Anyone come off private compounded HRT to NHS treatment or nothing?

[Fififizz]

I’ve been on compounded HRT for 3 1/2 years, I chose this due to difficulties getting prescriptions even back then! After a bit of trial dose wise I felt good on it. My
main difficulties are low mood, energy, dry skin. I had a blip a couple of months ago when I felt like my HRT stopped working so GP upped my dose.

Now all’s good again but I’m wondering about either stopping it to see where I am naturally or trying to get NHS treatment. I feel uncomfortable that compounded treatment really isn’t recommended and the cost of the cream, blood tests, review appointment etc is quite a lot.

Am I bonkers to upset the apple cart? Before my dose was upped my mood was pretty grim but I’m just wondering if maybe I’m out of the peri stage possibly now so things might have calmed down. I have a mirena so no idea about periods.

Anyone else stopped treatment or transferred onto NHS?

You're right that compounded HRT is not licensed and not recommended by the BMS.

I'm a bit confused over why you are using more than just body identical estrogen if the Mirena is giving you the progestin side of HRT?
You only need estrogen, as gel.

What are you paying for now?

You don't have to jump straight to the NHS- you could see a private consultant who uses licensed HRT but as you have a Mirena, all you need is Oestrogel, which is available on the NHS (or privately if you prefer to see someone other than a GP.)

JinglingHellsBells ·

I still have mirena as I decided with GP to retain it for 7 years instead of 5. Due to
my age I was hoping I can remove it soon and not have another one. I had it to stop horrendous periods which I didn’t know were part of peri as they’ve always been bad. I didn’t understand mirena isn’t body identical hormones but a bit late now!

I’m just feeling like I don’t want to be taking HRT unnecessarily but not sure how I’ll be without it. I guess there’s only one way to find out.

I'm still confused :)

What are you taking now from the private clinic?

Who do you see and where and what are the prescribing for you?

You mention a cream?

I had a blip a couple of months ago when I felt like my HRT stopped working so GP upped my dose.

Your GP?

I assumed you were getting your estrogen from the private clinic and it was bio-compounded HRT.

Sorry, I’m a bit confused myself. I have the old mirena but not as part of HRT (from memory that’s what we said, I think I’m judt keeping it in to have removed soon ish but not a new one).

I get a compounded cream with estriol, estradiol, and progesterone and DHEA capsules. I don’t notice anything from the capsules tbh and if I run out I feel
no different. I just wonder about the fact this isn’t NHS approved dosed medication which I’ve been on over 3 years now and re the DHEA capsules if I’m just throwing money down the pan? Plus, I never intended to be on HRT forever. I just desperately wanted to help my low mood and low energy and now I’m 53 I’m wondering if naturally things have levelled out and what the new, middle aged me, might actually be like now. If that makes sense?

That's okay! :)

The Mirena is licensed as part of HRT for 4- 5 years, then the hormone runs too low to be effective.

If anyone has a Mirena, all they need is estrogen- either gel/ spray/ tablets.

So if your Mirena is over 5 years old, it's not doing anything as part of your HRT or to stop heavy periods, so it needs changing.

DHEA is supposedly for vaginal health mainly.

Personally, I do think you are throwing money down the pan. The products are not licensed, the blood tests are expensive and not necessary.

If you were happy on the Mirena for your periods, then it's worth having a new one fitted (if it's over 5 years old) and using estrogen gel to make up the HRT.

The gel is available on the NHS.

You're quite young at 53 to think of stopping as a lot of women only just start HRT in their 50s, but the only way to find out is to stop it and see how you feel.

Thanks,

You’ve summed it up pretty well. The private route with annual tests, paid for review and treatments on top is starting to feel expensive and a faff! Plus I feel no different on or off the DHEA. I think I jumped on it all when I was desperate to feel better and am marginally more balanced and rational now.

I’ve just ordered my final prescription before I’m due annual testing and a review. I need to contact my own GP re some circulation issues Raynuards, tingling in fingers etc so can hopefully discuss a switch with them and think it through. The mirena was a miracle to stop my horrible periods but know I know it’s not body identical hormones, I’m not sure. I know it’s only a tiny amount but our bodies already get bombarded with chemicals due to life plus if I’m not having periods….

I shall think it through.

You do know you can use body-identical micronised progesterone as part of your HRT?

I've been using it for years.

The NHS provides it.

Yes, that’s in my compounded prescription. The gold standard NHS seems to be body identical oestrogen and Utgestostan or however you spell it. If I had that treatment I think I can dispense with the coil which isn’t really functioning anyway. Or, I could try nothing snd see how I get on. I’m just assuming I need to taper off my current HRT if I want to try that. The strange thing is I feel quite well on it but am wanting to bottom the circulation issues and am unsure if they’re menopause related or maybe thyroid or something else.