Menopause Help

[WeeJean]

I am 48, starting having menopause symptoms at 42. Periods disappear for up to a year then return for a month or two before going again. I am now over the anger/rage feeling very down stage (I think) and the only symptoms left is the constant bouts of sudden sweating day and night. If anything this is getting worse instead of better. I have tried different HRT over the years and it really hasn't helped me. I feel great at first then end up a blubbering mess after a month or so. I got a phone consultation with a GP and he just wants me to try Femoston again but I am reluctant. I am feeling good and don't want to go back to crying all day every day. I also have a few orthopaedic surgeries coming up and know they will stop the HRT prior to the operations anyway. Doctor really didn't let me explain which annoys me. Sorry for my long and probably confusing post but I need advice from people who know what they are talking about. Many thanks.

Hi there It does sound as if you ought to stick with HRT if you can find one to suit. You had quite early peri symptoms and it's possible your estrogen levels have been low for some years if you've missed periods since 42. Menopause (no periods again) before 51 is classed as early and is linked to other diseases late on.

Which hrt have you tried? Have you given each type at least 3 months? If not, that's the medical advice, to give your body a chance to adjust to it. Sounds as if you might not get on too well with the progesterone part if you feel bad in the 2nd half of the month.

At the moment, the favourite type prescribed by consultants is transdermal estrogen= an estrogen patch or estrogen gel, and micronised progesterone ( capsule.) Have you tried this?

Happy to offer suggestions but need a bit more info on what you have used before etc.

BTW you don't always have to stop hrt before surgery. The transdermal sorts don't cause blood clots and may even help prevent them. I think some surgeons are a bit out of date and think of hrt as the sort given 30 years ago when it's all moved on and is safer.

Thanks for your reply. I tried Femoston 2/10 for 6 months and a patch (not sure which one) for 3 months. I always found the second half of the month horrendous but the first half great. Thanks for letting me know that the patches are safe pre-op. Any information as to why I am always ok first 2 weeks of HRT treatment then really in the depths of despair the other 2 weeks. Thanks so much.

I went through menopause at about your age too, but couldn't have HRT because of breast cancer. The hot flushes are awful aren't they. I found coffee triggered mine, I'd be red and sweaty before I was half way through a cup of it. Once I gave that up I had far fewer. You might notice certain things you do or consume just before a flush and could try cutting those out.

Some of my friends bought themselves a Chillow to cool the night time flushes with some success. One swore by the lady care magnet, but it didn't work for the others.

@WeeJean There are various options which your GP may or may not know.

Utrogestan (micronised progesterone ) can be used as a vaginal pessary (it's used that way all over Europe and in the UK for fertility). Consultants often recommend using it that way as it really reduces the down side of progesterone.

The other option is a Mirena coil plus estrogen as a patch/ gel.

Or, if you are really very sensitive to progesterone, you could have a long-cycle regime, though this is usually under a specialist as it's 'off label'. What that means is you use progesterone less than for 2 weeks per month. It could be once every 6 weeks or even alternate months.

Your GP isn't likely to suggest this as it's off-licence but there are women using it this way under medical supervision just to ensure the womb lining doesn't get too thick.

@ThemilkybarsRonme thanks for your comment. I am going to try cutting caffeine as I drink lots of tea and Diet Coke. I have a Chillmax Air fan thing next to my bed which is brilliant through the night.

@JinglingHellsBells thanks for all the info. I am going to phone my GP and pre-op nurse tomorrow and discuss things with them both. I feel better now I have your advice and knowledge behind me.

@WeeJean It might be best to ask for a referral to a menopause consultant, if your GP will offer that, as they are unlikely to want to prescribe variations to the usual hrt regimes.

@JinglingHellsBells I will ask about that. Thanks again for all your help.