New to HRT

[Sweetie1980]

Hello , I have been reading this forum and find it very helpful .
I am on day 12 of taking Oestrogel (2pumps) and Utrogestan (on day 9 ) . It was helping me massively with sleep but last night I was awake a lot due to joint pain. I am also feeling very dizzy in the daytime . I tried to take the ultroestan Vaginally but this gave me stomach pain and constipation. My mood is also very low . I probably need to give it more time but am wondering if this is normal at the start ? I am 46 and still have periods , they have got closer together this year and only last a couple of days with just spotting after . I didn’t experience night sweats , just insomnia , brain fog , depression and anxiety and mood swings . And my concentration is awful ! Did anyone experience this and it got better with time ?
thank you

It takes time to settle down.

The stomach pain is more likely your uterus being 'stimulated' by the Utrogestan as it does its work. Constipation can happen with all /any progesterone, even orally. It doesn't sound as if you have given either route- oral or vaginal- much time if it's just 9 days. It's best to stick with one route for at least 1 cycle and see how that feels. The dizziness- are you drinking enough water when you take them to make sure they dissolve fully overnight? Dizziness is a listed side effect but it can be reduced if you have at least 8 hours after taking them and getting up the next day - the longer the gap the better.

It's a good idea to increase your fluids on those days, as well as more fruit, veg and wholegrains (get to more than 5 a day for fruit/veg if you can.)

It may take 3 cycles or more to settle down and it's very early days to be looking for improvements in your mood etc. 12 days is a very short time, so persevere!

Good luck.

Thank you Jingling, this is very helpful . I will stick with taking it orally for a while . I am probably not drinking enough at night ti should waking up for the loo so I will increase my intake . Do you know the best way to apply the gel ? I applied it to inner thighs last night as am paranoid when I give my little girl a cuddle at night she may absorb some if on my arms , crazy I know 😃it’s my peri anxiety