Can you still get PMT when you're on HRT?

[SilkieChick]

I’m on my third month of everol sequi and things seem to be settling down, it’s helped with my low mood, racing thoughts, irritability etc, still getting palpitations but probably not as intense as before. I’ve felt energised and sociable and more like my old self.

Period is still settling into a pattern and I’m due a bleed in the next few days I think - but I’ve noticed a bit of a mood shift in the past day or so - just feeling a bit more withdrawn and subdued. I’m hoping this is just a natural part of the new cycle, like the PMT feelings you get before a period, rather than a sign that I need a higher dose of hormones?

Is this normal?

I think so, because your own hormones are still doing their thing in the background. Hrt levels it out a bit but doesn't override your own system completely. That's my understanding, but I may be wrong. However, I've noticed that now I've been on hrt for over a year my PMT is much less. No more sore boobs. I assumed it's because my own hormones are declining more.

I've been on HRT for 9 months now. First 3 months progesterone only made an enormous difference to PMT - much less irritable and felt much lighter physically and mentally than I had been. Introduced 2 pumps oestrogen gel and that was fine. Lighter shorter bleeds. I feel like maybe I wasn't having real periods for for the first few months but now my own hormones have kicked back in so I'm having normal bleeds (though HRT has regulated my cycle). I'm not irritable like I used to be and no physical issues at all... but the new PMT for me is feeling like life is utterly meaningless and hopeless for 48 hours! Going to make an appointment with doctor to talk about changing levels etc. but at least now DH and I know the exact dates when I'm going to feel like this and why I'm feeling like this and that it will pass and that immediately made it easier to handle.

Ok, yes that's a good point @CamelliaAndPrunus about my own hormones, I guess they're still ruling the roost to an extent.

@PiperHarris interesting to know you're still having a PMT experience. You're right though, at least if it's predictable it's a bit easier to deal with.

I've got a follow up with the GP on Monday so I'll raise it then. Still feeling a bit moody - I was enjoying feeling normal again, so hopefully this will be short-lived

Yes. Because HRT is the same two hormones you have naturally.

Would add as well that when I said that for the first few months I didn't feel like these were 'real' periods and just a regular bleed, not only were they lighter and shorter and without the water retention and irritability, my usual pre-bleed ovary/leg cramps had gone too. Now I'm getting the same as pre HRT re: cramps and level/length of bleed. HRT has changed the regularity (my cycle had gone from 27 days to 23 days over the space of a few years but is now 27 every month), and the water retention and irritability has gone. But I feel bleak for 48 hours before the bleed kicks in. The other 25 days I feel fine - not swollen, not irritable, zero UTI/vag/bladder twinges, not depressed, no cramps, sex drive normal with an extra boost around the 12-14 day window.

I still get a headache a few days before my period starts, so I know it's coming.

Thanks everyone! I've felt a bit better again during the past day or so, I guess things are still balancing out so ups and downs are normal.

I'm speaking to the GP today for a follow up appointment anyway so will see what she says.

How did things pan out? I'm on week 8 of HRT (cyclical) and having problems with PMS. Did it eventually settle down? Do you feel better now?

@SammieBM I found that the low mood persisted and started to feel more often like I did before starting HRT so I went back to the GP and she agreed to prescribe a higher dose to see how I'd get on with that. So I'm now on the 75 patches and I think my mood does tend to be more even - though I don't think I can say it's completely sorted all my symptoms. Tbh I'm finding it difficult to say as I'm also suffering with burnout in the midst of a career crisis so I'm pretty sure my mental state is being affected by that too... however I feel generally better on the higher dose patches so I'm going to persist with those for now.

Sorry that's not a more definitive answer - I hope you find things settle down for you. I certainly think it was a good idea to give the first patches some time to settle, and I'm only on the third month of the higher prescription so I'm still in a period of waiting and noticing how I feel before deciding for sure if I'm going to stay on these or if it's worth reducing or increasing the dose again.

Thank you. I so appreciate you taking the time to reply. God bless xxxx