Low estrogen fatigue

[molly5678]

hey ladies, has anyone had severe exhaustion and lack of energy when low estrogen?
I’m currently taking meds called ‘Ryeqo’ for the last 6 months which essentially turn off the ovaries and induce a reversible chemical menopause (I’m 43) low level of estrogen and progesterone is added in through the meds but I’m thinking the level of estrogen may be too low.

grateful for any experience

So the estrogen and progesterone are parceled up with the drug which stops you ovulating ?

I associate a kind of heavy fatigue with feeling hormonal in-general, like they're out of wack, but not necessarily low estrogen. I had it really really badly as a temporary side effect of increasing my estrogen recently.

I think fatigue is often a problem people associate with progesterone?

It's highly likely that low estrogen is causing these symptoms.

Is the chemical menopause being used before surgery for fibroids or similar?
If you are also being given HRT to prevent some symptoms of the other drug, it's balance between overriding it with HRT and reducing your estrogen enough .

How long are you being put into a chemical menopause and why?

Best to talk to the consultant who is managing this and explain how you feel.

thanks so much for your kind replies
so the ryeqo adds back in low levels of hormone but maybe not enough for me
It was prescribed for severe menstrual bleeding and PMS with peri menopause symptoms and the consultant said it can only really be taken for a year as can affect bone density, seeing him again in August so perhaps he will advise to stop taking it
I’ve honestly never felt exhaustion like this, even having a shower is a massive effort. Who knew hormones could have such an effect!!

Unless there’s something else going on that seems a rather extreme way to treat severe bleeding and PMS symptoms. Go back to your consultant and tell him/her how bad you feel.

Yes I did think that too but he seemed very certain on it…
I think I should have done some more research before I started taking it

why aren't you being offered the Mirena coil or an ablation?
It's a very odd treatment you've got. I've never heard of anyone being put into chemical menopause to reduce heavy periods and PMS!

It' s a real no-no to offer something that reduces bone density.

Ryeqo ( just goggled it) is for heavy periods caused by fibroids or endometriosis. I t doesn't add back hormones. Has he explained badly?
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/ryeqo

Is the consultant a menopause specialist?

If you can, it may be better to see someone privately who is registered as a BMS menopause specialist.

And meanwhile, maybe have a read of treatments for heavy periods- the NHS ha a simple guide. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heavy-periods/

thanks very much for taking the time to reply
yes he’s a menopause specialist registered with BuPA etc…seems to be very experienced
I agree that it does seem extreme although when I started taking it, it seemed to work well
It’s been since I’ve hit the 6 month mark that these symptoms have started…blood pressure is also on the floor although GP wasn’t concerned

You need to check if he's registered with the British Menopause Society and if he has recent experience and training in HRT . He may only be registered as gynacologist.

Did someone recommend him, out of interest?

Looking at the links, his treatment for you is not a recognised treatment.

Your symptoms are very common but the drugs he's given you are not for heavy periods, but for endometriosis and shrinking fibroids prior to surgery.

The usual treatment would be the Mirena coil with added estrogen ( as gel, patch, tablet) to help your peri symptoms.

Don't be afraid to ask him why he's chosen a different drug.

Agree with everything @JinglingSpringbells has said.

Thank you so much and I will definitely ask at my appointment
I’ve pretty much decided to stop taking it anyway once I’ve seen him, this does seem an extreme treatment. I’ll update on here
thanks again

No he wasn’t recommemded, I was referred through GP to community gynaecology team
his profile says he’s experienced in menopause but doesn’t appear to be registered on the British Menopause register which doesn’t fill me with much confidence!

@molly5678 I may have misunderstood. When you mentioned BUPA I thought you'd seen him privately. But you appear to have been referred through the NHS to an NHS consultant.

It's odd your GP can't manage this. It's not complicated- there are many women your age in peri who are treated with the usual treatments.

One is the combined contraceptive pill which can help, especially the newer types called Qlaira and Zoely which have a natural type of estrogen so the are not unlike HRT. The combined pill might also reduce your bleeding.

Or there is the mirena coil + estrogen.

The treatment you are on is non sustainable anyway owing to risk of bone loss yet peri could go on till you're early 50s.

Why did your GP not deal with this?