PMDD or Peri - Swapped HRT for mini-pill and feel worse!

[Manders19]

I am a 42 year old mum of two (5 and 7 years) and for the last year or so I have been trying to feel 'normal'. I have struggled with fatigue, mood swings (mostly anger, I never cry), brain fog, insomnia, indifference. I have battled and battled to get help - is it long covid, perimenopause, something else? No one knows, so I have just been trying different things.
About 7 months ago I got prescribed progesterone (Provera) and oestrogen (Lanzetto spray) I asked to swap to bio identical progesterone and got prescribed Utrogestan(14 days per month). After a couple of months things did improve, but it was fragile - one bad nights sleep and I was a monster again.

Then the last two months I noticed that my anger was back with avengence when I took the progesterone. I contacted a doctor and she said to dicth the HRT and start on Slinda (drospirenone) a relatively new form or progesterone-only contraception. I am only a week in and have been told to give it 3 months, but I am feeling odd, can't sleep and have achey hips! The thing is... I can't really afford 3 months to be a monster in the hope that things improve. My poor family.

So my question is, should I ditch these pills and go back on the HRT? Has anyone taken the progesterone every other day instead of every day, I read that you can do that if you take it vaginally...?? And what about antihistamines - can they help the possible progesterone intolerance? I have read they can, but honestly I have read so much I don't know right from left anymore.

I am sick of being a guinea pig and just pumping by body full of different stuff in a vain attempt to feel 'normal'! All help and advice is much appreciated. 🙏🏽

When on HRT did you try using the utrogestan vaginally? How long did you try it for? It can take a few for symptoms to settle.
did you feel worse when taking the utrog? X

Hi @Christine0708
Thanks for replying. Initially I did take it vaginally, but when I had a check in after 3 months the Dr said to take it orally as that would help even more with better sleep. But from what I have read vaginally is better when it comes to it's main purpose: of thinning the lining of the uterus. My mum had cervical cancer so this is the most important aspect for me, better sleep is just a bonus.
In the beginning I didn't feel worse on the utrogestan, it was a few months in that I notice that I woke up an angry monster the day after I took the first pill in the cycle. Maybe coincidence? 🤷‍♀️

It’s so hard to balance your hormones. There is the marina coil for progesterone and combi oestrogen / progesterone patches which I found great but wasn’t getting enough oestrogen. Buy yourself Davina’s book ‘Menopausing’. I have learned so much from it, not least (after a blood test) that I have no testosterone and need it! Good luck.

I recently had the same problem - extreme anger and anxiety on utrogestan. I figure I am progesterone intolerant as I also suffered with the pill when I was younger. I switched to vaginal use this cycle and it’s much much better. No rage or anxiety - I felt slightly rubbish for the last 2 days of taking but nothing like previous. The only downside is the sludgy discharge (tmi!) but still worth it. I also started applying the Oestrogel correctly at the same time (rubbing in with forearms not hands so as not to waste any) s ok it cii ok und be that also helped..