I’m going mad, forced to consider hrt, any advice greatly appreciated.

[Squarepegina]

Hi,
I’m 55, last period at 50 apart from a one off bleed so post menopausal. I’m doctor and medicine avoidant unless it’s critical, then I’m not daft. So the physical menopausal symptoms so far I’ve handled okay, but I’m now crippled with emotional swings, depressions, lethargy...so badly I honestly feel I’m going mad. Coupled with dire insomnia, it’s a miserable life.

I just know that it’s linked to the menopause ( I used to go a bit mad monthly so I’m hormone sensitive ) and don’t want to get batted away with anti depressants

Anyone else experienced this? And if so did HRT help at all? And if so what particular type? And can this be done without a return to bleeds?

I’ve finally made a gp appointment and am reading up online but I’d really value people’s personal experiences if you’ve got the time. Thanks

I’m no expert yes hrt has helped me massively... I’m sleeping better, eating better and feeling better. My anxiety is still there as is my ptsd but the awful ‘brain fog’ is much less,the sweats have gone and I feel more ‘me’ than I have in years. My tablets do allow a bleed every month but that’s because I was still bleeding so I’m on a slightly different type

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. Sounds like it makes a huge difference to your life. The feeling more like me is something I’m just desperate for. I’m glad it’s working for you.

Yes hrt helped my emotional symptoms and NICE guidelines don't support prescription of anti depressants as a first line treatment any more I don't think

I am on HRT - I was suffering from brain fog, daily headaches, mood swings, joint/muscle pain, low libido and a feeling of fatigue and self loathe. I still have a bleed monthly but HRT has helped with the other symptoms- thank fully

still bleeding

Oops that still bleeding has notbing to do with the text about it 🙄

So lots of positive stories, thank you, but anyone take hrt that doesn’t involve bleeds?

I do. HRT helped with my insomnia. I just upped my dose as it was creeping back and things have improved again. Evorel plus Mirena.

It changed my life...took for 8 years. Am now off it.
I had bleeds with it...conti HRT didn't work for me. That was the reason I came off.

At 55 and no periods for 5 years you can use no-bleed continuous HRT.

However, many of us find that starting with a bleed type is better even if just for 6 months or so.

This is because you get a good 2 weeks each cycle to see if the dose of estrogen is right for you.
If you start with conti , no bleed right from the start, you are using two hormones- estrogen and progestogens.

You might be fine but some women find the progestogen part tricky as it can give PMT symptoms. There are up to 4 types of progestogen out there and it can be trial and error finding the right one.

Just something to think about.

I've been on HRT for 11 years since my early 50s. I love it but do use the bleed sort as I don't want to use 2 hormones daily. It's a compromise but less progestogen has a lower risk of breast cancer, if that worries you.

Thank you Jingling, that info is so useful .

I’m 49 and only peri bit use sandrema and utrogetron day 15- 26 but I still get periods. It has changed my life massively, like you I was low mood, anxious, irritable and foggy - mainly gone apart from a couple of days before period. Also has helped with migraines that i was getting regularly before. Still get a migraine two days before period but no where near as bad. Been taking for 3 months Good luck

I've had the sane, OK with physical symptoms but struggling with the mental ones, insomnia being the worse. Tried hrt, made my hyperness worse and really hated the médicalisé aspect to it. It was a relief to come off it so knew it wasn't for me. I had to find something else.

I now take some supplements, including magnesium, but most importantly really embraced mindfulness. I'm now fully into it understanding it better and I am really starting to get the benefits all around. I feel so much happier. Sleep is still in progress with times better than others but it is improving. I've now identified the triggers and learned not be let the worry of poor sleep and its consequences get to me.

Nothing wrong at all with hrt, just sharing this as you seem to favour non médicalised interventions if they can work.

Honestly? Hrt has given me my life back. It's been life changing.

And I'm a fairly stoic, health food type of person. Tried to manage things with supplements etc. I'm on bog standard nhs tablets, low dose. I'm 53.

Benefits - my aching feet have been miraculously cured. So I am now walking 5 miles a day and happy to do so.
I have more energy.
Sleep vastly improved.
NO RAGE honestly I did some things I am mortified about last year and can't believe I did and now feel much more normal.
I feel generally younger.
Libido slightly improved
Skin looks better.
I feel optimistic about life generally.

The only bad thing is that I've put on nearly half a stone! And can't shift it despite the walking!

@swingofthings if HRT made your symptoms worse, that could be a coincidence. HRT isn't a cure-all and if women have psychological symptoms, sometimes other treatments are necessary including mindfulness or meditation.

It's really important to recognise what the R in HRT is for! Replacement not medicalisation but putting back what we had before our ovaries packed up.

Sometimes it's not what some women need if their symptoms mainly psychological.

I use Tiberlone and don't have monthly bleeds. Before taking it, I had massive mood swings and was constantly knackered. I now feel full of energy and more relaxed about stuff.
I took 3 different types of HRT before I found this one that suited me. I've been on it for about 4/5 years.

&JinglingHellsBells, definitely not a coincidence. I tried it mainly for my sleep issues and it made no difference at all, however, I started to feel depressed, moody, short-tempered, dizziness and lightheaded that was even worse then before. Not including the sudden significant weight loss (all gone after stopping).

My main issue was what feels like a constant rush of adrenaline, and that's what triggers my sleep issues. I've read a lot about the role of the adrenal glands during the menopause and the impact on every day life. I don't miss hrt, dont miss the periods, the remembering when to change the patch, the inserting the progesterone etc...

Mindfulness really helps me through the above but also re-assessing my priorities and what matters in life.

Deadbolt, my GP suggested Tiberlone too as an alternative to hrt, but it needs to be taken after 12 months of no period.

I was surprised to find so little about it on forums.

I take one pill a day, it couldn't be easier. I started hrt because I had hot flushes that were really depressing me. They went within a couple of days. All the other benefits took a few months to appear. I don't belive hrt is a magic bullet. What it does is replace what you've lost. I think it definitely treats physical issues but if depression and sleep issues are your 'only' symptoms then maybe you won't have such good results.

Oh thank you all so much for more experiences. I’ll look up Tibolone and discuss with my gp...still a week to wait 🙄

Fazackerley this has been my dilemma for the last few years, that I’m coping with the physical but struggling with the mental. The thing is maybe I don’t need to struggle with the physical. I went for my smear before Xmas and the nurse noticed I was tense....I’m usually fine. She gave me a prescription for Vagifem on the spot. I tried it and was amazed it’s worked 😁. So that’s why I’m considering opening my mind to trying Hrt.

Everyone’s experiences have at least made me more positive about discussing it with my doctor. Thanks.

Just to give the other side to HRT and insomnia.

I neve rhad any issues with sleep before menopause; was drop off in 10 seconds flat.

The minute my periods stopped at 53, I was awake for hours after going to bed. I also had hourly hot flushes which were embarrassing at work, as it was 1:1 client-facing.

HRT sorted both in about 4 days.

I'm also carrying on using it for all the other long term benefits, to my bones, heart, brain and pelvic floor. Meno isn't only about the flushes and sweats.

Obviously if it doesn't suit some women, that's fine, choose whatever is best for you, but younger women are supposed to use it to 52 at least if periods stop before 45.

Tibolone is not mainstream HRT- it's a steroid compound. It's not usually the first one offered. In the past, some research linked it to a higher risk (than other HRT) to stroke and heart issues but newer research hasn't confirmed that.

I think some GPs see it as an option which they 'like' but I've never been offered it by my consultant. It is supposedly less effective for meno symptoms than other HRT and appears to be prescribed more for preventing bone loss when women have no other meno symptoms.

There are other side effects and risks which appear to outweigh the usual HRT regimes.

Info is here

bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/tibolone.html

The thing is maybe I don’t need to struggle with the physical

No, you don't! I was so hard on myself - I'm not fit enough, I don't eat properly, maybe I drink too much coffee? Maybe I don't get enough fresh air? Maybe Im allergic to dairy /gluten maybe I eat too many carbs etc etc

I felt so so tired with it all. Couldn't bear the idea of feeling this old and tired for another 5 or 6 years.

I feel so much better now.

I genuinely thought I had fibromyalgia.