Starting HRT today - a little nervous!

[newnamenellie]

I've been prescribed Oestrogel and Utrogestan after seeing my GP for perimenopause symptoms recently. Today is the first day of my period so I'm going to start using the gel today.

I've read the leaflets in both medications and found them pretty terrifying! I haven't used hormones for a long time, used to take combined pill then was switched to mini pill because of blood pressure issues. Stopped taking that twenty odd years ago and have been 'hormone free' since then.

I've discussed my blood pressure and other concerns with my GP. I also have a heart condition but have been assured that I'm okay to start HRT. The symptoms I'm hoping to control are brain fog, poor sleep and low mood, especially just before my period. I also get random hot flushes although this is bearable.

I've been told to start on two pumps of Oestrogel, but I'm actually thinking I may just start one and see if that has any effect. I'm mainly worried about the progestogen phase as I have no idea how I will tolerate oral progestogen and have read that a lot of people struggle with it.

What are your experiences of his regime?

I’m on gel and a coil. I only use one pump, as I was nervous too, but it has helped me. I use it because I wasn’t bothered about going out anywhere, just couldn’t see the point, preferred sitting at home. Now I’m going out shopping and for coffees like I used to.

Thanks @DustyLee123 that's good to hear. That's exactly how I feel sometimes, so any improvement with that will be a start!

I too have a heart condition and was given the ok for HRT in June. I was prescribed two pumps of the oestrogel and two utrogestan tablets to take on days 14 to 26 of my cycle. My periods have been quite erratic for the last 18 months so it was difficult to know when this was. But I found the dose of utrogestan was too high for me. It felt like the PMT of years ago. I was like a basket case! The doctor suggested I come off all together. I did try that for a couple of days but suffered terrible headaches. I then saw a private menopause doctor. She suggested I take just one pump of gel and one utrogestan tablet all the time, this is much better for me. But then, this is likely because my periods had all but finished. So it does take a bit of time to find out what works for you.

Coil and gel here, started on 1 pump and glad it didn’t go higher to start with, I could feel it in my head! But saw it as reaching all the parts that had long since had oestrogen, so a good thing. Increased to 2 pumps after 3 months/
The info in the leaflets is long since out of date.

@CrystalMaisie @fluffy71 thank you both. That's really helpful. I will definitely start with one pump this evening. I was looking at using the utrogestan vaginally (apparently that's what quite a lot of people do - just pop it up there!), so I may consider that if I find any issues with taking it orally.

hi I’m using the gel an the Utrogestan but when I’m taking the Utrogestan I feel like my anxiety is horrendous each time I use this waiting for gp to advise can I just stop and use the gel again

Hi, I started on one pump as well and moved up to 2 after about 6 weeks. I was too anxious to start on two.

Please don't be anxious but I was just the same and had it sitting in my cupboard for ages before took it. Am on same hrt as you, take the utrogestrone vaginally as I reacted awful to it orally and had so many side effects could not function, bloated, felt zonked out and so low, made my skin awful and have good skin, felt so bad. Taking it vaginally stops most of the side effects. Do start with the hrt you were advised as you have to have the balance of both hormones or it can affect your period. Am 54 and still getting periods and on hrt two years and recently switched to continuous as you can do that if you hrt more than a year and seems to be working better as no surge in hormones as take 1 tablet of utrogestrone nightly instead of 2 weeks of a surge of it. Hormones more balanced now. You won't believe how quickly it helps brain fog, hot flushes etc. You may also get pains in breasts but that settles after a bit so don't be alarmed. I read so much stuff as doctors did not seem to know or give any info at all. Good luck to all the ladies starting it. Also make sure get bloods checked yearly and ask for thyroid check also as I was absolutely drained and have thyroid issue. This can usually come on around this age so good to have regular full blood check. Take care and you will be fine, also you may have to tweak it a bit in the future as what works now may change.

Thanks for all your messages, good to know we have similar anxieties around these things!

@BOOTS52PollyPrissyPants I started with one pump yesterday stand then one this morning. I was planning to just start on one pump initially, although it did cross my mind that I might need to adjust the utrogestan accordingly.

Has anyone started on one pump when they were prescribed two and if so what did you do about utrogestan dose?

Im definitely going to take it vaginally as I’ve only heard negative reports about taking it orally!

@Mavy21 sorry to hear you’re not getting on with the utrogestan. I think you need some form of progreso alongside the oestrogen as it protects the womb. Maybe look into taking it vaginally? I think you can just use the oral capsules as pessaries. That’s my plan!

I was on a low dose Evorel patch (oestrogen only as I have no uterus) for many years and felt great. At the age of 60 I was told it could not be prescribed for me any more and have been feeling crap ever since.

Because of urinary symptoms I have now been prescribed Ovestin vaginally and it is working for this. I am basically back on HRT by a different route. Sigh.

Yes seems to be every time I'm takin the tabs my anxiety is really bad which I'm taking medication for is like to know if you can take the gel every day ? No drs appointment as off yet just trying to cope with this don't think I'm going to take the tabs tonight when I stopped them last time this happened my anxiety calmed right down again making me worse trying to get a straite answer from the gps last time I seen them hitting 3 months now and seems this is a pattern again I'm
Tempted just do to the gel tonight and see how that goes as my friend takes it every day

I took 100 mg utrogestan nightly with one pump gel, same with 2 pumps, as advised by doc.

Thanks @Oakiedoakie I’m on sequential as still have periods, so was prescribed 200mg per day for 14 days of my cycle

I started on one pump for a few weeks then upped to two and am now settled on three almost two e months later. I take the utrogestan for twelve days a month. No issues with it tbh. I sleep much better on those days.
HRT hasn't been a magic wand although my symptoms weren't that bad to start with. Happy sticking at three pumps. Am 51 and still bleeding although they come when they want.

*twelve months later

I was originally prescribed 2 pumps but the gp agreed I could start with one, maybe check with yours if the utrogestan dose is still the same. 2 pumps is the standard starting dose but people do start lower.

I started Utrogestan and Oestrogen gel on Friday last week and I feel like a new women. I'm sleeping for the first time in 2 years and my anxiety surges have gone. So far I'm hailing it a miracle. I just hope it lasts. Good luck

Yer 2 pumps 14 days then the tabs for 14 days it's every time I take the tabs the anxiety is awful I'm going to not take it tonight as a test an see if I feel the same tomorrow 🙈 I just feel so different with the gel but as I'm still having periods an was diagnosed as peri 7 years ago I get why we must take the tabs this chat is really helpful as I'm driving everyone up the wall asking people what they think no gp for 2 weeks I
Was told today will have to go in an insist someone sees me thank you ladies ❤️

I'm on the pump and Utrogestan too. Stick with it, it will take approx 6-8 weeks before you start seeing any positive effects. Stick with it, it does get better x