If I didn’t get on with the coil will I be ok with HRT?

[ratticus4]

I’ve been prescribed HRT (utrogestan and estradot) but have yet to start. My periods finished in October after years of being heavy and every three weeks (bar a very heavy - final hurrah?!? - one in January).

I have no major menopause symptoms and was given the prescription over the phone by a male GP after a 5 minute consultation. The reason I asked for the appointment was because I am very concerned about osteoporosis having seen my mother and my maternal grandmother shrink and become twisted. He said he would prescribe HRT for osteoporosis.

My friends who rave about HRT also raved about the coil but I was miserable with it - tearful, anxious and depressed - and had it removed after 18 months. I’m reluctant to go back there so hoping to hear from those who are happy on HRT but also didn’t get on with the coil.

just To clarify, you’re talking about the hormonal coil, not the copper coil?

Yes, the mirena coil

Hello
I had the mirena coil and has really bad anxiety and irritability/restlessness. I had it removed after three years, about seven years ago.
I went on HRT last year , the progesterone almost immediately brought on the feelings I had with the mirena. I stopped the HRT and the anxiety went. So it was a real issue for me.
disclaimer, I have had anxiety and hypervigilence in my life for different reasons. But the HRT response was exactly like the Mirena, and did stop as soon as I came off HRT.
sorry, I don’t know what the answer is. For me, not having the anxiety was too important but I understand the osteoporosis is a worry…

I am on my second month of utrogestan and it has no impact on me.

But the pill made me have horrendous thoughts.

So maybe utrogestan will be fine as its a body identical hormone rather than synthetic.

I was the same with Mirena, so doctor gave me Livial (Tibolone).

My GP described it as an HMT Hormone Mimetic Therapy.

It seems to behave as estrogen where you need that, testosterone where that's needed etc.

I've been great on it. I'm actually worried I'm going to be told I need to stop at some point, which I don't want!!

Can you see a menopause specialist? Mine is worlds apart from my gp in the depth of her knowledge on these issues. We’ve had to tweak my meds and dosages a few times.

Thanks for your replies. I have been tempted to see a menopause specialist but have only seen the Louise Newson ones and the prices…!

It’s difficult as without any menopausal symptoms at the moment I don’t feel I have a valid reason for taking it beyond the osteoporosis concerns.

I’ve had a quick read up (on mumsnet) about Tibolone and that is a largely negative response to that but good to hear you’re getting on well with it, lborgia.

I found Utrogestan too dopey at first so took it vaginally (exactly the same dose) when I first started hrt. The oestrogen really helped lift mood and sleep.

So you could try that I imagine it will be 12 days out if 28 or a calendar month?

After nearly a year and higher patches I went to continuous but found I needed the Utrogestan orally the and indeed it helped with sleep and possibly aches and pains too. I was also finding the oestrogen was increasing water retention horribly without it (but I'm on thyroxine too so could be some sort of factor). I'm now on slightly higher patch again and double the Utrogestan and find it absolutely fine :)

I only tried the combined pill in my 20s and was horrifically depressed (and it triggered hypothyroidism so I've never tired any sort of hormonal contraception since.)

I think a lot if hrt is a balancing act and you do need to give things enough time to kick in. You may need more oestrogen to counter the progesterone etc.

Just seen this - I’m really interested, I’m glad I didn’t think to MN search it before I started taking it!

I remember looking at the mirena after a few weeks, and being relieved that I wasn’t the only “crazy” one imagining symptoms

I had mirena and it made me absolutely murderous with rage all the time. I hated it so much and had it out after about 18 months. I’m in month three of HRT (Lenzetto and Utrogestan) and have been absolutely fine (and much less down and angry than I was before I started the HRT.

I was on a patch/Utrogestan combination for a few months. I am sensitive to progesterone and the others all gave me crippling migraine and dangerous mood swings. The Utrogestan was really good for me, the only inconvenience is the gap needed between eating and taking it.
I was then persuaded by a consultant to have the Mirena. That was fitted in September and it has been hell for me.
I've had it taken out this morning and am going back to the Utrogestan.