About to start HRT

[PeriChristmas]

Well I've finally convinced my doctor to give me a prescription.
She said to start on day 1 of my cycle. So waiting for that now. Will be another 3 weeks.

Anyone else at the start of trying HRT & want to compare notes?

@samthebordercollie I thought French drs were way ahead of UK drs when it came to HRT (that's what my consultant implied anyway :) )

You don't need a break from the estrogen. No one has, so can't understand why you are supposed to stop for a few days. Maybe it's a 'French' thing? What does it say on the patient leaflet in the packaging?

The dose for Utrogestan is 12 days normally. (Some specialists actually reduce this dose or lengthen the estrogen-only cycle, if women find they have side effects.)

If women have really heavy withdrawal bleeds on 12 days, then the advice is to increase to 14 days because this would reduce the growth of the lining more. The growth of the lining is directly linked to how much estrogen is in your system (either your own or using HRT.)

Hope this helps.

Yes the dose is 1 x 2 capsules ( 200mgs) for 12 days.
This is on the leaflet in the box so you can check it out there.

I have to take two tablets for 14 days, not 12? I have patches twice a week then two weeks on two weeks off with the tablets?

@badgerread

I have to take two tablets for 14 days, not 12? I have patches twice a week then two weeks on two weeks off with the tablets?

I cannot understand the confusion over Utrogestan :)

Even if the GP doesn't know, it's on the leaflet in the box and they can check it online as well.

here Utroestan dosage

The recommended dose is 200 mg daily at bedtime, for twelve days in the last half of each therapeutic cycle (beginning on Day 15 of the cycle and ending on Day 26). Withdrawal bleeding may occur in the following week.

Alternatively 100 mg can be given at bedtime from Day 1 to Day 25 of each therapeutic cycle, withdrawal bleeding being less with this treatment schedule

^^ This in practice has now been changed to using 100mgs daily rather than 25/28 days IF you are using it on a continuous regime.

This link says to take for 12-14 days

https://www.chelwest.nhs.uk/services/womens-health-services/gynaecology-services/menopause-and-pms-clinics/links/ProgestogenandProgesteroneRegimensinHRT130518AGREED.pdf

I understand that you don't need it if you don't have a womb.

But why do some take it 1 x a day? Is that if your periods have stopped?

@JinglingHellsBells

This in practice has now been changed to using 100mgs daily rather than 25/28 days IF you are using it on a continuous regime

Why would this be the case?

@PeriChristmas if you go to the website of Dr Louise Newson, there is a Resources tab on the menu.

Go into that and find Fact Sheets and I am sure there is one on Utrogestan.

Sorry, I just don't have time for all these questions and I've also answered your point on another thread about teh same thing.

@JinglingHellsBells I'm not sure French doctors are as good as that - none of my friends here of a similar age have ever considered or been recommended HRT, those who have heard of it are too scared of the risks to try it
My Utrogestan is actually a generic progesterone, and having read the notice it isn't nearly as precise for the different usages as the actual Utrogestan one I found on line which does indeed specify dosage for menopause.
Thankyou once again for all your expert help

I'm 48yrs old and been on Cerazette for 2 years for contraception. So I have no idea if I would still be getting regular periods as I haven't had any bleeding for the last 18 months. I'm starting to get a few menopause symptoms so asked my doctor and initially she prescribed Evorel Sequi and to stay on Cerazette for contraception. Then she realised I have endometriosis so checked with a gynae and they recommended Evorel Conti patches. My question is whether I really can take Cerazette with a combined HRT patch. I will double check with my doc but wondering if any other perimenopausal women with endometriosis have also been put on Evorel Conti patch whilst taking the mini pill such as cerazette. I'm a bit confused! Thank you!

My period has arrived a week and a half early, I’m on the patches and have only, I don’t know weather to stick with the schedule of 4 x 50 patches for 2 weeks and then 4 x Conti patches for 2 weeks OR abandon the Conti and restart on the 50 patches. Can anyone advise? I started another thread but no replies and I am supposed to change my patch tomorrow!!

About to start on the progesterone. Have done day 1-12 on the Lenzetto spray. This has noticeably helped my aching joints.

But, I'm now feeling really anxious & irritable. Just lost it with DH. 😢
Bit worried that the addition of progesterone might out me off entirely.

Hi Peri how are you doing now?
Better I hope.
Well I went to the practice nurse this morning to get my pre HRT checks done. Blood pressure, weight. Chat about breast awareness, migraine etc. All fine so all systems go for gp to call me tmrw and discuss the type of HRT I'll have.
I mentioned earlier in this thread after my initial phone appt with gp that she had never heard of Oestrogel. Well neither had the nurse today! It does not bode well. I am keen to try the gel/Utrogestan combo.
Gp said she would look into it after our last conversation but I don't feel very confident that she will have.
Any advice on what to say if this is the case and she is still clueless about it?
If she says they don't prescribe Oestrogel?
How should I approach that?
It is making me very anxious
TIA!

Good luck @wildthingsinthenight
Oestrogel seems to be very widely prescribed. They can look it up if you just give them the name. Or send them the link to the NICE guidelines:

https://bnf.nice.org.uk/clinical-medicinal-product-information/oestrogel.html

I'm not doing great. I did not react at all well to the introduction of progesterone tablets. Have stopped all together. Which is frustrating at the lenzetto spray was working a treat! I have a Drs appointment on Fri to discuss alternatives.

Let us know how you go!

Also, my practice had not prescribed lenzetto before I suggested it. I pointed out very calmly that there was surely a first time for prescribing all drugs. They went away and came back to me later that day with a yes.

Oh no Peri sorry to hear this!
I didnt get the gel or anything I wanted really. The conversation went quite pear shaped. The gel was only on the pathway for if you have no womb they said. No flexibility of thought at all! I seemed to know more than her. I agreed to try elleste duet and started today. Have heard good and bad stories about this. Trying to be postive but feel very flat. I know people will say I should have said this and that but I didnt have it in me. I'm having a nasty Long Covid flare up and just feel crap.
So onwards and upwards and trying to be postive. Dreading the progesterone being introduced as I've heard lots of negative stories
Ugh x 10000 over here

Oh dear sorry to hear that @wildthingsinthenight
Maybe go back when you feel stronger?

I'm trying again this month but using the progesterone vaginally to see if it helps! 🤞🤞🤞.

How's everyone else doing?

I've just started on the mirena and patches. So far so good. I've been sleeping better, my mood is better, my energy levels are higher, my joints ache less. I feel like the effects wane as the patch wears off but that might be all in the mind.

Sounds geeat @WhereAreWeNow 👍

I agreed to try elleste duet and started today

Dreading the progesterone being introduced as I've heard lots of negative stories

Elleste Duet contains both oestrogen and progesterone. You won’t have to take separate progesterone. I was on it for years (now gel+Mirena as was getting very heavy bleeds).

There are advantages for some (like me) in taking continuous progesterone as it’s the varying dose that causes the unpleasant effects. When I had a coil change recently I had a couple of uncomfortable weeks until I got used to the higher dose, then it settled.

@borntobequiet

I agreed to try elleste duet and started today

Dreading the progesterone being introduced as I've heard lots of negative stories

Elleste Duet contains both oestrogen and progesterone. You won’t have to take separate progesterone. I was on it for years (now gel+Mirena as was getting very heavy bleeds).

There are advantages for some (like me) in taking continuous progesterone as it’s the varying dose that causes the unpleasant effects. When I had a coil change recently I had a couple of uncomfortable weeks until I got used to the higher dose, then it settled.

But my understanding is that to take progesterone continually, you need to have stopped having periods no?

@SinisterBumFacedCat

My period has arrived a week and a half early, I’m on the patches and have only, I don’t know weather to stick with the schedule of 4 x 50 patches for 2 weeks and then 4 x Conti patches for 2 weeks OR abandon the Conti and restart on the 50 patches. Can anyone advise? I started another thread but no replies and I am supposed to change my patch tomorrow!!

Eek I don't know sorry. Can you call your GP for advice @SinisterBumFacedCat ?

Hi? I'm starting oestragel 1 pump a day and 1x100mg utrogestan today. I'm a bit scared! I haven't had a period for 18 months or so and my doctor said take 1 tablet every day but the instructions say leave 3 days gap. I can see this has been covered up thread but I've got my gp ringing me back today just to check. I dont want periods starting up again as they were always very painful!
I hope I feel better not worse as having googled people seem to sometimes feel much worse rather than better! I'm continually tired, so I hope that improves.

Also, where do people rub their gel into? The doc said thighs and buttocks, but I've seen a video where they say upper arms?