Designing my own HRT regime

[Newlywednearly50]

Hi
I think I’m post menopausal, no periods this year but I’ve been on hrt apart from a 2 month break in the summer but the symptoms came back with a vengeance.
i currently take 2 pumps estrogel each morning and 1 utrogestan at bedtime. However, I wonder if I need this much estrogel? I’m only 5ft 3 so why do I need lathe same as someone who’s 5,10?! I asked my doctor but she said she didn’t know and I could try if I wanted to.. Estrogen makes me bloated with MASSIVE boobs and I breakout a lot 😭.. I need to be on hrt but I just want find a good level.
Also should I take utrogestan for just 25 days or everyday? I’ve never had such a confusing regime that gps don’t really understand either. Thanks

I am not aware of any correlation between height, or weight, and estrogen requirements.

I don't think it works like that. You are simply replacing what you had before, although HRT doesn't restore the previous levels (it's only a fraction of what we have.)

There is no rule that you have to use 2 pumps. That is guidance on the leaflet as to what suits most women. If 1 pump works for you, use that!

If you are post menopause, then the Utrogestan dose is 100mgs daily. The 25 days has pretty much changed now. Most drs will tell you to use it daily, and that ties in with both hormones daily in tablet and patch forms (for post menopausal regimes.)

The 3-day break is/ was there to allow a short withdrawal bleed( if it was going to happen but it rarely does )- which is why it's been changed in practice.

If you are not post menopausal- and it's hard to know as you have been on HRT for part of peri- you may get spotting or occasional bleeds on a continuous regime. There is no way of knowing- you'll find out in time!

2 pumps is usually the starting dose for the gel. I'm not sure that this has anything to do with height.

I was about to type more but see that @JinglingXmasbells has responded. 👍

2 pumps is just a guide. It's 1.5mgs of estrogen. This is considered a medium dose. Tablets start at 1mg and go up to 2mgs. Some estrogen-only patches are very low and the same as half a pump of gel.

The 'problem' with GPs and HRT is that they aren't, on the whole, experienced enough to make suggestions 'off label'.

My consultant told me to start on half a pump and work up to what suited me. I've settled on 2 pumps as it's for bone protection as well, for me, and that's the dose needed.

Also, @Newlywednearly50 breast increase is linked to how many estrogen receptors are in your breasts. This is nothing to do with height but 'how you are'!

Thanks for the replies. I’m going to drop to one pump and see how I go.
interesting re breast receptors and worrying as my sister had estrogen receptive breast cancer at 38. Sadly after 10 years it came back, she’s 60 now but living with cancer rather than getting better. for me I know when I not putting extra estrogen in to to my body my breasts drop a cup size which is more comfortable- I’m currently a DD.
i wish there was more investment in to menopause. Eg why do we get hot flushes, no one seems sure!

First day of trying one pump of estrogel and already lightly spotting… I mu got be dumb but I thought it was a fall in progesterone that made you bleed? I’ll persevere and report back!