New to HRT want to hear success stories and pitfalls

[DontshootmyRaptors]

So I am going to be 60 this year, I’ve never taken HRT.
I’ve had hot flashes for the past 10 years now sick of it, plus starting a new relationship first in 12 years, so will need a fully functioning vagina which at the moments is a bit drab and creaky..
I am considering only body identical :

1. bijuve , anyone tried it is it good what’s are the side effects like
2. sandrina or oestrogel gel with ustrogen.
3. should I also ask for a prescription for a vaginal oestrogen or will the oestrogen gel be enough?

I recommend you get ovestin cream vaginal aswell as other hrt. I found the gel/patch wasn't enough. Good luck!

You probably can't use Bijuve as it's tablet form and not recommended for women 60+. you also can't change the dose of estrogen- it's 1mg and that's fixed.

Sandrena evidently takes longer to dry than Oestrogel.

Whatever you start on, start low. So at 60 you'd be advised to use 1 pump of gel for a few weeks not the 'average' of 2.

Vaginal estrogen- yes.

I changed from oestrogel to patches - currently on Estrodot. Patches are so much less hassle than the gel - no standing around in the cold waiting for it to dry and washing you hands and avoiding touching anyone for an hour! I also use vagifem pessaries, which are less messy than the gel.

I think you need to be prepared to try different types and combinations rather than deciding that one particular combination will suit you. Your body won’t necessarily agree with you.

Thanks I’m going to get vaginal pessary, don’t fancy cream

Ok thanks, Have you tried other patches, spoke to my doctor shes advising evorel conti.

I started on Evorel, I think they were Conti, but found they were coming off when I got sweaty while running. The Estrodots are about a quarter of the size and I haven’t had any problems with them coming off.
I am on the maximum dose (100mg) which was 4 pumps of oestrogel - 1 on each arm and one on each leg. The Evorel patch was about 5cm x 5cm whereas the Estrodot one is about 2cm x 3cm.

Oh no, from what I can find on line it says Estradot only do oestrogen only and I need combination hrt

You'd use a separate progesterone with it, the same as with gel or spray estrogen.
If you used gel you'd have to use Utrogestan alongside it.

I should have said I have a mirena for the progesterone.
I did start on utrogestan but
: didn’t like the fact that they are gelatin capsules (I’m vegetarian and there is no equivalent alternative)
: couldn’t be bothered with having to remember to take them every 14 days or whatever
: couldn’t see the point of having to deal with artificially induced ‘periods’. IMO one of the benefits of menopause is NOT having periods!

@MagpiePi There can sometimes be an issue with the Mirena for older women. Insertion can be difficult and the uterus itself shrinks making less space for it. I was offered it in my 50s and didn't want it, and was later told that at 60+ it's not always possible.

I wasn’t aware of the mirena not being suitable for older women. I hope they’ll replace mine when it comes to it!

From what I e been reading you can take utrogestan continually, I am not intending to go back to having a period.

Hello. I’m 41 and have been on hrt since April 2024. Feeling worse by the day and now have anxiety so bad I can’t face going to work.

changed from patches to gel and now awaiting trying the spray. I already take Utogestan 200 nightly. But due to feeling to awful , depressed and anxious, I’m tempted to try low to Prozac too as I can’t risk losing my job.

which combinations have worked for others my age? I’m desperate for some help and advice.

I started three years ago on everol conti. They never came off for me. Went the gym no probs even in the bath. You just have to remember that if you change your patch on a night always change it about half a hr after a bath or shower. They worked really well for my symptoms. I'm now on everol 75 and one progesterone tablet on a night. X