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Menopause

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Original poster

Novofem - 1mg start of menopause

48 replies

novofem · 29/06/2019 17:45

I’ve just diagnosed at 46 yrs old and been prescribed novofem, lower dose of 1mg . My symptoms - last few months the periods weren’t regular! Tiredness , leg bones hurting , can’t sleep going on for years! Generally feeling my body is 90 yrs old.

Anyone give me any advice, if there are using the same medication , Share your experience , knowledge may help .. many thanks in advance

OP posts:
dontforgettheyellowbird · 29/06/2019 17:54

I've just changed onto Novofem after taking Elleste Duet for a year. On my second packet and it's fine! Less leg aches,mood is fine, don't think it has made a difference to my sleep but certainly have felt better in the last year or so after taking HRT, felt hellish before! I will say to persevere with it as it took a few weeks for my body to settle down, horrendous heavy period in the first month. Wouldn't be without HRT now. Hope you have as positive an experience too :)

JinglingHellsBells · 29/06/2019 19:00

Novofem is a continuous, combined form of HRT for women who are post menopause and have not had a period for 6 months at least. (most combined conti HRT states 12 months with no period.)

You should have been put on a sequential type, not continuous.

Go back to the drs and discuss!

Dickybow321 · 29/06/2019 19:01

You need one that gives you a bleed

Original poster
novofem · 29/06/2019 20:33

Thank you! The doc did say I was post menopause - blood menopause results .

OP posts:
JinglingHellsBells · 29/06/2019 21:03

Blood tests are not accurate. NICE meno guidelines say do not use them. GPs need to start reading them- they are now 4 years old!

Original poster
novofem · 29/06/2019 21:20

If the blood tests for menopause are not right where they check for it if you are menopausal or not ! What is?

OP posts:
JinglingHellsBells · 29/06/2019 22:38

@novofem

Peri menopause is diagnosed on symptoms:

irregular periods, longer and shorter bleeds, hot flushes, mood swings, weight gain, night sweats, etc etc.

Post menopause is when you have not had a period for 12 months.

You only know your periods are over for good with hindsight. if your last period was (for example) 6 months ago, you cannot say you are 'in menopause'. You are in perimenopause.

Unless your last period was 12 months ago, you aren't in menopause (meaning no more periods ever.) The transitional phase is called peri menopause.

Original poster
novofem · 30/06/2019 16:33

Novofem - anyone get headaches ? Side effect

OP posts:
Original poster
novofem · 30/06/2019 16:34

I’m constantly peeing at night , every hour now ?? So annoying can’t sleep
Anyone else experiencing that??? Will novofem help with this.

OP posts:
roonieme · 02/08/2019 11:38

I started on Novafem last month and just started my 2nd pack, I can assure you HRT is not just for post menopause and especially this particular HRT....because the 12 white tablets have synthetic progesterone added this enables you to have a bleed so this is designed for people who are symptomatic but still have a uterous and periods (all be it off and on Wink )
I've found this amazing, it has reduced and in some cases got rid of most of my symptoms and I wasn't that optamistic as not to be dramatic but I felt like I was dying a couple of months ago... so i'm on my 5th week and have an increase in energy and at last a medication that reduces appetite lol and becuase of this I have lost 7lbs Shock
I did get a bit spotty a few days before my period came but i've read it can take the 3 months to settle so I think I got off lightly.... I hope it improves your quality of life, I really do sympathise x

Original poster
novofem · 02/08/2019 12:16

I’ve just started the 2nd pack - I came on my period with 2 days of starting new pack .
Thanks for your experience

OP posts:
Ernie515 · 12/08/2019 18:07

After suffering for many years with insomnia, night sweats, Mood swings & irregular periods (1 in 7 months) my latest blood test results showed a fsh level of 60 & my GP finally listened to me and has prescribed Novofem today, here’s hoping it will bring some normality back 🤞

Pebbles574 · 13/08/2019 22:35

Yes, another Novofem user here, having switched from elleste duet due to HRT shortages.

Just to confirm that what JinglingHellsBells said Sat 29-Jun-19 19:00:01 is INCORRECT

Novofem is a sequential combined HRT therapy: Estradiol 1mg
Norethisterone 1mg for 12 days/28

See here for more info: www.menopausematters.co.uk/perimeno.php

Original poster
novofem · 13/08/2019 23:06

Thanks for sharing pebbles574

OP posts:
Original poster
novofem · 30/08/2019 22:17

I’ve been on this now coming up to 3 months , aches not that bad! Period coming regularly.

Has anyone had weight gain? Feeling bloated ...

OP posts:
maria111111 · 06/09/2019 09:58

@roonieme Can I ask if it has helped you mood wise, if you’ve had any side effects and in general how fast it helped, please? I’m anxious as it is and am very afraid it’ll make me even more anxious or nauseous 🙈

maria111111 · 06/09/2019 09:59

@Ernie515 How’s it been for you starting? X

roonieme · 06/09/2019 14:14

Heya :) my moods are much improved, I cooed with the summer heat garden better this year than last and my pmt is definitely better, I've just started the 3rd pack and was hoping it would help with my weight gain buthe I've gained 6lbs since starting and my diet hasn't changed and if anything it's improved, hoping this is just because of the change and that it will settle soon.
I'm not feeling so anxious which is good and I'm hoping to start work soon :)

Original poster
novofem · 06/09/2019 16:28

Yeah the Weight gain nearly finished my 3rd pack - couple of pounds ... ☹️☹️

OP posts:
lizzie0712 · 07/09/2019 09:51

This thread is really useful for me, I've just been prescribed Novofem only yesterday and reading other people's experiences is reassuring.

maria111111 · 07/09/2019 13:52

@lizzie0712 Same here ♥️

EddieFlea · 08/09/2019 08:12

Been in Peri stage for many yrs, mainly night sweats...but my memory, attention, ability to multi task has become so bad its causing probs at work. I've not had a period for 8mths but the Dr. says I'm now menopausal. I've chosen HRT to hopefully help my symptoms, i don't have many sweats and I'm not irritable.
So I'm on a combined because I haven't gone a full 12mths without a bleed. I'm still on red pills but feeling nauseous and tummy cramps like I'm going to come on!! I know its early days but I'm feeling worse than b4. Does it settle down? Do others have the same side effects?

maria111111 · 08/09/2019 11:57

@EddieFlea I’m only 2 days in but also feel as if my period is about to come on. I’ve heard that tummy trouble can be a pain to start with but that it should subside.

Original poster
novofem · 08/09/2019 12:33

I would suggest you have a blood test checked re thyroid - mine has dropped in a year 2.12 to 1.12 ... as well as menopause I’ve been told my thyroid is too low , I’m trying herbal tablets (gp won’t do anything) .. thyroid may be some of the symptoms to do with that

OP posts:
EddieFlea · 08/09/2019 21:30

I had blood tests done prior to starting HRT to check for thyroid. I also had an ultrasound scan to check the wall of my womb.

Im pleased to hear im not the only one suffering side effects. I intend to see my Dr after completing one month to have a check up..if no better then will need to chill pill😓