How to research HRT options?

[ExtensiveDebating]

I’m 58 and have “sailed though” with a mirena coil apart from a bit of anxiety and depression about 10 years ago and the occasional hot flush. Had the coil removed a few months ago with investigations for a bit of bleeding which were all clear. But all of a sudden the last couple of months I am getting hot flushes, night sweats every night, and my concentration levels are getting worse (perhaps through tiredness from the sleep disruption). There seem to be so many options, can anyone recommend any websites for research so I can be prepared to talk to my GP?

i strongly suggest the Dr Louise Newson Balance app.
it’s all for menopause and gives invaluable advice for post menopause, and how not to be fobbed off by GP’s also under the ‘NICE” guide lines you have a right to the correct treatment.
I am on oestrogen patch which I change twice a week and micronised progesterone tablet which I take at bedtime . This is to protect the womb, if you still have one.
I understand this is the normal route to start and then see how you get on.
I do advocate the Balance app it is amazing and you can post questions on the community section.
see if your GP practice has a menopause specialist or I have found most practices have a nurse practitioner who deals with women’s health and mine have been fantastic.
Good luck and I hope you get treatment soon.
HRT has saved my life, literally!!

www.larabriden.com/hormone-repair-manual/

@ExtensiveDebating Dr Louise Newson's site is helpful and there is also the online 'library' and videos where topics are discussed. I suggest you search for 'types of HRT'.

I'm not sure what info you need?
If you want HRT, just describe your symptoms to your GP and say you want to try HRT. There ought not to be an issue.

Do you mean how do you ask for different types?
At 58 you're heading towards 60 when tablet form of HRT isn't recommended owing to a slightly higher (but still tiny) risk of a blood clot.
So your options are patches or transdermal gel or spray.

If you are happy to have a patch on your bum 24/7 there are various types.
They are either estrogen only and then you will use micronised progesterone with them ( a tablet you take every night) which is natural progesterone so no clotting risk.

If you don't want that, you can have a patch containing estrogen and a progesterone but it's an older type (called synthetic.)
For longer term safety (breast cancer) micronised progesterone is better.

If you want another Mirena coil you can have that as the progesterone part of HRT and use an estrogen only patch or gel (which you apply every day.)

One issue with books like the above link is that the author is a naturopath, not a recognised doctor. she's based in NZ , although from Canada, and they both have very different approaches to HRT.

Thanks all, I am worried I am going to be fobbed off, when I had the mirena removed I mentioned that I might like to try vaginal estrogen as I was noticing a bit of dryness and I have prolapses and am worried about tissue laxity as I age also a bit of urge incontinence has started. I have been doing yoga with a women’s health specialist for years and read up a lot about this aspect but the GP just said “do your kegels you’ll be fine”. Also I am overweight with borderline high blood pressure and I have heard of people being told no because of that. So I want to have an idea what the options are for general HRT and what might be safe and effective for me. I didn’t know tablets aren’t recommended for 60+ for example and I’m not sure about patches as I am allergic to plasters. I will have a look at Louise Newson and the other links, thank you.

I have been doing yoga with a women’s health specialist for years and read up a lot about this aspect but the GP just said “do your kegels you’ll be fine”

Maybe you just needs to ask outright, if your didn't at the time?
Kegels won't stop vaginal dryness/ atrophy.

You can buy treatments for vaginal atrophy OTC now- Ovesse (cream) or Gina (tiny pessary) so you can always pop into a pharmacy and buy it (or order it online.)

Being overweight - well, it's not a contraindication for HRT in itself but it's a risk factor for other diseases. Is it a case where your GP might suggest weight loss treatment, depending on your weight?

BP isn't an issue if it's being controlled with meds - is it?

Your GP should still prescribe but there might be a 'deal' where they encourage you to tackle lifestyle changes at the same time.

They know about the weight / blood pressure from my mid life healthcheck last year, the BP wasn't so high it needed medicating just on the high end of normal and I am losing weight.

I don't think you need worry on that score then.