Rage and tears

[FillInYourThoughts]

I'm 49, with period still going strong. I used to be on a 26 day cycle since I had ds 11 years ago. Since having the AZ, this has become 29-30 days.
I've always had heavy periods with lots of clots but since the vaccine this has become even worse than it already was. Basically on days when I have a heavy flow (2 days usually) I am almost unable to leave the house.

I've had anxiety for a couple of years but it's trough the roof now. I have private insurance (Bupa), what's the best way to go about accessing hormone therapy?

Will HRT definitely help with anxiety and heavy flow?

I've got a family history of CHD and one grandparent died very young from a heart attack (though he smoked).

What are my best options?

I am raging and crying at any perceived slight or unfairness. Much like my teenage dd

I've got a family history of CHD and one grandparent died very young from a heart attack (though he smoked)

HRT protects you from heart disease. (But you need to use patches or gel, not tablets.)

It's probably your age and peri menopause that is the reason for the change in your cycles, not the vaccine.

Private insurance doesn't cover menopause as it's classed as a chronic, long term condition. You could be covered for 'treatment' for heavy periods, through insurance, but once you were sorted, you'd not be covered for ongoing regular check ups (for years.)

The most popular treatment for heavy periods in peri is the Mirena coil. It also acts as the progesterone part of HRT so you'd only need to add estrogen as a patch or gel.

To be honest, if your GP is up to speed on menopause, see them and talk this through but if they aren't helpful use your insurance cover for a first appt.

@JinglingHellsBells is the progesterone in mirena the same as in the patches?

Also, is it possible to just use the progesterone patches at first or do you have to use both? I've got a book by Lara briden who suggests that route before both but she's NZ. And if you have the mirena in a way you're doing that?

I'm struggling with rage at tiny things.

I asked for a mirena coil due to periods happening more often - I had a 19 day gap between recently - and I passed a bigger clot last time too.
She sent me for an ultrasound first, and I’m going to give her a ring this week to arrange it’s fitting.
I also have two days of heavy flow. It’s a pain as I move around for work so I’m not always near a toilet.

Certainly sounds as though your oestrogen supplies are running out therefore you are peri menopausal.
There is a small chance that you have a different issue such as ovarian cysts so you must see your doctor for tests.
If you are approaching menopause then replacing the missing oestrogen is the best thing you can do for your long term health.
Menopause doesn't just bring the well publicised immediate symptoms such as flushes, night sweats and brain fog but is the start of the ones which are rarely mentioned but will eventually impact hugely on the rest of your life.
Osteoporosis
Osteo arthritis
Vaginal atrophy
Accelerated aging
Loss of libido
Urinary tract issues
Heart disease
Incontinence
and many more conditions that you can avoid by taking oestrogen for the rest of your life.
I have been on oestrogen for over 30 years and when out with most of my peers am assumed to be their mother. Yes I have aged, but not nearly as quickly as they have.
Read the NICE guidelines on the menopause (Google it) It is the NHS best practice document for GPs. If your doctor refuses you oestrogen without a valid reason quote the guidelines and ask to be referred to an NHS menopause clinic.
Good luck. (Don't accept oral HRT. Gel, patches or implants are the way to go.)

[quote WarriorN]@JinglingHellsBells is the progesterone in mirena the same as in the patches?

Also, is it possible to just use the progesterone patches at first or do you have to use both? I've got a book by Lara briden who suggests that route before both but she's NZ. And if you have the mirena in a way you're doing that? [/quote]
No the Mirena is not the same type as patches.
There is a table of all hrt products on Menopause Matters under HRT/ Types and the ingredients are listed.

The Mirena is for birth control and / or treatment of heavy periods.
To gain the benefits of HRT you need to add estrogen.

There is no such product as a progesterone only patch.

I have been on oestrogen for over 30 years and when out with most of my peers am assumed to be their mother.

Do you mean daughter :)

Thanks for the explanation jingling