Starting HRT Gel Today

[Chicksville007]

I’m 55 and have not had a period since 2019 so well into the menopause. I didn’t want to start taking it because I always thought I could do without it and just get on with it, as my mother would say.

I've started taking the HRT gel this morning, 2 pumps and applying it to both my upper arms. One pump each arm pumped onto the lid and spread on the skin so I don’t get it on my hands. I also have the tablet that I take with it. I’m on 100mgs of thyroxine daily as well which I take in the evening before bed as it works better for me that way.

How long will it take to see an improvement? Am really hoping that my energy levels increase and my mood improves among many others, sleep and sex drive etc. Has anyone lost weight after taking HRT gel or have they gained weight? Putting more weight on is something that I can’t really afford to do.

I was told that I could take anti depressants but that is so alien to me and to be honest a bit of a shock to be told that.

One pump each arm pumped onto the lid and spread on the skin so I don’t get it on my hands

Use your hands. Just wash them afterwards .

It's wrong you were offered anti depressants. NICE issued guidance for GPs in 2015 that these were not to be used for menopause. GPs seem very out of date.

You might see an improvement in a couple of weeks - everyone is different.

Some women say it causes weight gain but others don't and the science says it doesn't. I'm one of those who hasn't put on weight after years of HRT.

Good luck with it.

Thanks for your quick response. I was hoping that it would be a few days but that’s too optimistic.

I just want to be me again but at 55 I know that won’t happen, if the HRT addresses my above concerns I’d be happy.

It’s excellent, I started a fortnight ago. Two nights of insomnia then I started to
feel delightfully normal
again.

That sounds promising. I really hope it works, I’ve felt so depressed

I noticed a difference after a month.

The gel is very straightforward to use.
Good luck!

I use a small spatula to spread the gel - dispense straight onto the skin. Not because I'm worried about the gel itself on my hands, but because it's difficult to wipe every part of my hands onto my legs before washing them, so some gel is always wasted!

What were the differences you noticed, did you put weight on and how long have you been taking it?

In 2 weeks a difference had been recorded by the doctors surgery. I also had the coil out within days of starting hrt.

I did think anti-d’s were way to go but watching davina I think a 2021 programme said that isn’t the way day after I started hrt.

I did put on a stone in last the first 6 weeks (got of the weight loss waggon) but I could feel it getting out of control if that makes sense. It has been thought provoking and makes me think what happens to even heavier people as I once was. So I’ve upped the daily exercise and got back to medicated weight loss help that I know works for me and have 3lb off in a week.

Periods and cycles barely there. Think I have a 6 months wait until there is any need for reviewing the under active thyroid bloods. (had a decrease in Levo only earlier this year after a long time/stability on higher dose I believe it was trying to tell the medics something)

Just a couple of comments here that may help-
If you're using a spatula there is a chance you're not spreading the gel thinly enough. It should be spread approx over an area just less than the size of an A4 sheet of paper (the previous leaflets in the box used to suggest using the leaflet as a template.) And it's also better to rub it in slightly, which is much harder using plastic.

You do need to be prepared for a 3-month trial which is what's medically advised.

Hopefully you will feel loads better before then but don't worry if nothing happens quickly.

I have been on two pumps oestrogen since (1.5 mg) since April: I’m also on progesterone 14 days of the month, I still have insomnia: do I need to ask for an increase in oestrogen?

Hi again @Chicksville007 I'm 50, nearly two years with mirena coil, a year and a half on the gel (two pumps). My main symptoms were menstrual irregularities hence the coil. I noticed weight gain after this. Probably am up a stone and a half or a bit more since that time. Dress size was ten now twelve.

Other symptoms were palpitations, cold sweats, low blood pressure, low mood, irritability, waking during the night. Also higher cholesterol than previously (from 5 to 8). Dry eyes. Itchiness, dryness, thrush, overactive bladder. I'm on vagifem as well. I've noticed aches and pains making an appearance recently. Hip and elbow sometimes sore.

I feel a lot better and brighter in myself since starting on the gel. Many symptoms have cleared up. Menstrual problems have stopped since coil. I wake up during the night but settle back to sleep. Thrush reoccurs. That's a nuisance. Weight gain is annoying. I find I'm often hungry or experiencing cravings. That's annoying as I eat well. My GP indicates that I should only be on HRT for five years. I'm going to get to that point and see what I'll do then.

I’m to scared of putting more weight on. I think i’d stop if that happens