Anxiety and fatigue on HRT

[TwinklyPeachScroller]

I have been on HRT for a year now and it’s been tweaked a few times (am 50). I was doing ok on Provera as Utrogestan was awful. I have always struggled with PMDD so think am very sensitive to progesterone. This month I took Provera for the 12 days and 3 days later am still extremely anxious, intrusive thoughts, exhausted and sleepy, very low mood. I also take 20mg Fluoxetine long term to cope with lifelong CPTSD. Could it be the HRT affecting the Prozac or needing an increase of dose? Am thinking about coming off HRT altogether. Anyone else suffered this?

HRT isn’t the one fixes all that people think it is. Sometimes you need to add/ do other things too.
If you’re sensitive to progesterone I wonder if a mirena coil would be better, as it’s a low dose and continuous?
For energy I’d suggest taking a vitamin B complex, and some magnesium glycinate to help you sleep better.

Thank you for your reply. Think it might be time to increase my antidepressant.

To be honest, it might work better to look at increasing the estrogen in the HRT.

I can't comment of course on the reasons for your PTSD but Dr Louise Newson (see her website - Balance) feels very strongly that ADs have no place in menopause treatment and don't help. I appreciate that your PTSD preceded menopause.

I agree with the PP that if you've tried Utrogestan and Provera, and no others, there are many more types of progesterone out there.

Did you ever use utrogestan vaginally? Doing it that way avoids the nervous system and the mood swings.

I do feel much much better in the Estrogen cycle and wish I could take it all the time!!! I felt just as bad with utrogestan vaginally. GP said next option would the coil but am scared I would be just as sensitive to that. Today riddled with heat palpitations headache and anxiety and can’t wait to get the gel on tomorrow.

Today riddled with heat palpitations headache and anxiety and can’t wait to get the gel on tomorrow.

Can you explain? Or have I misunderstood @TwinklyPeachScroller

Oestrogel is used every day.
You don't stop it when using progesterone for 12 days.
If you're not using it every day, you will feel unwell.

I imagine you were checked when it is prescribed for interactions and then monitored how you are going within the early months.
My combination works...Fluoxetine and my hrt.
I have half a extra fluoxetine for my period which I have never taken to compare, this was prescribed before I went on hrt.
I think what ever stage or meds you are wondering about needs a gp visit.

I thought gel was for 14 days then progesterone for 12, break for 3 days and repeat?

No wonder you're feeling odd.

Has your GP given you misinformation?

It's estrogen every day- 365 days a year.

Then you add 12 days of progesterone in for the month. Most specialists consider it okay to do 12 days per month which means a whole month.

For example, if your 12 days started on 1st October, the next 12 days would be 1st November.

You don't have a 3-day break from any of these.

It's Estrogel daily (2 pumps is the usual dose) and 12 days of progesterone (whether that's Utrogestan or Provera.)

I’m progesterone intolerant and Utrogestan (vaginally) and the Mirena coil both made me depressed, bordering on suicidal. I now take Cyclogest, prescribed by Louise Newson’s clinic. Unfortunately my GP won’t prescribe it (it’s off licence for HRT) but I’m considering looking for another GP who will, as I’m pretty unhappy with my GP anyway. I take it alongside Oestrogel, for 12 days a month.

I’ve just read your later messages, and it might just be the lack of oestrogen causing your anxiety. If I were you I’d try using the oestrogen gel every day and see how you are on that regime, before you look at changing the progesterone.

You have to use estrogen daily. It's not an option to use it for only half the month.

Someone has given the OP the incorrect info.

I feel so so stupid! I have listened to the advice here and did full research and will be adopting a 2 pumps at same time of Estrogel EVERY day 🤦🏻‍♀️ and Provera am and pm from 9th of the month for 12 days. I can see now exactly where all my issues have been coming from. Thank you so much everyone. It seems my brain fog is worse than I thought!