years and love it. I use 1 pump morning and 1 pump after my bath at bedtime.

I put the gel into the palm of my hand, swipe the other palm across it so have half a measure on each, and then rub gently over either backs of upper arms or inner thighs.

I do this after my morning shower and it's dry while I'm cleaning my teeth or whatever else I'm doing!

It’s the waiting for it to dry, it’s sticky and I think I would prefer to swig back a tablet.