Still having periods (51) - been on HRT for 2 months but no improvement

[IsidoraTheFool]

I'm on HRT at the moment to see if it will cure my bone crushing fatigue that appears to have come out of nowhere.

I still have regular monthly periods, usually get sore breasts a week before my period and can tell when I ovulate. I've been on HRT for around 2 months and I'm not noticing a difference and have ramped up to the highest dose I can have (4 squirts of gel, 200mg progesterone days 12-26). I went back and the doctor has decided to run a blood test to check if I'm absorbing the oestrogen (because they have a reference number from a blood test I had pre HRT).

Is this a normal issue? Has anyone had absolutely no difference with HRT?

Do you mean difference with your fatigue or stopping periods?
I'm 53 and on the bi-phase HRT too. It's improved my anxiety and insomnia, not so noticeably the fatigue, but definitely some improvement.

yes sorry I meant the fatigue

@IsidoraTheFool it can take 3 months to feel any benefit, it is not an overnight fix unfortunately

Would you not expect some sort of benefit after 2 months though? I will wait another month but it doesn't feel hopeful!

Just wondering if anyone else has seen no benefit at all after 2+ months?

I'm just starting month 4 and the only benefits I've noticed are a reduction in the night sweats and anxiety, slightly less brain fog (I feel like I'm concentrating better at work). Other than that no difference in fatigue so I'm just about to increase the estrogen.

Thanks @AugustRose

Apparently the blood tests show I am absorbing the oestrogen but my testosterone is very very low so I'm hoping the specialist will give me some of that. I am so desperate I will try anything!

Glad the brain fog is improving for you - that must be a relief

Thank you. I have a colleague who's testosterone was very low and has had some improvement since starting to take that too. Just a shame it has to be a private prescription when it's a main part of our hormone makeup.

Good luck with improving the oestrogen dose, I hope it works for you

I mean increasing not improving!

I don't know if the blood tests will tell you much TBH.
I've had that same conversation with my consultant (who is a hormone expert) and they say that single blood tests for estrogen are pretty useless (and would need to be done constantly over 24 hours.)
Likewise for the one you had at the start.

Have they tested you for anemia or your thyroid?
You really need a full blood count.

I've had all the done. Nothing wrong with me on paper. I'm hoping testosterone will do the trick if I can ever get the prescription :). Latest test showed v low testosterone but tbh I recall a test done after my 2nd child (so many decades ago) by a doctor who was doing research into hormones (I gave birth at a teaching hospital) and him commenting on my testosterone being low then so I don't think it's suddenly got low, I suspect it's been low my whole life.

I got testosterone from NHS GP. She didn't hesitate to check my levels and prescribe it for me.

I had no detectable levels of T, I've got loads more energy now.

I hope it has the same impact for you OP.

@Droolylabradors thank you so much for your message. I'm so glad it worked for you! Fingers crossed it has some impact on me!

Just wanted to come back and update in case anyone else reads this. So almost 3 months in and they agreed to give me testosterone. Only 3 days in and I already feel a difference. Whether it's the combination of the 3 hormones or just the testosterone I don't know but if anyone else reads this, don't give up if you're not one of the lucky ones where it works straight away and thanks to everyone on this thread for giving me encouragement. I was so close to giving up and I'm so glad I didn't!

I know this is ages after you posted, but I just wanted to say thanks for giving me hope! I've been struggling with worsening fatigue now for months and I'm hoping to start HRT soon. I will mention to GP also about testosterone. Hope you're still feeling better!