Is there a 'best' type of HRT?

[vesperlindor]

I've finally decided to ask my GP for HRT - I did ask the question a few months ago on a phone consultation and was told 'yes no problem just let us know if you decide and we'll prescribe you some'. No real questions about my symptoms or anything like that, she seemed to be prepared to write a prescription there and then off the back of the minimal information I'd given.

I've been told that they will usually just dispense the cheapest / most generic option unless you ask for exactly what you want.

Wondering what others' experience has been of this, and if there is a 'best' option I should be asking for in the absence of any specific guidance from the GP about what I might need? Or if there is any helpful guidance out there anywhere someone could point me to. Many thanks!

I'm not sure if the cost is an issue really, as most HRT is very cheap.

(I get mine on a private prescription and each month it costs the same almost as the NHS prescription charge, although some women only pay 1 charge for 3 months.)

At the moment, the medical guidance is that for most women, using transdermal estrogen is best - no risk of blood clots. So that is gel (Oestrogel/ Sandrena/ one of the estrogen only patches, or combined estrogen + progestin patch.)

If you go for estrogen only you also need micronised progesterone for half the month. It's called Utrogestan.

Some women love it, others find it doesn't suit them.

One of the better tablet forms of HRT is Femoston as it is similar to the above.

It also depends on what you prefer.

Would you prefer to pop a tablet each day, or can you be bothered to apply gel to your arms/legs daily, or wear a patch stuck on your bum cheeks? :)

I'm about to switch from daily progesterone tablet and oestrogen gel, to a patch. I no longer need the cyclical stuff, which makes life easier. I found it hard to manage the cyclical patches, as when one fell off you needed to replace it with the same type, and they were really hard to get hold of- I never had any spare.

Thanks both, really helpful!

A patch is not appealing tbh as I'm incredibly fidgety (esp in bed, wonder why!) and I have visions of managing to accidentally peel it off regularly, just feels like it would be a PITA (literally).

Thinking about it, what I would actually prefer is to be 10 years younger - is that an option do you think?!

It sounds like gel + progesterone tablets will be the way to go...off I go to the GP armed with my request....fingers crossed! I have considered going for a private consultation but it's so expensive, so I'm going to try my GP route first and see what happens.....

Funny you say that, I said the same this morning. I've seen a slight improvement but I'm still waiting to feel 30 again!