HRT is it still working?

[Tornfelt]

Have been on HRT for nearly three years. I'm 48. Evorel 50 patches, vagifem pessaries and Utrogestan tablets. All brilliant and sorted out my symptoms. I feel I'm struggling lately. I'm exhausted all the time, mood swings are common and no desire for sex at all. Work has been very busy and draining and there has been a lot going on with family and friends, so I don't know if it's just that or if I need dosage increasing. Anyone have any experience of this? Just made an appointment to chat with my doctor, but it won't be until the end of March! Thanks.

Hi Tornfelt and a warm welcome to Mumsnet.
Just dropping by to add a nudge to this thread - hopefully someone will be along with a reply soon.
All the best, M.

Hi,
I am having the same problems. 53, taken patches for 3 years and now it feels like it's not working at all. I'm on the top dose, so unsure as to what to do. Feeling dreadful, waking constantly in flaring hot sweats, tired, unhappy etc. Dr has recommended Sertraline for sleep but it's an anti depressant!?
Sorry, tagged on in the hope we both may get an answer as I'm asking the same question as the above lady.

Hi @sunnysss
Sorry to hear you are having similar issues. Is your doctor usually helpful regarding HRT? Because of the supply issue with patches, I have started on oestrogel which was prescribed instead. This is my second week on the gel, and I do feel a bit better. I am however still waking up in the night hot again, and my moods are not stable, so I think I will keep my GP appointment. I wondered if the supply issue with the patches affected the quality in some way?

Sorry, I don't know anything about Sertaline.

When my night swears returned my doctor increased my oestrogel. That’s the beauty of the gel.

Hi all,
I have read that indeed after about 3 years the estrogen levels do tend to drop further, that's when we think it's not working. That's why we should start on the lowest dose needed.
The patches are still hard to get hold of, and yes, I do wonder if they are as good, but then after what I have just written, perhaps it's me!!
I did think about an implant.... anyone know anything about that? But I then read an article that Patsy Kensit wrote saying that it sent her crackers! So I went off that idea!
I'm on the top 100 patch, do that's 4 pumps on the gel - which is a pain, that's why the patch is meant to be easier. But yes, perhaps I should try that and see how much I need- to sleep.
I sometimes wonder if I should have just gritted my teeth and gotten on without, Hrt seems to be hit and miss half of the year.

Same for me OP. Been on the Evorel 50s for about 3 years and since late last year have started to feel like I might actually be depressed. I'm 48. The GP said I was on max dose of the patches. I have the Mirena as well. Since the shortages I've had to make do with Evorel 25s and been trying to make them last. Plus Estrodot 50s which keep coming off. Wondering whether I should ask for the gel.

I am keen to continue with the gel, so might ask if I can increase the dose and see what happens. It's less faffy than I thought it would be after using patches.
@Abraid2 night swears made me laugh!

Ha ha! Indeed 🙂

@salty78, have you had your Mirena all that time? I only ask as I had one, but it made feel very depressed.