Thoughts on HRT

[Kiki105]

I'm considering asking the doctor for HRT and was just wondering what other womens' views are on this treatment. I've been feeling rubbish for while now with the normal symptoms but it's the extreme low mood and negative feelings I've been having lately which is really making me reconsider taking it. I've not had a period in 4 years due to having a Mirena coil fitted and they were sporadic before then so I just don't know where I'm at.

I love it. My main symptoms were brain fog, anxiety and paranoia thst were impacting work. The sweats were gross, palpitations scary but manageable. But having HRT since the end if last year has been the difference between managing to stay at work or not. We have a specialist nurse at our practice, if there’s one at your its worth going along for a chat.

just to note it can take a few months to get the correct dose so the sooner it’s started the better

If you've got the Mirena you're already taking the progesterone component of HRT.

I understand you can get an oestrogen lotion or patch if you have a Mirena fitted. I'm also in two minds whether to have the coil removed but guess I should discuss with the doctor first.

I'm also in two minds whether to have the coil removed but guess I should discuss with the doctor first

Do you own research as well so you have an idea of what you might prefer.

Yes, I have the mirena for my progesterone and use estrogel for the estrogen part - mirena is super convenient - nothing to remember, no periods and no second prescription charge. Some people say it's less good than micronised progesteone because it's synthetic progesterone but on the other hand it's delivered exactly where needed so you need less and it doesn't have to travel through your body in the same way as taking it orally or through the skin.

I started my HRT by adding oestrogen patches and ovestin cream to my Mirena. Initially HRT worked wonders on my flushes and vaginal atrophy; a later tweak massively improved my mood and testosterone gave me back a libido. I’m a great fan but we’re all different.

I’ve been on kliovance tablets for 4months. Was doing good until I started suffering severe anxiety 24/7 and strangely tinnitus!!! Gp today changed me from the tablets to oestrogel and utrogestan tablets on a night. Has anyone had any good results from these???? I’m gutted that these side effects started after 4 months of doing great. Now I’m worried about starting the gel and tablets. Any advice please ladies much appreciated x

I would strongly advise against removing the coil, but that's just me. I love having no periods and not having to worry about an accidental late pregnancy. I love my hrt patches, they've improved my symptoms enormously. I still get quite tired but it's sleep, I'm not lacking any sense of joy anymore.

Taking sertraline because of big mood swings around pre period. Still getting mood swings despite ending of periods. Is. or has anyone been in the same situation. Seeing the doctor on Friday but would like some views to arm myself before I go. Main concern would be to enable me to stop sertraline if HRT gets rid of mood swings. Very bad mood swings. But infrequent and better with sertraline. Thanks

Hi ladies,has anyone suffered with tinnitus since starting hrt? I started on Premique low dose tablets in April. Fantastic for few month then many symptoms returned. Doctor changed me to higher dose Kliovance tablets. Strangely I started experiencing pain like muscle spasms in neck,shoulder,arm and thumb and tinnitus so loud constantly. Continued with these for 4month thinking pain and ringing in ears may ease in time. It never did. After much reading and research I thought I’d try a different route and was prescribed oestrogel and utrogestan. 2 days on this and the tinnitus got even worse. Constant loud ringing in both ears. It’s awful. Thankfully the crippling pain I was in has gone which was really my worst issue so has been a godsend. Has anyone else suffered with this high pitch ringing since starting hrt??? Any advice greatly appreciated ladies x

It’s a very individual choice on whether to start HRT and since you’re struggling with symptoms sounds like something you’re considering.

Heres a symptom checker you can use to tick off any that apply before discussing with your GP. menopausesupport.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/MENOPAUSE-SYMPTOM-CHECKER-Nov-20.pdf

HRT if you have a womb consists of an oestrogen and a progestogen. Oestrogen is given via pill, patch, gel, or spray with pros and cons for each. Pill can’t be taken if eg you’re at risk of blood clots or have high blood pressure, patch is changed twice a week and gel or spray is used every day. With the last 2 options the dose can be altered more easily to suit. For the progestogen you have the Mirena coil however keep in mind it’s licensed for four years as part of HRT though okay to take for up to 5 years so it might be the case you need a replacement or a different option. As your periods were sporadic before you had your coil fitted (my situation too) and if you’re within the age range of 45 to 55 it’s likely you’re post menopause now.

@Buster21 if you see the symptom checker above tinnitus is a menopause symptom. You did the right thing in trying a different HRT delivery method and if using a low dose if might help to increase it.

It can can time for symptoms to resolve and finding the right dose. That said sometimes HRT isn’t for everyone. Hope you find the answer.

Yes I’m doing lots of research. Thanks so much for your reply x

@buster21 yes I started with patches 8 weeks ago and tinnitus started. It’s high pitch and whooshing also. Felt bouts of dizziness and nausea! I am stressed and have very tense shoulders so could be related to that! However it’s weird that it started when started HRT!! Not sure whether to stop or carry on

Life saving.

@GC12345 how is your tinnitus now? I have been on patches for circa 18m and my tinnitus has been increasing and is now unbearable and I am thinking about coming off HRT altogether - have you found a solution?

life saving for me

@Coxy0 it’s still there. Been to an ENT consultation and had MRI -normal. She wasn’t convinced about the link with HRT but it started a few days after starting the patches so it must be linked?

Yeah I'd say so for sure! I phoned tinnitus UK and a doctor had actually done some research into it and found that it aggravated some people's tinnitus but helped others. I have woken up on several occasions with leaky ears since being on HRT (patches) and I know for a fact that my tinnitus has been getting progressively worse since being on HRT AND I have actually read about it also affecting men transitioning! Anyways I've decided to come off HRT altogether now (nearly 2 weeks cold turkey) and I had my coil removed the other day (there seems to also be a potential link with progesterone although a coil is localised so maybe that's just linked to the tablet form) Things have definitely improved but my GP reckons it could take 3 months for everything to settle down.

I love it, been on it 18 months, no more hot flushes, night sweats, mood back to normal, most aches and pains have gone.

Also, many women develop tinnitus during pregnancy due to estrogen overload so I'm not sure why doctors are so quick to dismiss this effect with HRT!

How tricky was it yo get prescribed?? Did you just ask gp?

I'm a big fan. I noticed a difference almost straight away after starting patches which is maybe a sign of just how bad things had become. It's not been a smooth ride and things do need tweaked over time. I am currently going through a bad phase and think I might need to tweak HRT but all considered i'd rather be on it than not.