Thinking of asking GP for HRT What do I need to know?

[dingledongle]

I am 48 and currently struggling with vaginal dryness, using vagifem but not helping as much as first did. My hair is thinning and I am feeling anxious and worrying about everything (Coronavirus and two kids being home schooled not helping!)

I am obsessing over everything, health in particular!

Speaking with GP tomorrow, thinking of asking for Ovestin too, but wonder whether HRT might be the way to go.

Bit overwhelmed at the moment

Anyone care to share their experiences?

Hi , I’m feeling the same not sleeping at night hair thinning , joint pain

There are benefits of the menopause and there are disadvantages to HRT. Your GP will ask about family history (high blood pressure and breast cancer i think) and make sure that you have compared the increase in the bad vs the benefit (osteo etc).

The GP might ask if you have considered alternatives; my employer is encouraging mindfulness apps for men and women because life is presenting lots of extra challenges to many of us and our resources are stretched. I hope you both are feeling better supported soon.

I tried herbal remedies first and they worked for a while then completely stopped working so I then asked my gp about hrt. He was obviously not keen as he said there are 2 options, 1 just getting on with it or 2 taking hrt. I said I’ve tried option 1 and i feel rubbish so I’d like to try hrt. He said “well exactly how bad are your symptoms?”. I replied rather testily “pretty rubbish and with the greatest respect as a man you have no idea how debilitating menopause can be. “ His rather baffling reply was “yes I’m a man but I had a mother!!!”
! I resisted the first several responses that came to mind as had I said them , I may have been banned from the practice. I suspect the killer look I gave him instead made him rethink what he had just said and he prescribed it. I’ve been on it about 2 years and it’s been fab . So depending on your gp you may have to be. assertive

Which type of hrt do you take ?

Op, I'm on vagifem and ovestin and conti patches. I need them all. I'm 45 btw.

Curious to know how many vagifem you are using a week?

tootsey11 i started in June using Vagifem twice per week.

Before Christmas I asked if I could increase to three times per week. However I an still experiencing soreness.

Left a message to ask for more help and waiting to hear back, in absence of an appointment!

It has been an uphill struggle

Have an appointment with meno specialist in early Feb

I read Jane Lewis book last night and was shocked and worried that my symptoms are just getting worse/changing.

Trying Headspace App too

Hi love..i am 52 started menopause about 48..didnt know it was that at the time! Ended up suicidal and completely gone before i got proper diagnosis ..even then i said oh i will cope with it all naturally...it took another 12 months before i was sobbing in the GP office begging for anything to make me feel better! I was constantly hot flushes and tearful and sensitive to bloody everything!! Anyway...HRT was prescribed that day and within 24 hrs i felt amazing ..truly! I stayed on it for 4 years and came off end of last year..still get very mild hot flushes but they are gone quick..id recommend HRT all day long it saved my life. X

@dingledongle I started vagifem in April. I increased the dose myself, didn't care about asking, I was that sore. I use one every other night, ovestin every night and morning on the outside areas. Started the patches after seeing a gynae. Gp got me an urgent appointment as I was in that much pain I could barely walk. I am only starting to feel normal these last few days.

I'm quite forward, demanding even when I see or speak to Gp. I know what I'm entitled to receive regarding Hrt. My advice is speak or see Gp as soon as. Tell them how sore you are and you want to increase the vagifem and get ovestin. It can help greatly with the soreness and it plumps up the area again. Vagifem can be used nightly, they should know this. I wouldn't wait til Feb, you need more help now. Its horrible to have this. Good luck.

Thanks Tootsey11 , I found i get very bloated if i use Vagifem too often, might be a coincidence but I had not had a period since sept and then I used vagifem for fourteen day reload and then felt bloated after fifth day and then got a period .

I need something topical as exterior area is sore now, I agree it is a nightmare

I have a private menopause app in Feb (booked it yesterday) and a nhs gynae appoint in a week (been waiting since August)

Gp phoning me tomorrow too- desperate

Currently trying to get some clarity as things seem to help and then stop