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Menopause

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Original poster

I’ve just collected my first ever HRT prescription!

47 replies

LostMyUserName · 30/03/2023 14:18

My period also arrived this morning. So many gifts!

In my goody bag I have some tubes of Oestrogel and some packets of 100mg Utrogestan.

Shall I just go for it and apply some gel now?

I know not to start the Utrogestan until day 15 of using the gel and to take it before bed on an empty stomach but it I don’t think there are any such rules about the gel.

OP posts:

Puffinchops · 08/04/2023 19:50

I started on 2, and now using 3 - I went up to 3 to see if it helped with the brain fog, which it hasn't really. BUT even on 2 I've felt so much better in myself, more stable for want of a better word, and even went so far the other day to think I felt happy (which sounds really sad, but I've always struggled so much with hormones and felt like I've been a slave to them for so long - it's almost as if, since starting the HRT, it's made me realise just how much I was affected before, even pre peri). I'm not loving the Utrogestan days so much, feel quite bloated, but prepared to accept that given how much better I feel more generally.

Sorry, that turned into a bit of an essay!

How are you getting on @LostMyUserName ?

Original poster

LostMyUserName · 08/04/2023 21:35

Oh @Puffinchops, I'm sorry to hear how difficult things have been for you.

I felt very zen like for the first few days then I turned in to an angry shouty monster again which was disappointing.

As it's still such early days I'm keeping a diary for the first month to get a better picture. Overall, I'm glad I started it. I felt as if my symptoms were creeping up slowly but then they sped up and everything started to go pear shaped.

OP posts:

GoodbyeErinsborough · 08/04/2023 23:01

JoeCrackers · 08/04/2023 18:06

@LostMyUserName thanks, started this morning so we’ll see how I go

btw footery is like fiddly/awkward but much more satisfying to say 😁

Yep. This.

It's a great word.

GoodbyeErinsborough · 08/04/2023 23:02

A diary is a great idea. Maybe I'll do the same.

I've been a bit emotional today, it's just been a shit day.

Tomorrow will be better

Puffinchops · 08/04/2023 23:16

A diary is a great idea, I think I'll start that too. It's all such a minefield isn't it.

How many pumps are you on, could you try increasing it a bit? I hope you start to feel better soon, it's horrible feeling so irritable and angry.

Marchsnowstorms · 08/04/2023 23:37

I felt better within a week or so. I finally stopped hot flashes & slept all night again

LostMySocks · 08/04/2023 23:42

Slightly off topic but hopefully you all know that you can now get an annual prepayment certificate for HRT prescriptions for the same coat as a double prescription. My careful timing I should be able to make the prepayment certificate cover 5 prescriptions and save 80pounds a year. However note it does exclude some HRT medications.

SarahC50 · 09/04/2023 19:43

Hi there,

I still get periods so I am currently menstruating,I still had terrible PMT and sore breasts. Finding the gel fine and sleeping really well on the utrogestan.

I think it takes a few months for the hrt to kick in so I remain hopeful. How are you feeling on it xx

SarahC50 · 09/04/2023 19:45

My temper is hellish I am really flying off the handle at small things really overreacting it's awful x

WorkingNanna · 14/04/2023 06:55

I've been on HRT for just over a year now. 50mcg Evorel patches every 4 days and 100mg progesterone at night (loving the better sleep). Felt mostly much better but still had repeat UTIs so GP prescribed Estradiol pessaries. Did wonders for my love life and UTI and dryness stopped.
A year on I'm reflecting on the journey I've taken, it's all so bloody debilitating and other life factors got me down so much. Now I feel I'm on much more of an even keel and know what I need to do to stay that way. It's not been easy but accepting its happening and things need to change is key.

custardbear · 14/04/2023 07:17

Not long started patches, yesterday I signed up to a HRT government thing where you pay a one off amount for the years supply 🤩 look into this as it's a way to save money

DustyLee123 · 14/04/2023 07:19

I start bleed on the third day, so it must be doing something by then.

SilkieChick · 19/04/2023 11:06

Wondering how the OP @LostMyUserName and others new to HRT are getting on?

I'm on my last but one patch for the first month and I'm not yet seeing any major improvements. Maybe fewer headaches, but mood still quite up and down, love life is still struggling and in fact my sleep may have got a bit worse?

But I realise it might take some time for things to even out... I guess I'm not one of those women who find it instantly transformative!

JoeCrackers · 19/04/2023 14:54

I’m on day 12 of the gel..don’t think I feel much different. Mood has lifted a bit I think but it’s coincided with some better weather here which always lifts my spirits.
no adverse affects really except some lower abdominal pain on day 3/4 but gone now.
seem to be sleeping better which I’m surprised at as I thought it was the utrogestan that helped with sleep and I haven’t started that yet.

incidentally where is everyone rubbing the gel? I thought I’d read that you shouldn’t put it above your waist but the leaflet says upper inner thigh or outer upper arm

GoodbyeErinsborough · 19/04/2023 21:48

SilkieChick · 19/04/2023 11:06

Wondering how the OP @LostMyUserName and others new to HRT are getting on?

But I realise it might take some time for things to even out... I guess I'm not one of those women who find it instantly transformative!

So I started two weeks ago tomorrow.

I have been a bit up and down, had a terrible day at work yesterday to the point where I almost didn't go back after coming home from work.

I am overly emotional. Really hoping it's all going to settle down a bit soon.

On another note, how on earth do you get rid of the sticky mark? I've tried scrubbing, coconut oil... apart from scraping off my actual skin I can't think of anything else. On the plus side, I am not allergic to the patches, I am allergic to hypoallergenic plasters, micropore, the list goes on... so I was a bit concerned I'd be allergic to these too.

GoodbyeErinsborough · 19/04/2023 21:51

Sorry, meant to say this in my last post.

My chin has COMPLETELY broken out. I had to wear foundation to work today. I usually only wear foundation if I'm out out.

I've always had really good skin, occasionally I would get a wee period spot on my chin but nothing more than that. My dp has really bad skin, she's been on numerous medications etc. so when I complain I get "you have no idea" it's so frustrating.

GoodbyeErinsborough · 19/04/2023 21:52

Wow... sorry everyone.
Hope you're all doing ok? We're in this together

BeverlyBrook · 19/04/2023 22:08

A few drops of olive oil will take the sticky patch mark off your skin.

Passthecake30 · 19/04/2023 23:15

I picked up my first prescription 2 days ago, it took me so long to pluck up courage to contact my docs, one 15min phone call and I’m set with lotion and pills! One pump for the first fortnight moving onto 2. After just the first day I’m sure I woke up less achy.

SilkieChick · 21/04/2023 16:16

Sounds like most of us are having a few ups and downs with it!

I think my mood might be improving as well, I feel a bit less anxious, fewer negative thoughts. I hope that's the hormones kicking in as improving my mental state was one of my main reasons for starting 🤞🏻

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 21/04/2023 19:25

I know not to start the Utrogestan until day 15 of using the gel and to take it before bed on an empty stomach

First time I've heard this. I was told to start using both the gel and utrogestan as soon as possible. I just try and take them at the same time everyday to keep hormone balance more or less similar.

MrsTLep · 27/04/2023 18:25

Ladies. Menopause........

I started HRT last year prescribed by doctor after a short phone consultation.

After 9 months, I'm angrier then ever, can't sleep and tired constantly. Has anyone tried any natural products ?

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