Day one of HRT - Kilofem - Advice needed?

[NatM80]

Hi

I'm new here, so I am sorry if I ramble! I am just so worried.

I've not had a period for about a year. Before that, periods had become hit and miss for about a year but my bloods didn't show any sign of even being anywhere near peri-menopausal.

I don't get any hot flashes/flushes or anything like that. But I've got no energy or get up and go though, that's definitely gone. Suffer bad headaches. No libido, just no zest for life and that is not me at all!

I so hope this medication works but I am so concerned...

So, I have been prescribed this medicine today, and have taken my first tablet. Gosh, awful nausea and indigestion.

I can cope with that, my concerns are more what I've read whilst trying to find out more about this medication.

I am hugely (pardon the pun!) concerned about weight gain. Searching has proved futile. Some ladies say massive weight gain, others say definitely cannot cause weight gain.
The label which came with the meds says can cause weight gain and/or weight gain from water retention?

This is a big issue for me, I cannot put any weight on after working so hard to lose it (I am now a stable and very happy 138lbs @ 5ft 4").

I suffer with anxiety and depression too. I am on Mirtazipine, which has definitely helped with depression.
I see a few ladies have said Kilofem has caused bad anxiety and depression, so of course I am really, really worried about that too.

I was taking norithisterone a few years ago to try to conceive again, and it really affected my mood and I ended up in hospital with severe chest pains. I know this medication contains that, but not sure if it's the same quantity per tablet, so I am really unsure on this.

I hope someone can help with my concerns - what have been your experiences with this medication please?

I just really need some advice and reassurance (I hope!).

Thanks in advance x x

Have you had your thyroid levels checked, and you iron?

Many will tell you that hrt doesn't cause weight gain, that the menopause itself does. I certainly disagree. I was on hrt for 3 months last year and despite being very careful because I too really didn't want to put on weight, I'd put on over 1/2 a stone which for me is a lot. In the end, the benefits were too subtle and didnt help with my sleep at all. I stopped it and the weight fell off me without changing anything to my diet.

Last week decided to try again, continuous this time to try to sort things out for my sleep. This time I went on an even stricter healthy diet, nutritionist recommended, no excess, no alcohol, and in one week, I've already put on 5 pounds and my sleep is worse than ever. I know that expert will say to give it 3 months at least but I'm not prepared to risk putting on 2 stones despite all the restriction just to see if my sleep gets a bit better so I've stopped and resigned myself. I rather feel low for poor sleep than for feeling awful about my body.

Saying that, as you've read, hrt affect people differently. I have one friend who put on a massive oint of weight on it whilst another slim friend put on none and another managed to lose a few pounds. It is definitely worth a try.

I'm doing the 5:2 to maintain my weight. Works for me.
Kliofem has been fab for me. I haven't slept so well in years.

The label which came with the meds says can cause weight gain and/or weight gain from water retention?

I've been on HRT for 11 years, am in my early 60s and have not put weight on. In fact a few years into using HRT I lost 5 lbs that had crept on. I have however, cut down on the amount I eat because our metabolism changes post menopause anyway. I am also far less active compared to how I was years ago when I was either working in a busy job, dashing about, or running after my kids!

My BMI has stayed around 19 . I was and am very determined NOT to put weight on. If my weight creeps up by 2-3 lbs I cut right back to lose that. I feel slightly bloated when I am using the micronised progesterone each cycle, (for 12 days) but this goes away.

If you are very sensitive to Norethisterone it might have been better to have started on a type that doesn't contain it- such as Femoston.

There are many types of HRT. What suits one person may not suit another and vice versa. So if you don't get on with this type, don't assume HRT is not for you. There are many combinations and the trend now is to start all women on transdermal types (patches or estrogen gel) as this has fewer risks of blood clots especially for older women.

The other thing I forgot to mention is that even though you are officially post menopause now, you do not have to use HRT for post menopause (ie the sort you are on.) These continuous types include a progestin every day (Norethisterone in yours) and many women find this hard to tolerate.

It's often better to start with a sequential type ( follows a 4-week cycle) so you use progestins only for 12 days out of the 28.

This was you can identify if it's the wrong sort for you and /or you need more or less estrogen.

Your dr has started you on a high dose of estrogen ( 2mgs) whereas it's often better to start on 1mgs and allow your body to get used to it.

Unfortunately many GPs do not appreciate the finer points of prescribing and just reach for the prescription without asking enough questions- they ought to have questioned any mood swings/ depression and any intolerance of Norethisterone at the start.

Thank you ladies, lots of great information here for me, thank you.

Hi @SeaToSki!
Yes, thyroid is fine apparently (though my sister has an underactive one). I'm on iron as I was borderline anaemic.

Hi @swingofthings!
Oh no, that's not good. I hope you find one to suit you. Was in Kiloem this time?
It sounds like a minefield, trying to find the right one!

Hi @bananasonfire!
That sounds positive, has it affected your mood at all can I ask?

Hi @JinglingHellsBells!
Thank you, I said to my GP I wanted to start on a low dose, and she said that's what she'd always do anyway. But from what I've read she's put me on a high starting dose. I think I will go back and ask about a sequential type. I don't seem to tolerate the norethisterone well so that may be more suitable to me, thanks.

She did give me Estelle, is it? But apparently there's a manufacturing problem nationwide, so gave me this instead, but it would appear she's gone in on a high dose, and I didn't want that.

Thanks to you all for replying, feeling more positive now.

Can I ask, is the sequential type better for less weight gain, in your opinion?
And also, does it affect your mood? I am scared it will, because when I was taking the norethisterone/clomid regime a few years ago, I suffered really badly then, was just awful.

Thanks again, so much! :) xx

@NatM80, No it was Femoston. I think it confirmed that I don't react well to any progesterone and for me, it means weight gain.

I'm ok without hrt all in all and been getting quite a lot better in the past year since being officially menopausal. If only I could sleep, but agsin, hrt seems to make sleep worse rather than better for me.

At least I've tried twice so feel more at peace with my decision to go without

Oops, forgot!

I also meant to ask, have any of you found any benefits to your skin with HRT?

I've read lots of info, some clinical trials stating it definitely has a benefit on ageing skin, whereas other trials have stated they found no evidence of this.

So much conflicting information out there, isn't there?!

Thanks in advance xx

@swingofthings

That's good if you can get through it without HRT, I will do this too if I can't find the right one I think.

Can a woman have an oestrogen only HRT or does it have to be combined with progesterone do you know?

Sorry for all the questions, I find my GP hard to talk to so thought I'd ask for advice from ladies who have experienced it.

xx

Progesterone must be taken with oestrogen sadly unless you had a hysterectomy. Most of us would be so happy if we could only take oestrogen.

I don't about skin but mine was indeed nicer on hrt as it was when I was pregnant.

@NatM80
If you go to the website Menopause Matters on the right hand side, Home page, is a lot of info on HRT and all the products are listed with what's in them. They are divided into HRT for peri and post meno.

At one year post meno (how old are you?) you don't have to use conti HRT. This is offered as it's a no-bleed type but the downside is using 2 hormones a day.

Also, if you are under 50 there is a chance you may still have a period after a year and sequential is better.

Can I ask, is the sequential type better for less weight gain, in your opinion?

Possibly. The science shows no weight gain. A lot of women swear they gain weight but to be honest, the research shows a 'modest' gain of up to 5lbs. many women forget that menopause= slower metabolic rates and we have to cut our portion size and carbs by as much as 30 -50% to stay the same weight.

This is regardless of HRT!

The bonus of HRT ought to be better sleep and more energy= more exercise and less weight gain.

Skin- yes, estrogen helps build collagen though no one ought to use HRT as a 'beauty treatment'.

@swingofthings Thank you, I was afraid of that. I'll look in to sequential I think. Thank you!

@JinglingHellsBells Thank you. I will head over there and take a look. I def need to be more clued up on this to make an informed decision rather than relying on my GP, who promised I'd start on the lowest dose

I'm 48, 49 in September. Had a baby in 2012 no probs. Was not even peri-menu two years ago according to my bloods.
I am definitely thinking sequential now. I've booked to see a different GP In three weeks time. Earliest I could get in!

I really want the zest for life back, less low moods and agitation more energy etc. I am not bothered about it as a beauty treatment but if HRT is for me, and this is a 'side effect', then I am not going to argue!

Thanks so much ladies, you've been ace! Going over to have a read on the Menopause Matters website now x

Just give it a try and hopefully the benefit will outweigh the costs. You'll know quickly if you put on weight on it despite being careful. You can always stop it if it doesn't work for you.

I can't comment on mood really as I am a worrier anyway! I haven't noticed any real change. Getting enough sleep helps my mood and has made a massive difference to my ability to focus in work.
I wasn't going to go down the HRT route, but I was all over the place at work with appointments etc. It has been great for me so far.
Just keep an eye on your weight and be careful with your diet.