Body identical HRT experiences

[Sunshineandgrapefruit]

I am seeing the Dr about HRT following a general gripe about feeling generally shit, got sweats and frequent periods. If it's offered I am feeling weirdly nervous about taking it. How bad should things be before I take it? If I'm being honest this is manageable for now. What side effects did you experience? I am particularly worried about weight gain.

I've never understood what "Body identical HRT" is supposed to be. Hormone replacement during and after menopause is good for bone health, genitourinary health and can help protect against cognitive decline. It stopped my hot flushes instantly and relieved the free-floating anger/anxiety.

Different formulations and routes of delivery have different benefits and risk profiles. Are you seeing your GP, a menopause specialist or an endocrinologist? If GP, you'll want to research this yourself (NICE guidelines rather than waffly blogs or commercial websites).

As a quick observation since you're very concerned about weight gain: long term dieting can compromise bone health, among other things. I don't know (or need to know) if you maintain a very low weight - but, if you do, it's extremely important to protect against osteoporosis now. There's no reason HRT should make you put on weight.

I saw a menopause specialist ahead of time due to another condition so have letters on file ( recommending body identical HRT). Seeing GP now. I can see how my comment about weight came across. I don't diet but put weight on when on the pill in my 20's so just want to know what to expect with this as it may sway my decision on when to start.

If anything, I think being on hrt can help keep the weight off because it helps improve sleep and reduce pain, so makes it more likely you feel like staying active. Pain and exhaustion both tend to make people overeat and comfort eat, as well as not want to move, so anything that helps with that is a good thing.

Can you say what you're worried about? Is it actually the fact it's body-identical or HRT that's your concern?

Most women now use body-identical estrogen either as patch or gel (or spray.)
The older types of estrogen (mainly tablets) were made from a synthetic estrogen (from mares' urine) which is rarely prescribed now.

With progesterone you have two main choices- synthetic (in all patches) or micronised progesterone (tablet but no blood clotting issues) which is body-identical as it's the same as own own.

Don't confuse regulated body identical with compounded body identical.
Compounded is not licensed - it's made in small private labs and no reputable doctors in the UK approve of it, although there are private doctors who will sell you it.

The British Menopause Society has a statement on it explaining why it's not recommended or safe.

I haven’t gained any weight on HRT. I did gain weight before going onto it, I once read that as the estrogen depletes fat starts to take over and fills it’s place.

I didn’t get on with the body identical progesterone (Utrogeston), I suffered with symptoms similar to PMT. To be honest I’m very sensitive to progesterone, I struggled with the pill so kinda knew what was coming. I was on a regime called Tridestra where I only required progesterone for two weeks after taking estrogen for 70 days. Unfortunately it’s no longer available but my Dr just prescribes the appropriate quantity of medication and I diary the days to keep track.

Over the last couple of years I’ve followed a semi fasting eating regime to try to lose a little more weight just for me. I find it very easy to follow and I’m back down to 9st 7lbs, it’s many years since I’ve been at this weight. I would never give up HRT, it took me 3 years to find a regime that worked due to my intolerance to progesterone, if you have a womb unfortunately this has to be included 🥴

I also use testosterone as my energy levels as well as libido were non existent. After blood tests I was told I was 90% down on what it should be, after just two weeks it felt like a switch had been turned on, so wonderful to get my mojo back.

Theres so many advantages to taking HRT, it’s given me my life back. No more aching, brain fog, weight gain etc. Ask the Drs receptionist which Dr is best placed to discuss it all with, there’s always one in a practice that takes an interest I’ve found. Good luck, hope you get something sorted, it’s definitely worth it, 🌼

Thank you all. That's really useful. I have the coil in so already on progesterone, albeit a small dose. Bleeding is getting more frequent though. Libido thankfully fine so may not need testosterone yet. Main issues are hot flushes, the bleeding, occasional sleep problems and weirdly sore boobs for weeks on end.

You can keep your Mirena as part of HRT for 4 years then it needs replacing.
You won't get anything other than body identical estrogen as that's what is used now here.
It is identical to you own. Shouldn't be a problem.