HRT safe

[Carol52]

Is HRT safe the tablets and gel. What are the main side effects

Safe in what respect?

When I used utrogestan, it made me very depressed, but some women love it because it helps them sleep.

Can't comment on gel as I use patches.

This is a link to the information I was given when I spoke to the HRT specialist nurse at my GP surgery: https://rockmymenopause.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/RMM_HRT-in-a-nutshell.pdf

Ultrogen is what I have been prescribed. Did you stop straight away and start something else

I've been on oestrogel and utrogestan for 6 months and I'm feeling so much better. No negative side effects at all for me

I have an oestrogen spray and take utrogestan for two weeks a month. I love the oestrogen, less keen on uteogestan as I think it affects my moods (low mood/irritability) but just similar to a normal cycle really and for me, the benefits outweigh the side effects.

As for safe- do you mean health risks? Female cancers? I think the general consensus is that HRT is pretty safe for most women. My Mum had breast cancer at 48 and I am at that age now myself but my GP was happy to prescribe HRT for me, despite knowing my family history. I do have yearly mammograms which I was offered as a result of a referral to a generic counsellor who investigated my family history and assessed my risks.

I would do some reading around the topic- maybe read the NHS pages about HRT- and speak to your GP.

Presumably you're experiencing some symptoms or problems which are making you interested in finding out about HRT, so it's a question of how bad those issues are and whether you feel you can keep going as you are or would benefit from some help. For me, my biggest symptom was crushing anxiety, especially first thing in the morning. It was making it very difficult for me to function and get on with my day and HRT has sorted that out. I also had a lot of stiffness in my hands and fingers which was affecting my ability to carry out everyday tasks. Again, the HRT has resolved that.

*genetic counsellor, not generic 😂

I have had anxiety /depression years ago and it worries me that going on the medication may make me feel worse as I still get anxiety.
I keep thinking I will try but then I bottle it worrying if I have any side effects. I have mentioned it to 2 doctors and they say it's my choice but I have so many symptoms and am 54

My problem was that my side affects of menopause became overwhelming. My anxiety was ridiculous. I started oral hrt at 55. My sleep improved immediately. I did take a while to settle on them but you do need to give hrt time. I continued to be a bit of a roller coaster for a couple of months. I still have wobbly moments. My brain fog seems to fluctuate in intensity.
I am due an hrt review in May. I will discuss if safe at nearly 59 to stay on Femoston 1/10 or change hrt. If safe would like to stay on what I'm on.

I'd say to just try it OP. You can always stop & unlike antidepressants it has no difficult withdrawal syndrome. I too suffer with depression & anxiety which became extremely debilitating during peri & menopause. I put it down to my MH only & could not believe the impact HRT had on me. Was having constant adrenal surges, palpitations, developed panic attacks, near constant catastrophising, off the scale rage irritability & depression, suicidality. Plus low BP (that exacerbated feelings I was going to die/pass out/have a panic attack) & joint pain. HRT literally saved my life.
I too agonised over side FX mainly from progesterone given my depression & made sure I requested separate estrogen (eveorel) & progesterone (utrogestan) as I read one of the combination patches contains synthetic progesterone which can make depression worse & that utrogestan is body identical & less likely to (obvs everyone is individual so may work for some). So you have already been prescribed the best & safest combination from a cancer risk point of view too. I know how angst provoking it can be & the fear that it may not work or cause more problems. And the fear of not having the tolerance to experiment with different types:combinations if necessary.
But it was like switching a switch & everything has literally gone. I still get mild anxiety but I can handle it & my mood is calm & the progesterone acts like a natural tranquilliser. Please try it!! I really think it could help you 💐

I would try it OP.
Sleep improves my anxiety is much better.I thought the utrogestan was causing depression and stopped taking the hrt.
However bang !! I developed dizzy spells and had a migraine.
Hormones have such a huge effect on our well being.
I'm back on it and the is my 6 th yr.