Only two options?

[lordloveadog]

I have a question about treatment options.

I went to a gynecologist today. I’m mid-40s and need contraception as well as hormone treatment. At the moment I take the minipill, ie progesterone-only contraceptive pill.

Was told I have 2 options: 1) I can switch to a mirena coil plus estrogen spray; 2) I can take progesterone 14 days a month plus estrogen spray, but that won’t prevent pregnancy.

I’m reluctant to have a coil because so many bad stories, and because minipill means I don’t have periods, which suits me because they were very painful.

Is it true that there are no other options?

Feeling rather defeated, so very grateful for advice.

Thank you!

Did you go to the dr privately - because most women in the UK aren't sent to a specialist just for HRT on the NHS?

Just asking as they seem to be a bit unaware of other options.

Lenzetto spray is just one option for estrogen. You could use Oestrogel instead (which is what most women have unless they choose a patch.)

If your specialist is experienced in meno/HRT they should know that a larger dose of the mini pill (I think it's 3 a day) works alongside estrogen as part of HRT (this is off licence). I was offered this for various reasons (not the same as you) but decided to choose something else.

The other options are 2 of the newer CCP like Zoely or Qlaira which are sometimes offered to younger women as work a bit like HRT, having a more natural estrogen.

Thank you so much, that’s really helpful.

I’m not in UK at the moment, so here I was able to go straight to a gynecology clinic. It was recommended to me for menopause, but I saw a different dr from the specific recommended one. And I was a bit thrown by him being a man, which I hadn’t expected, so I wasn’t fully on the ball.

Need someone who’s more willing to explore options.