38 and going through menopause

[Tilly198699]

So reaching out to anyone who can give me a bit of a pick me up really as I'm struggling to find people talk to who are going through the same. I had a Full Hysterectomy in January due to severe Endometriosis/PCOS. I have been on HRT gel pumps twice a day for 3 months now but the last 3 weeks my mood and mental health has really taken a hit. I have always been a positive person and have always tried to find ways to cope but these past few weeks have been so hard I just haven't had the strength or fight in me. I have spoken to my husband about how I have been feeling but as much as he is doing what he can I just feel like I need to kind of hear from others that it's normal to be feeling like this. Some days are so hard I don't to deal with anyone or anything and the guilt I feel when I have these feelings and thoughts is just too much, I have also become so anxious about little things that wouldn't have normally have bothered me and very sensitive to loudness. Is this normal because I feel like I'm loosing it.

I'm sorry OP. Sounds like you're having a really tough time.
It sounds to me like you need to go back to the doctor or the menopause clinic and maybe look at adjusting your dose. You might find a different formula better (personally I was very anxious on the gel but my symptoms are under control on patches).
It can take a bit of trial and error to get it right. Hang in there.

Agree with pp. I felt dreadful on gel, anxious, sad and tearful and after about 6 months spoke to the GP who made me stop the gel immediately and swapped me to patches. My mood lifted almost straight away and I've never experienced the same since.

I have been on HRT gel pumps twice a day for 3 months now but the last 3 weeks my mood and mental health has really taken a hit.

You don't say how much gel you're using.
You can go up to 4 pumps a day.

How much do you use now?

I have been told to give myself 6months on the Gel so I will try and get to the 6 month mark and then go and talk about it with my GP again. Thank you 😊

I'm not clear how much gel you're using.
If it's not 4 pumps, you can increase to that.

what did your GP suggest?

So sorry OP. I would second everyone else’s advice of going back to the GP now rather than waiting 6months. Another 3months is a really long time to feel this way. I’ve found it took a long time to get the right balance of hormones for me (early menopause- no hysterectomy) and wish I’d gone back sooner to adjust it rather than waiting. I’m 3 years in now and feel incredible. But the first year was a struggle as I wasn’t on a dosage that worked for me. Ended up on antidepressants to get my mood back up and wonder if I’d have needed those if I’d changed my hrt sooner (not that there is any shame in using antidepressants, just wish I hadn’t battled away for so long). If your GP is unhelpful or not v knowledgeable (often the case for women’s heath matters, sadly) you might also find it beneficial to speak to someone at a private provider (e.g. Newson clinic) for advice, if you have the financial means. But hopefully you’re also getting some extra support via NHS services? Good luck and keep posting for help/moral support. It’s really tough when no one in your social circle is going through the same thing.

and just to flag - yes also have the sensitivity to noise and heightened anxiety. Both horrible to deal with, but both helped by changing my hrt. The
sound of anyone biting into an apple will never not fill me with rage though!

I wouldn't wait 6 months @Tilly198699

i am so sorry you feel that way, i was peri-menopausal at 36, was so young to experience all the feelings. However i had a slower introduction, you have been thrown into menopause and that's not easy...My advise is to educate yourself about symptoms, be kind to yourself...Eat well, don't drink alcohol and sleep well, listen to your body - dont do what you feel will exhaust yourself. Talk to a therapist if you can...Keep husband aware of how you feel....Know you are not going crazy.

I'm going to speak to the GP (when I can get an appointment) you are all right I shouldn't wait really. The way I have been is very out of character for me and it is affecting my daily life so best get it dealt with ASAP. Thank you so much to you all for your support. 💪💜

It says Ostregel, 80mg, two pumps a day. I haven't been given the ok to increase to 4 pumps or even told I can increase if I need to so I haven't done so.

Are you also taking progesterone? If not you may find it has a signifcant impact on mood
www.bodylogicmd.com/blog/the-benefits-of-progesterone-treatment-after-hysterectomy/

One other thing to add: my understanding (I’m not medically trained, just listen to lots of podcasts about menopause which feature the experts) is that if you go through it early, you often need a higher dose of hormones compared to those going through it at a typical age (50ish I believe). I shared this info (and source) with my GP and as a result got prescribed a higher dose and have felt so much better since then. Equally, GPs aren’t psychic and will usually start most meds/hormones on the ‘typical’ or lowest dose to see how individuals respond. Without them being told it’s not working, they’re not going to go out of their way to check in with you and find out. They’ll wait for you to come back to them (which is obvs fair enough given the insane workloads).

Mood issues, lack of motivation, anxiety and all manner of other delights that come with menopause are also the very reason why it’s so bloody hard to get on top of things and get oneself to the GP and ask for help though. So do be kind to yourself. No shame, no blame just back yourself to get the help you need

Agree. And Testosterone- actual gold for me in terms of mood, motivation, clearing brain fog etc.

That's disappointing @Tilly198699

Your GP should have advised you to increase the gel until it controlled your symptoms, giving each new dose a few weeks to take effect.

2 pumps is really the minimum dose. (although some women find 1 pump is ok.)

For women like you in their 30s, you tend to need far more than older women, eg in their 60s.

Just for the record, the amount of estrogen in 1 pump is 0.75mgs.
So 2 pumps gives approx 1.5mcg estrogen.

The entire content of the bottle is 80mgs/mls but most of that is water/alcohol as the base.

I'd see your GP and ask to increase it. This guidance is on the leaflet in the pack.

You might like to know about the Daisy Network which is a national charity for women with early or premature menopause. They offer support, info on their website and have a forum.

I'd caution against adding progesterone at the moment as it will just confuse matters. You need to get the estrogen dose right.

The addition of progesterone when you have no need (no womb) is controversial and not one suggested as the 'norm'. It tends to come from the US and is not mainstream treatment here.

@ApparentlyIsMyCircusAndMyMonkeys The podcasts if they advocate progesterone (unless I'm wrong- so do say if I am!) are not by UK menopause specialists- they tend to be US doctors and the US has a very different approach to the UK.

The UK expert on premature menopause (either through surgery or genetics, ) is Prof Nick Panay who used to run the menopause clinic at Chelsea & Westminster Hospital where they saw women with complex problems and was associated too with the Daisy Network.

If anyone wants to listen to an expert online, he's the one!

I’ve only listened to UK ones but not yet heard of him so thanks for the recommendation, will check it out.

Agree the Daisy Network is worth looking at too. I didn’t join but heard good things.

He's president of the International Menopause Society and one of the main researchers in the UK for menopause/hrt/ etc.

There are a few bite size youtube interviews with him and also some podcasts where he talks in detail to Liz Earle.

Thank you so much to you all for your help and guidance. I'm going to get in touch with the doctors first thing in the morning to get a telephone consultation to discuss increasing my dose and tell them how I'm feeling. I have also been out today and bought a wellness journal so I can write down everything so that I can monitor it more closely. Thanks again it's been so nice to talk to others that are going/have gone through it 🙂

I'm going through poi at 32 so understand it, but appreciate you being had a complete hysterectomy. I'd switch to patches if you can, your estrogen levels are probably too low. Also you may need testosterone gel?

Hello. 37 and going through the same lovely 👋 I know a couple of people have said already but the patches have been great for me. I was crying so much every day and I couldn’t pick myself up. I am cruising on the patches.