Stopping Biodenticsl HRT - what now?

[Claricethecat45]

So after 3 years on BHRT I have decided I cannot afford it anymore: Annual Hormone Blood Tests, Doctor Consult and then ongoing medication costs....

I decided to go for it having used conventional HRT - oral tabs - and got pulled into the 'safer' alternative...

I can obviously go to GP now and ask for the more conventional type again but I'm on here to ask if anyone else has done this - and more importantly- which types of HRT - would you recommend in the 'switch'?

I was on Elleste Conti but hear good things about Femoston.... I'm not keen on Premarin and it's like .... and wonder about Livial ... as Libido is a big issue and I have read that this is a reasonable choice for this! I have been on HRT for a total of 7 years now and want to stay on it .

Any suggestions... I'm all in tact so need a combined variety.

Thanks all

I think you must mean you were using compounded body identical HRT?
Made in a lab based on your saliva or blood samples?

That is not licensed, as you may know, and it's not endorsed by menopause consultants or the British Menopause Society. It's not safer and it's not recommended. It's provided by alternative Drs who make a lot of money out of women.

What IS available is body-identical HRT which are the same products but in licensed, accurate doses.

That includes ALL estrogen except Prempak and Premarin.
This includes all patches (estrogen onl), gel and estrogen spray and tablets (estrogen only.)
The body identical progesterone is Utrogestan.
These are all available via your GP on the NHS.

I’m in a similar situation. I’ve had private HRT x 3 years now and I feel it worked and helped through a stressful period but now it doesn’t seem to be working at all. My main issues that’s impacting is low mood not so much physical symptoms and I’m reading HRT isn’t as effective for mental symptoms. I’ve always had a tendency to depression so maybe it’s not even my hormones either. The whole private thing is a rigmarole getting the appointment slot to coincide with the end of the previous prescription, testing, comms by e-mail outside the actual appointment and paying for it all! I thought I did my homework as my private GP is a member of BMS but they no longer approve of private bioidentical compound HRT. I’m thinking of winding it down and trying without any . I’m not sure I can face trying to get it on the NHS with all the shortages plus now I’ve been reading some countries only use testosterone in the first instance whereas we don’t get given that. It is a lot to navigate! 🤷‍♀️

I’m reading HRT isn’t as effective for mental symptoms.

Really? where are you reading this? Your private care sounds a bit OTT.

I've had private care for HRT for years and it's very simple.

I ask for a new prescription by email or phone and it arrives by post within 2-3 days. You shouldn't need an appt to request a repeat prescription.
Most drs will ask you to see them or a virtual appt around every 6-9 months once you are on a dose that is working.

Maybe think about changing?

On here, I’m reading some people are saying HRT isn’t as effective for mental symptoms. I suppose it’s effective if the mental symptoms are hormonal but it can be hard to unpick the cause. I’ve been prone to depression all my adult life and so I’m thinking maybe this isn’t hormonal and is just connected to ageing and life stuff. My private treatment does seem a faff compared to your own. I’m thinking of trying without anything just to see how I feel then.

I'd not base your decision on something so important as posts here that are very subjective. It's not a scientific source and HRT is shown to work for psychological symptoms.

BUT there are also more women here saying it's helped than those who say it hasn't.

Usually if you feel hrt stops working, it's because as you get further into peri and your onw estrogen falls, you need a higher dose.

JinglingHellsBells

Yes you are correct - I meant 'compounded body identical HRT'

Having spoken to (not seen) GP, she offers/suggests Elleste Duo..
Do you have a view on this?

She wasn't able to offer Oestrogel and Progesterone tabs due to zero availability in my area...

Elleste Duo Conti - that is

You could wait until gel is available or start with an estrogen only patch- these are available. And the problems with gel etc are not going to last forever.

BTW you can put your post code and Oestrogel into Boots prescription finder. That will show where gel is available. You may not find it in your exact town, but if you try a postcode not too far away- just find one! - it widens the net of their stores.

Elleste is a tablet I think?

The move now is away from these so I'd push for patches and gel when it's available. Tablets all have synthetic progestin in.