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Menopause

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Original poster

How quickly does HRT work?

12 replies

sheeplikessleep · 07/02/2023 17:51

12 days in after starting Estradiol and Utrogeston.
I thought it was having a positive effect on mood / energy / anxiety but I’m due on tomorrow and I feel crap today … mentally (admittedly I normally get 1-2 weeks of PMT and this month, it feels like days of PMT rather than weeks).
I’m expecting too much too soon aren’t I?
How long was it after starting that you saw a positive affect on energy / mood / anxiety / rage?
Thanks

OP posts:
MiniDinosaur · 07/02/2023 17:53

I felt better within days in terms of energy. I have more pronounced PMT and end of cycle bloating now, but like you, it lasts for less time than before.

Original poster
sheeplikessleep · 07/02/2023 17:55

MiniDinosaur · 07/02/2023 17:53

I felt better within days in terms of energy. I have more pronounced PMT and end of cycle bloating now, but like you, it lasts for less time than before.

Oh that’s interesting, so still get PMT but for less time.

OP posts:
MissSmiley · 07/02/2023 17:56

I slept through the night within 48hrs after having really bad insomnia, palpitations stopped. I didn't have pmt since I had ablation a few years before. Had to increase the dose after a year when night sweats started

anon666 · 07/02/2023 17:58

I honestly thought I had an immediate impact within hours. I felt less "strung out". Probably placebo effect, but still.....

Then again I really think the full benefit took a few months to show. My mood is so much more stable now. It's been 4 months now I think.

The big difference for me was physical in terms of my joints and muscles which were previously agony. Also my sex drive has just about reappeared.

I have had a lifetime of major hormonal mood swings, PMT, PND etc. So I feel your pain. ❤️

AnnaMagnani · 07/02/2023 18:00

For me within days. If I forget a patch change I really know about it.

Original poster
sheeplikessleep · 07/02/2023 18:03

MissSmiley · 07/02/2023 17:56

I slept through the night within 48hrs after having really bad insomnia, palpitations stopped. I didn't have pmt since I had ablation a few years before. Had to increase the dose after a year when night sweats started

Yes my sleep definitely feels better. And I haven’t had palpitation since starting actually (though I was only getting those when I felt very anxious).

OP posts:
Original poster
sheeplikessleep · 07/02/2023 18:07

anon666 · 07/02/2023 17:58

I honestly thought I had an immediate impact within hours. I felt less "strung out". Probably placebo effect, but still.....

Then again I really think the full benefit took a few months to show. My mood is so much more stable now. It's been 4 months now I think.

The big difference for me was physical in terms of my joints and muscles which were previously agony. Also my sex drive has just about reappeared.

I have had a lifetime of major hormonal mood swings, PMT, PND etc. So I feel your pain. ❤️

Yes a week ago, it felt like I was less emotionally strung if that makes sense? Felt more in control and more me again, more decisive.
But now I feel like the very wobbly, teary PMT woman I was hoping I’d feel less of! Maybe I’ll still get the emotional side of PMT but for fewer days.
I took it for the energy/anxiety/rage/tears more than the physical as I don’t get the joint aches.

OP posts:
Original poster
sheeplikessleep · 07/02/2023 18:08

Really interesting that it was quick for everyone as online, I’ve read it can take months.

Whatabout memory improvements? That’s also something that I feel has really been affected for me in recent years, that I’m hoping will improve.

OP posts:
Dogsgottabone · 07/02/2023 18:13

Not quick for me. I'm 5 weeks in and other than sleeping a bit better when I was on the progesterone, I have cried daily for months now.

I'm snapping at everyone. My breasts are a bit firmer and they were sore the first few weeks on estrogen but that's settled now.

I just can't stop worrying and feeling totally helpless about everything. And crying. All the time.

I'm on it mainly because of prolapse and I do think I'm weeing less so that's a positive. Oh and my night sweats are gone.

Original poster
sheeplikessleep · 07/02/2023 18:19

Dogsgottabone · 07/02/2023 18:13

Not quick for me. I'm 5 weeks in and other than sleeping a bit better when I was on the progesterone, I have cried daily for months now.

I'm snapping at everyone. My breasts are a bit firmer and they were sore the first few weeks on estrogen but that's settled now.

I just can't stop worrying and feeling totally helpless about everything. And crying. All the time.

I'm on it mainly because of prolapse and I do think I'm weeing less so that's a positive. Oh and my night sweats are gone.

Sorry to hear that, the crying is shit isn’t it, especially when you feel like there’s no reason for it. I hope the HRT gradually kicks in and the low mood reduces in time. Could you get a quicker follow up appointment booked with GP? Though they will likely say to give it time maybe.

OP posts:
vjg13 · 07/02/2023 22:04

I'm 14 days in and the night time hot flushes every 2 hours seem to have stopped (fingers crossed), I haven't felt the same levels of anxiety or gloomy feeling but they weren't constant. I'm still quite moody and snappy but that's probably my personality!

vjg13 · 07/02/2023 22:05

I was told 3 months to feel full benefits by the prescriber.

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