Mumsnet meno wisdom needed.
Started estrogel in Jan, 2 pumps. Initially felt sick as a dog but then felt great. Aches gone, memory better (also on utro and androfemme) less tired and slept better on the Prog two weeks but not without. Flushes gone.
Then...
In July the packaging of my gel changed slightly and whether it's that (loads online about it) or my own levels are very up and down.. I felt much less great. I noticed that I was getting very low on the utro. I have no history of depression. Some anxiety but nothing not tamed by yoga etc.
In October the odd flush came back. Not loads but there, odd night sweat. Started weeing a lot at night. Sex bit painful. I got the most horrific UTI after decades of none, which has taken three lots of Abs to shift and now I still feel not fully right down there bladder wise, am now on vag estrogen. The whole excruciating UTI affair has made me very anxious (like crippling physical anxiety) and for the first time in my life I am deeply depressed. No booze/sex/life ruled by wees.
I'm 45, still having some of my own periods thrown in with the progesterone withdrawal bleeds that rarely align. So I can be spotting/bleeding for more days than none.
I am with Dr Louise Newson. This has not been the experience I would have liked for the price with rushed calls and errors in my results (long story). Bloods showed good estrogen in sept but I was naturally ovulating at the time!
So what the hell to do next. Patches to see if I get on better? Anyone else found issues with new gel? Do I need something that overrides my cycle more successfully? I can't do vaginal utro at the moment, my vag is too much of a mess with the aftermath of uti and thrush and I'm loading gradually on Blissel until I can tolerate the ovestin - my VA must have been quite bad 
. I had breastfed for four years just prior. I am on low dose amiltriptiline for the bladder pain but cant say it's helped my raging insomnia or anxiety. Only on 10mg.
Too much estrogen makes me feel wired so I'm wavering between 2-3 pumps. Gah I wish is was simpler.
I WILL be Making an appointment with a different specialist in the new year (gp hopeless and still feels 'I'm a bit young' wants me to go on Dueloxetine). But what to ask for or what might be right for me - I guess I'm asking for some MN hive mind or any similar experiences. Could a low estrogen crash cause UTI/anxiety/depression? What do other fluctuating fellow peri folk do when their cycles mess with the HRT?
Be gentle, I know you're not docs, just interested in thoughts.