Can anyone help me please?

[YearOfYouRemember]

Diagnosed as peri-menopausal. Started on HRT in May.

Symptoms before - slightly irregular periods. Stomach pain. Hot flushes. Passing small clots.

Just had several scans and biopsy and have had cancer ruled out.

Since being on femostan - bleeding in between cycles but as if a period - full loss, much longer periods, stomach cramps, back pain (this is new), hot flushes, low mood.

I thought HRT was meant to make things better ??

Hello m'dear, I'm a bit further on than you in the process.
I was having horrible symptoms, but gritting my teeth and getting on with it then I was diagnosed with diabetes as well as the peri menopause. So it transpired that not all the symptoms were related to the menopause. Treatment for the diabetes followed and since then the menopause seems like easy work in comparison to pre diagnosis!

My GP advised me not to use HRT, said that they didn't usually prescribe it routinely these days. He also advised me to use alternative supplements (black cohosh).
I didn't use anything in fact and have coped (to be honest once the diabetes symptoms were better managed anything else felt less onerous!) but you might benefit.

A friend is changing her diet and cutting out sugar/lowering carbs has helped her.

I have done the same due to diabetes, and we have both increased our exercise.

Maybe see a different doctor, ask if you need to be in HRT, and why. GP's will differ and you may find you are better off without HRT.

My symptoms were/are changes I. periods which also started to happen further apart. It's well over a year since my last one so hopefully I'll be fully menopausal soon. However I went for a year without one a couple of times, then had one and another a couple of months later. Then back to counting up to two years again! 😂
All going in the right direction

Other symptoms included mood swings/ heavy periods/ poor concentration and memory.

I had my first (and only) baby aged 44, breast fed for a year, then a couple of years settling into work and motherhood before the diabetes/peri menopause started. So the last ten years have been a bit of a hormonal maelstrom !!

Now? Now I feel calmer, freer, more chilled out.

Despite having an almost 10 year old girl who is showing early signs of puberty!!!

Thank you PSP.

I did want to try without HRT but was told it was a good idea. I'm currently coming off Mirtazipine and the GP was hoping that HRT would fill the need for the Mirt. So far, not going well there either.

I take Agnus Castus every day and have for years and it works really well for me. I'd prefer a more natural approach as I feel I respond better but then I've been told HRT is just replacing what was naturally there.

I'm currently avoiding wheat as I think I might have an intolerance but I'm not fully without symptoms so it's taking a while. My next plan is to avoid dairy for a bit to see if that's an issue and then I want to cut right down on my sugar intake. I've recently rediscovered how much I love stir fries so been having those several times a week for lunch.

I desperately need to lose weight and have lost the same 5lbs about four times. Don't understand what I'm doing wrong.

My memory is rubbish, my mood is low, after a trauma I have anxiety and I'm knackered. Should have been a boy!!

Thanks again PSP. I hope you are doing okay.

I am wondering Pink why your GP didn’t suggest hrt! Hrt considered safer nowdays and it helps not only with meno symptoms but our longterm health.
When I diagnosed a year ago I had elevated blood sugar due to low estrogen and after taking hrt, my blood sugar returned to normal.
I really doubt if the majority of gyns have any idea about handling meno!

Pink
My GP advised me not to use HRT, said that they didn't usually prescribe it routinely these days. He also advised me to use alternative supplements (black cohosh).

Nonsense! Plenty of women are on HRT. It's safe and effective.

Your GP is wrong. Black cohosh has been linked to liver disease if used long term. Maybe he's one of those drs who is anti HRt for whatever reason.

OP
Since being on femostan - bleeding in between cycles but as if a period - full loss, much longer periods, stomach cramps, back pain (this is new), hot flushes, low mood.

This can happen in peri regardless of HRT or not. It takes time to work- 3 months is very early days. You can't tell if it's the HRT or your own peri symptoms.

You have only been on HRT for 3 months. That is the recommended minimum to make a judgement. Bleeding like you are having is very common in the early days. Your own cycle may be breaking through giving you longer and heavier periods.

Give it a while longer then re-assess. There are many types of HRT soif the first type doesn't suit, you can swap.
One of the best is a separate estrogen (like a patch or gel) and then you have to use a separate progesterone such as Utrogestan for half the cycle as well.

Don't give up yet.

Thank you QotN. I need to avoid patches if possible as I had patches for something else and literally didn't sleep for the ten nights I wore them.

I'll be seeing the nurse for a HRT review in October if I haven't seen my GP or the hospital consultant ive been referred to by then so I'll talk to her about everything.