Confused by symptoms - what HRT combination now?

[Wonderbug81]

I have had perimenopause for 4 years.

I'm on 3 pumps oestrogel and 12 days 200 utrogestan (oral, can't take vaginally). This combination stopped anxiety and generally made me feel better during peri.

I did still have low libido (plus low mood and motivation). A menopause doctor recently said I could try testosterone and I am awaiting blood tests to confirm. She said I could also try continuous utrogestan but want to do one thing at a time!

Meanwhile, I have been getting severe anxiety particularly in the mornings for the past 3 months - didn't mention to menopause doctor as didn't make link. My heart rate goes up to 150 bpm as I wake up (resting is 72bpm on average). This anxiety is mainly the week before I start utrogestan although I sometimes get it a little after but only for a couple of days. I now have a cardiologist appt! That said I strongly suspect this is hormonal too...

I have had also bad IBS just before utrogestan phase.

I clearly need to wait for the doctors to advise but interested to hear what others think and whether there's advice I can take on board.

I'm not sure that making any changes to your HRT will help the morning anxiety, but what may help is if you start doing some things like yoga, meditation, mindfulness before bed or when you wake up (depending if you're shooting off to work or not.)
Working on your breathing through yoga is known to be really helpful and effective. There's lots of stuff online about simple breathing exercises to help with anxiety.

Thank you but my anxiety only came on during peri and it went away when I got to optimal (back then) HRT levels.

That makes me think it is hormonal. I was far more stressed last year than I am this year but anxiety is worse than ever. I do exercise and mediate and while I could add yoga the symptoms suggest something else is at play.

I have similar during the break from the progesterone. Magnesium glycinate has helped a bit. It’s good they are checking you via cardiology though.

Oh interesting. Do you think it's the drop in progesterone? Have you considered continuous cycle instead? I have had tummy issues with magnesium in the past but will look into it.

The point is that even if it is hormonal, it will help.
My consultant gynae recommends yoga and breathing for menopause symptoms (although they are also a strong advocate of HRT.)

Ah OK, will give yoga a try in that case.

Yeah could be. Best to keep a diary. Glycinate has been okay for me digestion wise, I tried a liposomal version, not sure if that’s a factor.