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Menopause

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Original poster

What is it like to start hrt?

79 replies

NeonSigns · 05/01/2025 11:26

Hello I'm interested in hearing other women's experiences with getting started as I've got the prescription (sequential - patches for oestrogen and tablets for progesterone, lowest doses) but finding it hard to actually make myself start.

I have a lot going on at the end of the month and I'm fearful of being destabilised by side effects etc. I could leave it until after but then I'd probably have to start mid-cycle. My GP said that's ok but there must be a reason you're advised to start between days 1 and 5?. My cycle is all over the place. Next period could be in 25 days, 100 days or anything in between.

I'm lucky that crazy cycle is my only symptom, although that interacts badly with a longstanding migraine problem so I do want the hrt in order to bring some predictability to life. Also for long term bone health etc.

I'd be so grateful to hear other people's experiences of getting started?

OP posts:
CorsicaDreaming · 07/01/2025 23:34

NeonSigns · 06/01/2025 10:57

Thanks I'm finding it so reassuring to read all these experiences. On balance everyone seems to feel some benefit, and only some people have an adjustment period.

A really good point re the continuous progesterone. Perhaps that's where I'll end up.... I am reminded though that I eventually gave up on the mini pill (a decade ago) because whilst it solved the migraines it also killed libido and made me feel kind of flat in a way which I didn't appreciate until I came off it and felt so much more alive! I really don't want to have to banish good sex along with migraines.

I had no idea about taking progesterone vaginally.....is that a special pill or just the regular one....?!

Yes it's just the usually prescribed one. I use a Canesten Combi type applicator - makes it easier to insert - and wash it and dry it. It is a kind of gelatine type coating on them that melts. I think it's better because it gets the medicine to where you need it, not right round your system if you take it orally, which can cause more bad side effects for some people.

NewZealandintherain · 07/01/2025 23:47

No big difference straight away. Sleep improved and my anxiety went away over time. Only negative was sore boobs for the first few months. But that went away.

Go for it! I was scared too but am glad I started.

nervouslandlord · 08/01/2025 19:03

I'm more scared of stopping tbh!

2025mustbebetter · 08/01/2025 19:11

Changed my life within a week! I guess it's different for everyone but I only felt better!

xmaspomanon · 08/01/2025 19:14

How old were you all when you started HRT?

xmaspomanon · 08/01/2025 19:16

NearlyNewHip · 05/01/2025 18:10

Started HRT patches (and two weeks a month of progesterone) 3 months ago. Am 47 and my symptoms were 'the rage' and not being able to sleep for more than 3 hours at a time. Probably a bit of placebo, but slept through after sticking on my first patch. Sleep has been fine since, I still get irritated more easiky than a few years ago but don't want to kill people anymore x

I didn't know rage was a menopause thing. I only thought that was PMDD.

Delatron · 08/01/2025 19:28

I was 48 and my periods had stopped for a few months. Wish I’d started a little earlier but I had a few contraindications so needed to see a specialist.

eyeoresancerre · 08/01/2025 19:39

The first two months I really didn't like HRT (bloating and teary) then month 3 felt better and month 4 and 5 don't notice anything at all but enjoy feeling so much better than before. Definitely worth a go.

eyeoresancerre · 08/01/2025 19:41

Also just in case you didn't know you can get and HRT prescription for £20 and that covers you for HRT for the whole year. Rather than paying a prescription charge every time you collect your HRT.

BluntOliveWasp · 08/01/2025 19:47

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This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

glossystyle · 08/01/2025 20:53

FusionChefGeoff · 05/01/2025 17:00

I was desperate to start and practically ripped open the packaging as I left the chemist!! I felt so awful I was just keen to feel better.

And I did

No immediate side effects and I felt like 'me' again within a week. I hadn't realised how awful I was feeling until I felt better if that makes sense.

Was never told to start on a particular day, just started ASAP.

Presumably there are symptoms you want to be rid of??

Same as you! Ripped open the packet and started.

Also didn't realise how AWFUL I felt and looked. Now I'm glowing with great skin and hair and full of energy and ZERO anxiety.

I literally had insomnia before starting for YEARS!!!!

It has SAVED ME!

NearlyNewHip · 08/01/2025 20:58

xmaspomanon · 08/01/2025 19:16

I didn't know rage was a menopause thing. I only thought that was PMDD.

Show quote history

I'd never had it before. I was one of the lucky ladies with a tiny bit of belly ache and a medium period for 4 days, every 26 days, like clockwork. So 'the rage' was new and was just continously......

IBlameTheDog · 08/01/2025 21:05

whatisforteamum · 05/01/2025 20:35

I was fobbed off until 51 in the sense of anxiety dizzy spells feeling awful.
Started on hrt to stop the hot flushes.
To start with I felt a bit dizzy and nauseous.
After 3 months the symptoms subsided and the flushes stopped sleeping improved joint pain vanished and anxiety improved a bit.
Sex drive never returned though.
Oh yes and constant peeing stopped which was amazing as I was loosing confidence.
So all good but took a while.

Did the HRT stop your anxiety/dizziness? That's the only reason I'm on it but it hasn't really worked yet. I have the occasional good day, maybe even a good week, but always end up feeling, not dizzy exactly, but like my head and my eyes aren't in sync. It's bloody awful!!

Shoemadlady · 08/01/2025 21:07

I didn't have any side effects at all and felt great within a couple of weeks.

DontshootmyRaptors · 08/01/2025 21:10

glossystyle · 08/01/2025 20:53

Same as you! Ripped open the packet and started.

Also didn't realise how AWFUL I felt and looked. Now I'm glowing with great skin and hair and full of energy and ZERO anxiety.

I literally had insomnia before starting for YEARS!!!!

It has SAVED ME!

Show quote history

I am waiting for the pharmacy to text me my first prescription for my HRT is ready to collect. I can’t wait. I have waited 15 years to go on HRT.

VinoWitch · 09/01/2025 08:40

Does anybody have itchy armpits? It's driving me insane!

Claire903 · 09/01/2025 09:21

The "haziness" went away and the anxiety. Felt more energy but sex drive rocketed more than it was when I was 21!

menopausalfart · 09/01/2025 13:13

@VinoWitch Not armpits but other random areas. I use Leti AT4 Hydrogel. It calms the itch quickly.

Shoemadlady · 10/01/2025 16:01

I take constant progesterone and oestrogen gel and my sex drive is better than ever.

GertrudeGarbo · 10/01/2025 21:24

OP - just start!
I was in two minds at first as I thought I was sensitive to hormones after not getting on well with the pill 25 years ago. Bioidentical transdermal estrogen is so far away from The Pill that I shouldn't have given it as much consideration. I tried to match the progesterone (fortnightly) to my cycle. I started estrogen immediately and the progesterone just as I guessed I had started to ovulate. Sleep is better - I'm back to 7/8 hours straight) anxiety has disappeared, hip pain gone, brain fog is lifting and I'm good at my job again. I'd say after two weeks I felt noticably better and after 2 months I felt like I was 35 again.

OctogenarianDecathlete · 18/01/2025 18:30

Hi, can I ask: is this the placebo effect?

I started evorel sequi on Monday. Started with my period as advised. So almost a week in.

And I have so much energy today. I ran last night. I ran this morning (with my family). Then I mucked out and rode my friend’s horses. Raved in the car there and back and I am still humming with energy.

Is this the extra oestrogen, or is this the placebo effect, or is it entirely coincidental? It’s only been 6 days. I haven’t felt like this in years. (I hope this feeling stays. It’s amazing)

Lottapianos · 18/01/2025 22:06

'Is this the extra oestrogen, or is this the placebo effect, or is it entirely coincidental? It’s only been 6 days. I haven’t felt like this in years'

You often do get a massive boost in the first few days. Sadly it may not last. It's normal to be up and down and all over the place for up to 12 weeks. I took a good 8 weeks to settle after I started HRT but feeling much better now. Stick with it

LifeInAHamsterWheel · 18/01/2025 22:13

whatisforteamum · 05/01/2025 20:35

I was fobbed off until 51 in the sense of anxiety dizzy spells feeling awful.
Started on hrt to stop the hot flushes.
To start with I felt a bit dizzy and nauseous.
After 3 months the symptoms subsided and the flushes stopped sleeping improved joint pain vanished and anxiety improved a bit.
Sex drive never returned though.
Oh yes and constant peeing stopped which was amazing as I was loosing confidence.
So all good but took a while.

Would you consider adding testosterone to your HRT? It can really help with libido apparently

holjam · 18/01/2025 23:02

I started HRT a few months ago at 44. I'm taking an estrogen patch and have a mirena coil. The difference is honestly amazing- the rage is gone! My mood is much more level, my skin has stopped itching, I'm not waking up with horrid dry eyes anymore, brain fog has lessened, the awful painful boobs have disappeared. It's really really made such a positive difference to me.

Garlicnorth · 18/01/2025 23:13

The only thing that really changed was that the hot flushes stopped. That is not a small thing, mind you! I'm somewhat less irritable - I haven't become a paragon of sweetness, just less likely to fly off the handle.

I think that women who pay for specialist consultations and highly personalised prescriptions do see more far-reaching changes, including improvements to skin and hair. I just wanted a reasonable temperature and to minimise my osteoporosis risk. I started on tablets and, now post-menopausal, am on Evorel Conti patches.

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