Starting my HRT today!

[HappyStep1]

After struggling on for approximately 3 years I am today starting HRT, estrogen gel and progesterone tablet.
I'm excited to start noticing any positive effects, can anyone share how long it took for the good stuff to kick in or if I need to be wary of additional symptoms?
TIA

I started on the gel just after Christmas and already feel so much better. My anxiety and mood swings were becoming increasingly debilitating but now I feel much more positive again!

I have the gel plus mirena so I'm not sure if that makes a difference but hopefully you'll start to see results soon

Thanks @LookdeepintotheParka my moods are awful but I'm also hoping it will help with my energy levels

Holy Moley!!! One month in and I'm a new woman FFS why did I wait so long?

That great news - if I forget to change patches I can feel the decline in a day or 2.

I am evangelical about HRT , would be a misery without it!

So pleased the HRT is making a difference for you OP!

I feel really sad that it's a battle for some women to access HRT. It has been a game changer for me. Feel like I have my life back again!

I’ve just finished my first month on patches (tried gel and tablets last year and had problems). By the end of the first week I was feeling better, at the end if the second week I was almost my old self. Then I started the parches with progesterone in…. By the end of the first week I was grumpy, then the bleeding started, my mouth ulcers returned, as did my mouth ulcers and now my mouth is bleeding too (this wa# the problem last year when a pharmacist told me my mouth “issues” were probably due to progesterone).

Ill see how it goes but if this regime gives me 14 day long “periods” like the gel & tablet regime did then I’d rather have the hot flushes to be honest!

Why can a woman have a hormone coil that stops periods but on HRT we have to have a “bleed”? My GP could only say “it’s essential to have a bleed if you have a uterus”. I also wanted to avoid synthetic progesterone (DM died from breast cancer) but apparently only synthetic is available on the NHS 😞.

@HappyStep1

Holy Moley!!! One month in and I'm a new woman FFS why did I wait so long?

Ah that’s brilliant- I’m so glad it’s working for you!

@HappyStep1 So pleased for you.

I'll be picking up my first prescription for estrogen patches tomorrow night.
I had a full hysterectomy 10 years ago and asked numerous doctors over the years about it but kept letting rebuffed. Frustration spilled over with anger and tears during the latest call to my new GP last week and hey presto, she's prescribed it. I'll let you know how I get on.

Thank you everyone, I'm also pleased (not) to hear about the bleeding, this has also been a surprise but I am prepared to see if this settles as I feel so much better.

@Eve I too can see I will become evangelical about HRT, this has been genuinely life changing for me.

@BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou

I’ve just finished my first month on patches (tried gel and tablets last year and had problems). By the end of the first week I was feeling better, at the end if the second week I was almost my old self. Then I started the parches with progesterone in…. By the end of the first week I was grumpy, then the bleeding started, my mouth ulcers returned, as did my mouth ulcers and now my mouth is bleeding too (this wa# the problem last year when a pharmacist told me my mouth “issues” were probably due to progesterone).

Ill see how it goes but if this regime gives me 14 day long “periods” like the gel & tablet regime did then I’d rather have the hot flushes to be honest!

Why can a woman have a hormone coil that stops periods but on HRT we have to have a “bleed”? My GP could only say “it’s essential to have a bleed if you have a uterus”. I also wanted to avoid synthetic progesterone (DM died from breast cancer) but apparently only synthetic is available on the NHS 😞.

My GP never mentioned periods being essential. I have a Mirena + gel and haven't had a period since 2016!!

@BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou your GP is very wrong. I have the coil and when it runs out will be having another one put in. You do not need to bleed on HRT, you need to have progesterone as this protects the womb. Ask for the coil to be fitted instead of taking the tablets. womens health specialist at your surgery. Check out website menopause matters too.

Within 3 days of starting HRT I felt much better. I was still very tired and also have zero sex drive (single so not much of a problem) but also means no desire to even start dating. GP has now prescribed testosterone and my energy levels have improved enough for me to actually want to exercise. I’m hoping with an increase in exercise that I’ll sleep better and feel more energised.

Women put up with this shit for too long. If I had my way I’d be getting every woman 40 and over in to discuss menopause and treatment options. Such a misconception that we need to wait until out periods are stopped or erratic before starting it.

I started taking HRT in December and my sleep immediately improved.

My mood is still low and very anxious, although I think that's circumstantial rather than hormonal.

I'm very grateful for it too, as the insomnia was horrendous.

Glad that it's helping you OP.

[quote Mouldyfeet]@BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou your GP is very wrong. I have the coil and when it runs out will be having another one put in. You do not need to bleed on HRT, you need to have progesterone as this protects the womb. Ask for the coil to be fitted instead of taking the tablets. womens health specialist at your surgery. Check out website menopause matters too.

Within 3 days of starting HRT I felt much better. I was still very tired and also have zero sex drive (single so not much of a problem) but also means no desire to even start dating. GP has now prescribed testosterone and my energy levels have improved enough for me to actually want to exercise. I’m hoping with an increase in exercise that I’ll sleep better and feel more energised.

Women put up with this shit for too long. If I had my way I’d be getting every woman 40 and over in to discuss menopause and treatment options. Such a misconception that we need to wait until out periods are stopped or erratic before starting it.[/quote]
Apparently the coil isn’t suitable for me due to a combination of my age and miscarriage related scar tissue.

I’ve loved having no periods for the past 18 months (ish) and now they’re back with a vengeance 😞

Hope this post ok, l'm new to here.Been struggling for the past 10 years, with low mood, really bad hot flushes, anxiety, not feeling with it, really dry skin.Been on various anti depressants, continuously for 10 years.
Before Christmas, completely hit rock bottom, not coping.Spoke to GP and asked for blood tests to check hormone levels as the anti-depressants at their highest dosage really not helping.Had tests, l've been throughout the menopause! post menopausal now, l'm 49.I feel ridiculous l didn't work it out myself.Now l know, l realise the anxiety were hot flushes, low mood, in a brain fog, not being able to cope were symptoms of the menopause.I am getting to my question lol. Been prescribed femoston conti 1mg/5mg, been taking for 3 months
There's no improvements, would appreciate any advice, not sure what to do! Realise it's an individual thing, what works for one, doesn't necessarily work for another.Any thoughts on this particular hrt? not sure what other options there are, with nhs

@Jule49 it might be worth starting your own thread to get more specific advice.

Scroll up to the top of this thread and click ‘menopause’, then the little blue arrow and then ‘add thread’ and then you can make a new post for advice specific to you - otherwise people may end up replying the original poster of this one.

Hi Jule go back to the doctor as you may need to up the meds as my sis in the same position, so just getting a higher dose may be able to help you. Or they may change to another hrt. Please do not suffer any more and hope you are ok, so many of us in the same boat and not putting two and two together as male docs make us feel like we are mad and need to just shut up and put up. xx

@HappyStep1

Holy Moley!!! One month in and I'm a new woman FFS why did I wait so long?

I’m a few weeks in and my hot flashes/night sweats appear weaker/less frequent and I tentatively dare to say my sleep is better. Let’s see. This is indeed exciting!!!

@BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou

I’ve just finished my first month on patches (tried gel and tablets last year and had problems). By the end of the first week I was feeling better, at the end if the second week I was almost my old self. Then I started the parches with progesterone in…. By the end of the first week I was grumpy, then the bleeding started, my mouth ulcers returned, as did my mouth ulcers and now my mouth is bleeding too (this wa# the problem last year when a pharmacist told me my mouth “issues” were probably due to progesterone).

Ill see how it goes but if this regime gives me 14 day long “periods” like the gel & tablet regime did then I’d rather have the hot flushes to be honest!

Why can a woman have a hormone coil that stops periods but on HRT we have to have a “bleed”? My GP could only say “it’s essential to have a bleed if you have a uterus”. I also wanted to avoid synthetic progesterone (DM died from breast cancer) but apparently only synthetic is available on the NHS 😞.

Hi I still have a uterus and as far as I know would still be having periods if I wasn't taking hrt ( I'm 46) I use evorel 75 and utrogestan tablets 100mg. I taken the tablets every night with no break and so don't have a bleed it's great! I had to go private to get the utrogestan annoyingly but the menopause specialist said that I could take the utrogestan without a break to keep moods regulated, there's no reason not to.