Been on HRT for 2 weeks and want to stop

[MrsBasset]

I keep forgetting to call gp and don’t want to wait on call back. I started HRT (gel) and pill 2 weeks ago on day 1 of cycle due to disregulated sleep and hot flushes. Periods are still regular. It’s not been the magic cure I thought it would be and I think I want to focus on natural sleep remedies. Can I just stop without getting an increase in symptoms?

It wasn't the magic bullet for me either. Primary issues are anxiety and insomnia, but hasn't helped with either of those: yet! I've got a more complicated situation in that I couldn't tolerate the progesterone part at all, and it made me incredibly depressed but have since discovered that if I use it as a pessary, I can by pass this side effect. However, on a cyclical regime I also found that after the 2 weeks were up my mood plummeted massively! I'm about to try yet another attempt but this time taking the progesterone for 25 days in the hope that my moods are more stabilised. All with gp approval of course. I think in your case I'd persevere a little longer; 2 weeks is incredibly short and from my own experience, you might need to tweak it a few times to find a method that works for you.

Give it more time, it needs longer than 2 weeks to work, so mointor all changes and see what happens. You may need a dose increase, but before stopping it, definitely consult with your GP.

HRT isn't like a pain killer or something that works really fast (although it can for some women.)

I'm wondering if you're using Utrogestan daily or for 12 days per month?

I started HRT (gel) and pill 2 weeks ago on day 1 of cycle due to disregulated sleep and hot flushes. Periods are still regular.

If you're still having periods, you should be on the sequential type which is half the month with micronised progesterone.

I had to just stop and tried a few different regimes. I am keen to take but am too sensitive to it. Was on the floor crying! Will try again at a later date

Maybe you can try again. There are many types, some not really known very well by GPs.

OP hasn't tried all sorts- just 2 weeks on one type, so it's not really a fair trial yet.

I know. But I’ve been to two top menopause specialists. If you have sensitivities to hormones (particularly if PMDD and ADHD) it’s not that easy. Sometimes it’s NOT worth ploughing through while you’re suicidal on the floor or really getting worse. Just wanted to give OP that side of it too. It’s actually not for everyone

Sorry to hear that but OP has to give it time and maybe other types.

It's not clear form her post what she is on and it may in fact be the wrong sort anyway.

I’m finding the panic attacks are worse if anything on HRT for me. I have also been diagnosed with PMDD and am going through an ADHD assessment so I read your post with interest as I haven’t heard of that link. Have you got any other knowledge or advice around this?

I hated it. Didn’t alleviate any menopause symptoms and put my blood pressure through the roof. It’s not for everyone, come off it if you’re not comfortable.

HRT turned my life around and I wouldn't be without it now but it wasn't an overnight fix. I needed to tweak the dose, and shifted from patches to gel, and then started to see a gradual improvemenr after a month or two. After 3 or 4 months I had my life back. Give it time.

You’ve only been on it two weeks. You need to give it much more time (and likely some dose changes) before you’ll see if they’ll be any benefit. Remember when making your decision that there are also longer term benefits to HRT, the main one being the significant lowering of your risk of osteoporosis. About 30% of post menopausal women get osteoporosis. So the risk is very high.