Oestrogel: how many pumps/dose changing with age??

[Mrbumpssmile]

I'm on 3 pumps (2 night, 1 morning). I was on 2 and happy for about a year and a half, then went up to 3 about six months ago because I was having pms-like symptoms (mainly randomly feeling tearful or low moods).

The pms-like moments have gone, but I now have apparently randon fatigue. Real fatigue, as in, feel heavy, like sitting up is an effort. Sometimes I just have to lie down for an hour or so in the afternoon.

I suspected depression, because on holiday in the sun I was suddenly ok swimming in the sea and walking loads. I don't feel depressed about anything, though: things are pretty good in my life in general.

I take a multivitamin and extra vitamin D; blood tests show everything's fine.

So my question is: could it be too much oestrogel causing the fatigue (I read on Mumsnet that it's not true that we can have too much)?

Or would it be a good time to try 4 pumps and see if that helps? I'm 48, no idea where I am in perimenopause as I have the mirena.

Just to add, have been to GP, potential medical causes of fatigue have been checked and all seems fine, no other symptoms, so I'm guessing it's menopausal. My sleep isn't great but it's infinitely better since starting hrt — I now get about 7 hours a night, waking up twice for loo during that, but getting back to sleep ok. Luxury compared to before!

I doubt anyone can tell you the answer. Everyone is different. I've never needed more than 2 pumps but I didn't start HRT till post meno (almost) in my 50s.
Some younger women do need a higher dose.

I've always been advised by my consultant that although HRT is great for many women, it's not a silver bullet and rather than looking to higher and higher doses, sometimes other things - lifestyle- can be what's missing.

Exercise is the main one - are you getting outside every day to exercise? Picking up on the fact you felt better on holiday /outside etc.
And also diet- no refined rubbishy carbs and sugar etc. There's a lot of increasing evidence that gut health is linked to mental health. (the website Zoe has info and a few features on menopause and diet.) Worth a read!

Thank you for replying! Yes — I get an ok amount of exercise (possibly low for Mumsnet, but I'm way more active than anyone I know in real life: average 10,000 steps a day, gym 2-3 times a week, yoga once or twice a week) and am outdoors a lot, with DC and for work. I do eat too much carb/sugary stuff, but not tooooo much. Vegetarian, lots of fruit and veg.

I hear what you're saying about it not necessarily being about upping the dose. Was just wondering whether I should try 4 pumps because I read on here recently that younger women need higher. Before I read that, I assumed I'd need more in my 50s, so was saving the higher dose for then!

I found testosterone helped with the fatigue, and gave me my 'get up and go' back. I already had a Mirena and use 2 pumps of Oestrogel a day. If I use more than that I just get sore boobs! I'd been on HRT for 2 years before adding T into the mix. I'm mid-50s, though.

When did you start hrt, may I ask? I'm interested in testosterone but last time I had a gynaecology phone call (nhs) the doctor said I must have high testosterone already because I'm hairy...despite not having seen me or tested! (I am hairy, but it's likely genetic (much of the world's population is darker and hairier than northern Europeans!).) So she wouldn't prescribe it.
I would like it has my brain fogginess could do with some help, too!

You’ve got to say you have low libido to get T prescribed.

The fact that your partner might go on a sex deprived rampage is what ’allows’ you the T prescription….

crazy isn’t it?

Yes — not the brain fog, sleepless nights, lack of energy and low motivation...nor the fact that testosterone is necessary for females to function, not just males!

I'll try asking about it again when I can get an appointment at the menopause clinic. Thank you. :)

@Mrbumpssmile I was on HRT for 2 years before seeking to try testosterone. Although the brain fog and low energy was a bit better on Oestrogel & Mirena, I had to say low libido was a problem in order to get the prescription, even though that wasn't the main reason I wanted to try it. Now I have it, I really won't want to give it up!

Does it help with brain fog and tiredness? What would you say are the effects? (And does it make you hairier?!)

As I mentioned in my other post, it gave me back my 'get up and go'. I am finding it is also helping with the brain fog and tiredness. I just have more energy and motivation all round, really.

Side effects? Well, I'm not any hairier. I do get a touch of acne if the levels are too high. That's the hardest part, trying to balance the right amount to take, because you have to measure out a small blob each day from a tiny sachet (which should last about a week). You need the blood tests to make sure you're not taking so much that you get irreversible side effects, like a lower voice.

Ah ok, I didn't know that, about the amounts. That sounds quite tricky. Thank you for warning me!