Surgical Menopause - HRT stopping working after 4 years?

[Ephigenia]

Looking for experiences of surgical menopause and HRT, has anyone found it has stopped working after a few years?

I had a hysterectomy & oophorectomy 4 years ago, when I was mid forties. I've been on HRT since a month after surgery, patches at first, then estrogel. Also testogel for the past 2 years.

Currently (and for past 3 years) on 2 or 3 pumps of estrogel daily. I do vary it slightly as I get some breast pain if it is too high or too low. Generally 2.5 has seemed the right amount.

The past few weeks, I've been getting occasional hot flush-type symptoms. Not the full on savage ones I got after the surgery, but a milder warm flush once or twice a day. I'm also feeling more anxious and shaky than I have in ages.

Has anyone else had fluctuations like this after surgical menopause when the HRT seems to be less effective after a while? I know it happens with natural menopause as ovarian function slowly declines, but that isn't the case here!

I'd be interested to know this. I've been on HRT for surgical menopause just a little longer than you.
I feel like I'm getting more aches/pains and my mood/feel anxious is taking a bit of a hit again. I've got a menopause clinic appointment next month I think it is (albeit on the phone!) so I'll ask then and feed back to you 😊

@Ephigenia My guess is you need to increase the dose.

2 pumps is the norm for women with their ovaries (I use almost that and I'm probably 15 years older than you.)

You could try going up and persevering to see how that goes.

Just a thought but have you had both covid vaccines? A few weeks after having my last shot the flushes and anxiety returned after all my symptoms were under control with HRT for about 2 years. Doctor said it was possible the vaccine could have had something to do with it but they don’t know for sure. Maybe it’s totally coincidental and was just my own hormones battling away in the background but I’ve read on other forums about women who’s symptoms returned for a month or two after the vaccine.

I had the same procedure and have been on HRT for 15 years. I use patches and have had no issues with them at all - why did you move from patches?

I have had two doses of the Pfizer vaccine in June with no issues, other than a sore arm.

I realise I have been on HRT for many years, but each time I stop the symptoms just come back so I am quite happy to continue. I have low BP, low cholesterol, low pulse rate so low risk for heart problems. I did move from tablets to patches as I do(or did) three long haul flights each year and the DVT risks are lower with patches.

Sorry, been away for a few days so just catching up!

@FiveShelties I stopped using the patches because after about 6 months I started getting skin irritation underneath the patches. It took ages to heal up, so I fairly quickly ran out of unbroken skin to apply the patches to!

@mars62 that is interesting, I had my second jab mid-June, and I think started to feel worse a couple of weeks after that, but I certainly hadn't connected the two. Will look into that.

I've boosted myself to 3.5 pumps per day for a week now, but I've been away camping that past few days which always makes me feel better anyway, so can't tell if there is any difference yet!