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Menopause

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Original poster

coil and gel

37 replies

holidayplanner · 05/07/2018 22:25

What do you think of the coil and gel combo?

I'm 2 year post period pand went to get HRT advice from doctor, who is a women health specialist

This is what he's recommended. I'm a bit scared of the coil.
he said it was low risk.

He also said I could try the oestrogen alone for three months to see if I liked HRT and if I did I could have the coil fitted.
he said three months of oestrogen wouldn't harm me.

What do you think?

OP posts:
chocatoo · 05/07/2018 22:27

Think I might be in similar position to you but have had Mirena fitted (last week) and am waiting for oestrogen...waiting to read responses with interest. Suspect am a bit older than you (late 50's)

Helloflamingogo · 05/07/2018 22:30

I wouldn’t want oestrogen on it’s own for any length of time.

I have the mirena, it’s great as stopped all bleeding for 9 months but I’ve started bleeding again as it keeps the lining so thin. I’m not allowed oestrogen at all and they’re wary about any hormones because of history of PEs. So mirena is very localised which makes it ideal.

I had mine put in under a general. It wasn’t pain free after but I’m still getting on quite well with it. Not sure if that helps any!

Helloflamingogo · 05/07/2018 22:31

*im 30 - menopausal (thanks cancer)

What scares you about the coil?

Helloflamingogo · 05/07/2018 22:32

Urgh sorry I’m all over the place. In normal circumstances they put you on a short course of oestrogen if you bleed Randomly abd that’s meant to sort it out but iAny an option for me.

Original poster
holidayplanner · 05/07/2018 22:43

So: I"m two years post menopausal.
I didn't know coils were that hard to put in!!!!! How do you get them out?
He was just suggesting if I wanted gel then the coil would mean I wouldn't have a bleed and apparently its a safer way of delivering the progesterone.
but I was surprised when he said I could have oestrogen by itself for three months to try HRT out. he said it wouldn't harm.

OP posts:
Helloflamingogo · 05/07/2018 22:57

Oh no they’re not, I’ve not had any kids and had a biopsy at the same time so the gyn was being kind.

Yeah, that’s my understanding of the coil too. I’m confused by the oestrogen though, what’s the point in 3 months if you can’t havr it indefinitely?

Original poster
holidayplanner · 05/07/2018 23:12

sorry. I'm so confused these days!

The doctor is recommending the coil and oestrogen gel.

but rather than start me off on the coil and oestrogen gel he suggested I try the gel WITHOUT the progesterone for three months to see if I like HRT and if I do THEN I get the coil fitted (and continue with the oestrogen).

I'm concerned as I thought oestrogen was dangerous for women who have a uterus.

OP posts:
Helloflamingogo · 05/07/2018 23:24

Yeah that was my understanding too.

Can he not start you on something combined so you’re not taking just the oestrogen?

MsHomeSlice · 05/07/2018 23:28

each time I have been I've definitely been given the impression that oestrogen alone was Not A Good Idea.

I have the mirena and vagifem pessaries for localised use, which seems to be working. Although I am going to do some reading about extra oestrogen, patches or gel just to see what that might do....I have terrible aching bones!

chocatoo · 06/07/2018 00:32

I feel like I’ve found my tribe!!

QueenoftheNights · 06/07/2018 06:57

It's actually a good idea!

It's fine to try estrogen on its own for 3 months. You wouldn't want to do it indefinitely of course, but 3 months is fine. Your dr isn't suggesting that.

Reasons are:

If you have the Mirena fitted at 3 months, it will thin the lining anyway (it's actually the treatment for a thickened lining- hyperplasia.)

There used to be a tablet form of HRT called Tridestra which was a 3-month cycle.

Using estrogen only will allow you to see which dose suits you without the Mirena muddying the waters ( it's always harder with conti HRT to know which of 2 hormones is causing side effects, so starting with only one avoids this.)

I used long cycle HRT for 5 years which was estrogen only for 10 weeks then a course of Norethisterone. I've now reduced this to a 6-8 week estrogen-only cycle (for several years) under my dr's supervision (and have scans to check all is ok- this is privately.)

Helloflamingogo · 06/07/2018 19:27

That’s really interesting Queen, I’ve learned something new 😊

QueenoftheNights · 06/07/2018 20:12

I'm confused by your posts HelloFlamingogo

Menopausal at 30? (Chemo or surgery?)

So you are not having estrogen at all - or are you?
You must have some ovarian activity because you say you are bleeding even with the Mirena.
Transdermal estrogen does not cause blood clots (PE- pulmonary embolism?)

What are they doing about your risks of osteoporosis if you have no estrogen naturally?

Helloflamingogo · 06/07/2018 21:21

High dose chemo, I only have one ovary post surgery for ovarian cancer.

My estrogen is very low which is causing hot flushes - I was told the bleeding is because the mirena is causing very thin lining which is coming away. But then I was given it to stop the constant bleeding so IDK.

My gyn is not happy at me having either hormone, in the past year or so there has been evidence that it may be the progesterone which causes the blood clots. Because I’ve had 2 they won’t let me have any oestrogen and only localised progesterone.

It’s complicated, in effect I’ve been through the menopause then came back out of it (yup I didn’t know that could happen either) but my oestrogen is constantly dipping.

My bones are fine, had a dexa at the beginning of the year which showed that any osteopenia I had has now reversed. So I’m on calcium and vitamin D and drink a hell of a lot of milk! They’ll revisit the dexa in 5 years but are not concerned. As far as the gyn (he’s an early menopause specialist, I absolutely trust his judgement) is concerned, mirena is my only option as some form of hrt/contraception (as he’s at pains to tell me constantly, I may be infertile but it would just be my luck is get pregnant unintentionally).

Original poster
holidayplanner · 06/07/2018 22:36

QueenoftheNights Fri 06-Jul-18 06:57:20

May I ask if this is expensive?

OP posts:
Original poster
holidayplanner · 06/07/2018 22:36

The check ups and what have you?

OP posts:
QueenoftheNights · 06/07/2018 22:45

scans are not mandatory for this regime. I know a few women like me who pay for scans for peace of mind. an ultrasound scan (TVS) ranges from around £100 to £350 depending who does it, where it's done and the location. Obviously somewhere like central London and with a highly qualified radiologist is more than a high st scanning service (mainly for pregnant women.)

QueenoftheNights · 06/07/2018 22:48

As far as the gyn (he’s an early menopause specialist, I absolutely trust his judgement)

I'm puzzled as to why the Mirena is considered as a form of HRt because without estrogen, it's not. from what you say,it's causing endometrial atrophy- hence your bleeding. I can't see the point of it other than as birth control.

Helloflamingogo · 06/07/2018 22:56

A quick google shows that progesterone only hrt is used, although not so often as combined. As I have explained, I have a fairly complex medical history and a consultant I trust. I was bleeding constantly before it was put in and this rectified it for a spell.

Anyway, this is irrelevant to the OPs situation.

QueenoftheNights · 07/07/2018 06:32

A quick google shows that progesterone only hrt is used, although not so often as combined. Depends if you mean mainstream medicine or as a cream, which is quackery based on 'estrogen dominance theory'. Yes it is irrelevant in some ways but you brought your own issues into her thread :) so was replying.

Helloflamingogo · 07/07/2018 10:46

🤷🏻‍♀️ There’s no quackery involved, the risk of me taking estrogen has been deemed unacceptable.

I’m not sure why you’re quite so invested, do you think I’m a troll or do you just think you know more than my consultant?

QueenoftheNights · 07/07/2018 11:25

No need to get snipey. I think your experience is muddying the waters. The OP asked about a combo of gel and the Mirena. You kind of hijacked her thread because your own health issues aren't about menopause as such . It appears you use the Mirena for heavy bleeding and birth control. It's very different from what the OP asked.

I'm not over-invested. I think it's important to keep the posts for the OP and her circs and not have mis-information about 'progesterone only HRT' for other lurking readers. (Because your experience is not really about menopause, it's about cancer recovery after losing an ovary. )

Sorry about your own health issues and hope you find something that fits your own needs. Flowers

Helloflamingogo · 07/07/2018 11:31

🤷🏻‍♀️

Airedalelover · 11/07/2018 14:20

Hello Holiday planner, I am postmenopausal and now take oestrogen in the form of patches, which I believe helps reduce of Deep vein thrombosis as it doesn’t go through the liver. The Mirena.
coil is very good , don’t have it but two friends of mine do and they say that it’s a bit sore going in but then you can forget about it. Both of them think it’s great. They also use the transdermal oestrogen. It’s whatever suits you at the end of the day, but also the oestrogen only for a short while will. Ot do you any harm what so ever.

chocatoo · 12/07/2018 07:52

OK so OP do you mind if I slightly hijack the thread to ask a v quick question of the knowledgeable women on this thread? I am 58, had mirena fitted approx 2 weeks ago (as part of hysteroscopy, polyp removal, etc.) with a follow up appointment planned for August when I am expecting to have some form of oestrogen added to the mix - this is all to deal with atrophy which is causing a lot of soreness, etc. and why heading down hrt route.
My question is that I have started to bleed. Not a lot but enough. Is this a side effect of the mirena? Thanks

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