Gel and progesterone not helping anxiety, brain fog and loss of mojo...

[MadameGazelleIsMyHomegirl]

BEEn on oestrogel and utrogestan (supposedly the gold standard of HRT) for several years. I’m still anxious as hell and my brain is mush. No ooomph (or libido!) either. Should I change HRT? If so what should I change to?

Well, it's changed my life for the better, but I think you should go back to your GP as there may be issues not relating to the menopause which are causing your symptoms.

HRT is great but it can't do 6everything^.

when you say you are anxious, what exactly does that mean? Not being funny, just curious.

I don't think swapping HRT would help. But NICE guidelines do suggest CBT for psychological issues so maybe look around for a good CBT therapist in your area? Or try some free online CBT? Or some books like Mind over Mood?

The anxiety is def meno related. I just feel jittery and on edge like I can’t breathe deeply all the time. No trigger, it’s just there.

The most obvious Q and A is how much gel do youuse?
You should try increasing it before thinking of swapping.
If you use 2 pumps, go up to 3 for a month and see if that helps.

Also maybe look at other things like yoga, CBT and apps like Headspace and others for meditation. My view is that HRT is a part of a package we have to create for ourselves, it's not always the whole solution.

I use 4 pumps a day, but despite this, my blood test showed my oestrogen levels are low. That’s why I’m wondering if I would be better on a different hrt or whether some people don’t absorb the gel very well. I put the gel on thighs and upper arms, and let it dry completely before dressing

Hi OP i am trialling a reduction in the length of time i take proegesterone as my depression/anxiety came back.

i was on 3 pumps a day and 12 days of utrogestan

i have switched to 2 pumps a day and 7 days of utrogestan.

early days buti do feel better.

go back to GP x

Highly unlikely a GP can help with this. It's specialist. Most GPs know very little bar the basics on HRT.

Transdermal estrogen is absorbed far better than pills.

Are you spreading it over a large area? the leaflet in some packs says follow the template- which is around the size of an A4 sheet. This should be the area of skin you cover. You need to spread it thinly, not just leave it as thick layer.