What exactly do I ask for if I want to try body identical HRT?

[Getbusywiththefizzie]

I am a bit confused over body identical and bio identical but a quick Google shows that bio identical is not regulated or recommended by the NHS and body identical is the closest to the bodies own natural hormones and available on the NHS - is that correct?
I’m nearly 48 and having been having awful symptoms for the last couple of years but have been putting up with them as I am having an equally awful time trying to get a gp to believe that I may be in peri.
First gp said absolutely not as I don’t have regular hot flashes and I still have a regular (ish) 28 days cycle (as well as lots of other peri related symptoms which he didn’t even bother to ask me about). I was just offered CBT.
Changed surgeries but my current gp is just the same, says I may be nearing peri but not there yet? I was offered CBT!
My gp is now on maternity leave . I have been offered an appointment this Friday with a different gp. I’m hoping he’ll be a bit more on the ball with menopause (maybe wishful thinking) and would like to ask for body identical hrt as frankly I am still scared of the stories about the ‘dangers’ of hrt but also feel so crap that I need something as I can’t keep on this rollercoaster of symptoms and emotions and I believe that I would feel happier in my mind taking body identical HRT.
But what are the names of the products? What do I ask for if he is not au fait with them or menopause?

Although you won't get it if you live in Scotland sadly.

Kazplus2 I’m in England.

I am a bit confused over body identical and bio identical but a quick Google shows that bio identical is not regulated or recommended by the NHS and body identical is the closest to the bodies own natural hormones and available on the NHS - is that correct?

Yes.

Go to the websites of both Menopause Matters or Dr Louise Newson and there are very detailed articles on this.

ALL estrogen in the UK is body identical except for the types beginning with PRE (Prempak and Premarin.)

The only body identical progesterone is Utrogestan.

If you want that, you will use only estrogen with it- pill, patch or gel.

All other HRT has body identical estrogen and a synthetic form of progesterone.

Bio- identical refers to compounded HRT which is made in an off-licence lab, and it's not regulated and not available on the NHS.

You might not get much choice as there are still delays with many brands unfortunately

First gp said absolutely not as I don’t have regular hot flashes and I still have a regular (ish) 28 days cycle (as well as lots of other peri related symptoms which he didn’t even bother to ask me about).

This is incorrect- again, read the website of Dr Louise Newson on HRT and who can have it and when.

Yet another GP who doesn't understand HRT.

@BlueCowWonders

You might not get much choice as there are still delays with many brands unfortunately

Which brands? I thought the shortage was over?

@BlueCowWonders This is the BMS list from Sept 2020

Not sure if anything has changed since then.

thebms.org.uk/2020/09/british-menopause-society-further-update-on-hrt-supply-shortages-28th-september-2020/

[quote JinglingHellsBells]@BlueCowWonders This is the BMS list from Sept 2020

Not sure if anything has changed since then.

thebms.org.uk/2020/09/british-menopause-society-further-update-on-hrt-supply-shortages-28th-september-2020/[/quote]
Frim that list:

Elleste™ Oral Range currently unavailable

Have a look at the menopause dr website (as posters above say). There's a symptom checklist that you can print and take with you.
Perimenopause should be diagnosed from symptoms and a tick list will highlight to the GP just how many you have. Explain also how long you've coped and how they're affecting your quality of life.

I recently started estrogel and Utrogestan. Early says though but have noticed brain fog and headaches have lifted

Good luck

Thank you everyone. Hopefully I will have more luck with this gp.

I think you will need to be very firm, so many women struggle to get the HRT they need so don't let this gp fob you off. Printed evidence/tick list is a great idea. It might also be worth taking in the NICE guidelines on prescribing HRT - I'm sure the extremely knowledgeable @JinglingHellsBells can point you in the right direction. Good luck, HRT really can be life changing

Does Utrogestan help hair loss ?