HRT is making me feel worse - is this normal?

[FestiveRobin]

I am about to turn 51 and have regular periods. I have long covid and was diagnosed with osteopenia in my 20s and have a history of heart problems in my family.

I have had no menopause symptoms - if anything I would say my mood has been improving.

It has been recommended I go on HRT to protect against osteoporosis and heart disease and I agreed to try it.

It's been a week now - oestrogel pump x2 in the morning and utrogestan x2 in the evening and it is making me feel quite weepy. Watching Mog last night and I nearly cried fgs. I want to stick it out as apparently this is the best thing for my bones and heart but is this normal? Doctor and specialist said give it 3 months but I wanted to check whether others have felt the same.

Oestrogen is known as the caring hormone. That’s why it’s actually fairly common in menopause for women to suddenly feel like they want to go and live alone / with cats / fuck everyone off as their oestrogen levels drop. I had the same reaction as you when I started HRT - I persevered and it did even out.

Thanks @Pigeonqueen that gives me hope. I don't want to give up so early when I know this will help at some point argh!

I won't watch anything too tear jerking this Christmas I think

I started slowly, one pump for a few months before progressing to two. Maybe cut down to one and see how you get on.

It took a while for me to get settled on it - I think I had to try three before I found one that suited me.

If you have no ordinary menopause symptoms, then I'm surprised they put you on HRT anyway - who recommended it? You can manage a lot with diet. There's plenty of calcium in dairy and leafy greens, and unless you have a history of osteoporosis in the family, then maybe you don't need to bother with medication.

There's a big history of osteoporosis and heart disease in my family and as I have osteopenia already, this is seen as the best defence apparently. My mum died in her 60s, her sister in her 30s.

I don't have to do it - totally my choice - but I did research the benefits and the specialist I got referred to did say I was the perfect candidate for its benefits.

Thanks @LuckyCharmz - wasn't sure if it was the oestrogel or the utrogestan making me feel funny!

Double check the utrogestan dose is correct, the normal daily oral dose is 100mg. You might get on better with a different form of progesterone.

I agree, that is a high dose of utrogestan if it is the normal strength.

Utrogestan can be taken vaginally ( off licence ) would that help?
Or maybe provera intstead. Utrogestan didn't suit me at all.
I'm on one pump of Oestrogel btw

Ps. The usual dose of Utrogestan is 100 mgs

Thanks - went back and checked it as I took a copy of the prescription and it is utrogestan 200mg days 12-26 of cycle plus oestrogen gel 2 pumps

I think she said it's 200mg as I still have regular periods

Period due on 2nd January so maybe it will start evening out once it starts as I will drop the utrogestan just before then

200mg is the usual dose of utrogestan if you are not post menopausal. I take 100mg but I also take the mini pill as it stops my periods so that provides the extra progesterone I would be taking - if I didn’t take the mini pill I’d be taking 200mg.