Estrogel/Utrogestan/Testosterone

[NickyNora]

Been on this HRT combination for almost a year. 4 pumps of Estrogel & 200mg of Utrogestan every second month for 10 days. Testosterone 2 pumps twice a week.(Started this 3 months ago).

I'm postmenopausal. Periods stopped at 43. I'm now 45.

HRT hasn't been a miracle cure for my symptoms but its taken the edge of them & made life bearable again. I have struggled with side effects fron the Utrogestan but this has got better with time.

My hot flushes are increasing again.
I have zero labido.(I haven't had sex in almost 2 years).
I'm always tired. Brain fog & irritable.

I'm about to attend my 3rd Menopausal Clinic. What else can i do? Take?

I am absorbing the estrogen well, according to blood tests.

I don't drink or smoke. I don't drink any caffine, processed foods, sugars etc.

I exercise most days now. I'm a healthy weight. Good diet, lots of water.

I'm starting to think maybe this is how I am now. Am i being realistic expecting to feel 'normal' ?
When actually I'm not the same as i was, I'm postmenopausal.

Hi! Maybe psychotherapy is another option for you Nicky, I agree that hrt isn’t a magic cure but it helps to feel normal again.
It sounds more psychological to me. Feeling bad or tired isn’t always due to hormones.
Try not to think so much about menopause and to go on your life!

Thankyou.

I was just getting on with life when the hot flushes returned & the other symptoms increased.

Bit difficult to ignore hot flushes when your dripping with sweat etc!

Nicky it does not sound normal, maybe you need higher dose of estrogen. Maybe you don’t absorb the adequate amount of estrogen. The hot flashes are an indication that you need reavaluate your dose. That is what my gyn have told me.
Although I am on cyclical hrt I have no periods and my gyn said that my estrogen is too low but I have no symptoms at all. I don’t know what this means. He suggested to take red clover but I don’t want to try it.

I don't know if this is a common issue with Estrogel. I have never met anyone using it. My GP had never prescribed it.

Blood tests show i am absorbing the estrogen. 4 pumps is the maximum dose but i will ask if i can increase it.
I don't know if changing how i take the HRT, would help. So using the progesterone continually might help.

I do feel better then on HRT but i most certainly don't feel 'normal'. Nothing like i did 2 years ago. Physically i can't do what i used to do.

I have an underactive thyroid so possibly that could be an issue too. Though my levels are the best they've ever been. I've never really had symptons apart from after I had my last baby.

I just thought I'd ask on here so i have some options to discuss at my appointment.

Maybe its all in my head. I am quite prepared to take A.D as ultimately this is impacting my day to day life.
I've recently had CBT, which was really helpful. I will have more when finances allow.

I rarely ever seen a GP until all this started. I don't bother going now, i just attend the menopause clinic as scarily, the GP has so little knowledge