Peri or post? WWYD?

[abouttoturn50]

I've posted a few times regarding HRT and had great advice so I'm back again.

I struggle with progesterone, it affects me badly mentally.

I've had failed attempts with Evorel Sequi which was great until I got to the Conti (progesterone part) where I had awful anxiety and panic.

I then had the Mirena which nearly sent me over the edge despite already having one up to a couple of months before this one was put in.

I've asked for Ustrogen to use either 3 monthly or vaginally but my GP won't do either without Gynae back up so I have asked to have the Ustrogen to take orally even though I intend to use it vaginally.

My confusion now is she is classing me as post menopausal as the only bleeding I've had over the last 6 years was when I had the original coil out and when I had the next one put in (mid April) nothing since. But surely the original coil was stopping my periods?

Anyway she has prescribed me continuous HRT so Evorel 50 patches and 100mg Ustrogen to be taken every night. Will this be okay even if I'm not post menopausal?

I hope this all made sense! This HRT stuff confuses the hell out of me 🤣

Would you take the utrogesten everyday or just for 2 weeks of the month? I'm really worried about getting anxious and low again!

It depends how old you are.
80% of women have no natural cycle by 54.

If you are much younger you may still have periods.

You can try using Utrogestan daily.

If you are post meno (which you don't know) you can expect spotting for up to 6 months.

if you are still in peri, you might get your own periods as 100mgs is not always enough to keep the lining thin( when you also have a fertile cycle.)

TBH I'd try it daily for a month and see how you feel.

If you can't handle it, go back to sequi using it 12 days a month.

@JinglingSpringbells Thank you. I turned 50 last week. Just wish I didn't have this anxiety around the progesterone. Anxiety about anxiety 🤦🏼‍♀️ Just gonna have to bite the bullet and see what happens!

@JinglingSpringbells I've been trawling through progesterone intolerance posts for the last hour, (insomnia is shit, can't remember the last time I slept well!!) and I came across another comment from you...

"You could consider using estrogen only from now (today!) for several weeks to see how that benefits your mood. This will give you the time and space to evaluate it and maybe find a different consultant (or go back to the previous one) and see how you are."

Im thinking I might go with this and see if the oestrogen does help before I try the Ustrogen as I've never had it more than a couple of weeks. I've read magnesium helps with sleep too but obviously don't want to try both or I won't know if the oestrogen is helping.

@abouttoturn50 I don't know if that 'advice' I gave on that post would be best for you- it was intended for that poster. I can't remember who I said that to!

Using estrogen only(for a few weeks) is usually done under a specialist. It's usually safe for someone in peri as without HRT they'd be having longer cycles anyway so it's just replicating that. It's also an option for women who are very intolerant to all progestins but again, with supervision which usually means a scan every now and then.

Being honest, if you imagine something awful is going to happen on Utrogestan you're going to get yourself so worked up that it will be a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Be aware that the 'horror' stories online are a biased sample of experiences. Women who feel fine rarely bother to come to forums to post!

I've used Utrogestan for around 10 years, after swapping from Norethisterone (as a separate tablet with gel, not in a patch). I've never had anxiety with either and although Utrogestan orally makes me a bit sleepy first thing in the morning (I use is vaginally mainly) it's never been a big deal.

I'd suggest you park your thoughts of anxiety or even change them to 'This is going to be fine!' and not anticipate anything bad.

@JinglingSpringbells I know I have to tell myself it will be okay. I've always had health anxiety. It's awful. My anxiety has been terrible since I lost my partner 18 months ago in extremely traumatic circumstances (don't want to upset anyone by saying how) and I'm just trying to get my life back together.

I'm making a real effort with healthy eating and being more active over the last couple of weeks so maybe that alone will help? 🤷‍♀️