Evorel Sequi - first review with GP after 3 months

[Otins]

I'm 49. I had lots of small peri-menopause symptoms, but not the major brain fog and hot flushes.

Symptoms were:

1. Dry eyes
2. Itchy skin
3. Plantar fasciitis
4. Aching joints
5. General tiredness
6. Aged a lot in 3 years physically
7. Tinnitus in evenings
8. GERD
9. Seeing things from corner of eye
10. Sugar cravings
11. Irritability Eg towards neighbours /noise(in office etc)
12. Noise sensitivity
13. Clumsy/ falling over
14. Definitely slowed down - eg walking

My Dr agreed to HRT and i went for patches - Evorel Sequi. I'm just coming to the end of my first 3 months and have to go back for a review.

It hasn't been the magic cure I thought/hoped it would.

The itching has stopped, - but in a routine blood test I came back as slightly anaemic so have been on iron tablets. Itching is also a symptom of anemia so I don't know if it the HRT or the iron which has helped this.

The plantar fasciitis is much better, but that is about it.

My boobs are really sore and sensitive for about 3 days before my bleed though - they never used to be.

Just wondering if 3 month is too early to tell, or what my Dr is likely to say/suggest when I go for my review next week. Or anything I should be asking?

Thanks

You might need to switch to another sort of HRT but not everything on your list is necessarily peri related.

I'd say 1,4, 5, 10 ,11 are the most 'recognised'.

How much are you doing alongside HRT? The most important is diet and increasing healthy fats (this could help your dry skin and itching).

Also, exercise is very important, either daily brisk walking or doing other aerobic exercise. Women who are overweight, drink or smoke tend to have worse peri symptoms (not saying you do but lifestyle is a really important thing!)

You could try switching from a patch with Norethisterone (2nd half of the cycle) to estrogen and micronised progesterone, or maybe the Mirena coil that will stop the bleeds and might help your anaemia.

Is your reflux being treated with meds and have you talked about your eyes and tinnitus? These could be unrelated to peri. Have your dr offered any help with these?

Following as only one month in and I know its early days. But feeling worse on conti patch. Let's us know how you get on at your review and if you up or change your regime. Would just like to know as this might be me in a few months. Good luck.

Thanks for the replies. I have an appt next week. It's good to know there are other options out there that can be explored.