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Menopause

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Original poster

How long does it take HRT to start working?

264 replies

higgle · 12/08/2009 11:28

My GP prescribed me Kliofem on Monday, strted taking it yesterday ( Tuesday) my only menopausal problem is hot flushes and they are driving me mad - how long will it take for the effects of the HRT to kick in? desperate to see an improvement. Also does anyone have any good or bad experiences on this drug?

OP posts:
Kazhadenoughmeno5 · 16/09/2013 16:47

Very informative website. The pros greatly outweigh the cons. Has now confirmed that hrt is right for me. Will book appoint with a different doctor. Thanks

Gerijrich · 16/09/2013 18:31

Any thoughts I have been on HRT for 7 weeks and the hot flushes have gone and most days the anxiety is only in the background and then I get an odd couple of days when it rears its ugly head does this mean HRT is not doing it -
I was almost normal last week.

missbopeep · 16/09/2013 19:27

It's too soon to say- you need to allow at least 3months then if it's not working think about a different type or dose.
Did you have anxiety pre-meno because not all anxiety can be attributed to the menopause?

Gerijrich · 16/09/2013 20:21

no periods stopped and then the anxiety came.... always have been impatient nearly there.. Thank you

Gerijrich · 16/09/2013 20:21

ps normally very happy with life think that's why its such a shock. xx

Gerijrich · 17/09/2013 17:37

Just been prescribed a different Progesterone - micronized as I was great on just oestrogen, hoping this will make a difference otherwise I will need to go on tablets.

missbopeep · 17/09/2013 17:52

Geri have you had a hysterectomy? What HRT are you using? no one would give you just oestrogen if you still have a uterus- you should have progestins as well and there are various types.

Gerijrich · 17/09/2013 19:35

oops its to replace the one I was on as I seem to get anxious after a few days of taking it

lisylo · 18/09/2013 00:22

I have just started taking Elleste Duet after having months of getting cross, upset and so many hot flushes sleepless nights - can anyone tell me there stories of this drug and how long it takes to work and how much weight am I going to gain - thank youSmile

missbopeep · 18/09/2013 08:06

Why not have a chat with your doctor about this?
He/she should have told you that you need to allow 3 months before changing to a different type if this one doesn't suit you.
The scientific research shows that HRT does not cause weight gain. Some types of progestins may cause bloating like you get with normal PMT. Weight gain around menopause is usually down to a change in metabolism, not adjusting intake of food accordingly or increasing physical activity.

lisylo · 18/09/2013 11:29

Hi Thank you for the information - I see a different doctor all the time very hard to actually see your own doctor - She said to me I should see a change in 7 days!!! I will see what happens after 3 month so thank you I will increase my exercise just in case.

evening88 · 18/09/2013 22:17

I take Prempak C and have been on this for a year now. It has made me a less moody individual and a lot more confident! One month after starting it I met an old friend and we have been living together for a year now! This would not be the case if I hadn't taken it!
I had horrible excrutiating breast pain after about 4 months so I stopped taking it for 2 weeks. Started again and it has never happened since.
I am 48. I had no interest in sex or men and this changed my life. I also agree with the "Meerkat" wakefulness of earlier posts

Kazhadenoughmeno5 · 19/09/2013 10:43

Can anyone tell me how long Prozac, prescribed for menopause, takes to get out of your system. Went cold turkey Friday and am now feeling wretched. Want to go on HRT but have heard can be 5-6 weeks before free from Prozac. Feel so down and lethargic. Please advise anyone who has similar

oscar2tia · 29/09/2013 18:48

Hi, been reading all the threads on how ladies feel and I have just started taking Prempak-2. Have to say it is very comforting to know that in the very very early hours of the morning when you are wide awake, that you are not alone. I have felt pretty near suicidal, not so much with the hot sweats, but mentally in a very dark place. Sex is a distant memory. I used to run a lot, now barely have energy to walk a few miles. Prempak 2 does not seem to be prescribed that much from what I have read so far. Are you still in a good place?

missbopeep · 29/09/2013 22:03

Sorry to be more doom and gloom but Prempak and other conjugated oestrogens are sometimes thought to be a little out dated now and bio identical products are more in favour. Have you thought about talking to your dr about this? It may even come down to a cost issue.

mariachumasbaker · 30/09/2013 11:41

Hi everyone. Just wanted to share this. Started taking Elleste Duet 2mg about 5 weeks go. Was on it for about 2 weeks. Only good thing was hot flushes went almost immediately. Went away pn holiday. Started to feel very low. Had a day when I was so low and wondered why. Wasn't sure whether I would have a bleed. Had one full night's sleep which was great but then it all started to go bad. Had another very low day and a slight period pain. Thought - Oh well, will have a period. It didn't come until day 28 of first pack. Am still bleeding after 4 days and only took 3 pills from my 2nd month pack - reason - I have never experienced PMT like this. Awful and wanted to cry all the time. Got back from holiday yesterday and still feel awful and low. I should be feeling better and I cannot continue with this feeling. I would rather have hot flushes. I just need at least 2 to 3 good nights sleep at least. Feeling wretched but not going back on this and 1 month was too much for me the way it made me feel. Anyone else experienced this please? :(

Marnie176 · 30/09/2013 13:27

Hi, I have a background in medicine and can tell you that Prozac naturally comes out of your system very slowly, takes about five weeks unlike most other AD's which have to be reduced very slowly so this shouldn't be the cause of your problems.

missbopeep · 30/09/2013 14:05

maria it's important that you understand what's in the pills and why they affect you like this. presume your dr explained it all?
Yes you will bleed every month.
The pills at the start of the pack are oestrogen. The others towards the end are a progesterone. Withdrawal of this causes the bleed.
It might be a good idea to keep going because you are now onto the oestrogen pills again. These should not cause PMT. Your PMT in the 2nd month might not be so bad. If it is, go back to dr and ask for a different type of pill or patch with a different progesterone- don't give up so soon as something out there will help you.

missbopeep · 30/09/2013 14:07

p.s- bit confused- did you just take 14 days of pills in total- you said you took it for 2 weeks? If so, you should not have had a bleed and it could be your own cycle breaking through....

mariachumasbaker · 30/09/2013 14:31

Thanks missbopeep, in total I took it for one whole 28 days and then took 3 of the oestrogen from the next pack. My last pill was taken 3 days ago as did not want to continue. Never experienced a low feeling like that. I had such awful thoughts. My GP said nothing when she prescribed them. She just looked through her book and decided on these. She did not go through my medic history although she knew I had been on prozac for a while but decided to stop these. My last real period was about a year ago. I am 53. I just want to feel good ago and have some good nights sleep. Thank you x

missbopeep · 30/09/2013 15:17

That's a pretty poor show from your dr isn't it?
Norethisterone is known to cause bad PMT is some women. There are other types- have a look at the green menu on the menopause matters website which gives info on different types available.
www.menopausematters.co.uk

Gerijrich · 30/09/2013 22:16

This makes really interesting reading as we are all having the same type of symptoms. Comforting in a way but wont it be good when we all feel good again

Suzielou1 · 07/10/2013 13:27

Has anyone found that after starting hrt they have really bad 'period pains' all the time?

Jinnty · 15/10/2013 19:07

Hello everyone, thank goodness for this forum. I have a question, I am 50 years old, going through menopause and finally relented and started on hrt. I haven't had a hysterectomy or any surgery. I was prescribed Tibolone (Livial ) I'm only on day 6 and although I felt a difference the first few days ( sleeping better ) I'm now back to disrupted sleeping and daily headaches ( is this normal )? Has anyone found symptoms the first weeks yo yo back and forth until it settles? I don't know if this is a combined hrt ..

Jinnty

Missbopeep · 15/10/2013 19:47

Jinnty Tibolone is a synthetic type of HRT which combines oestrogen, progestogens and androgens. It's not usually 'first choice' for HRT but used more for women who have bleeding problems ( progestogens added you won't bleed.) It's also good for bone density and libido.
A good friend of mine takes it for osteoporosis and switched to it ( under a consultant gynae) after her other type of HRT was making her fibroid grow.
Tibolone is best given to women who are 1 year post bleeding as it can sometimes cause irregular bleeds at first. (I am quoting some things here from a book on meno written by a consultant gynae.)

The usual advice is to give any HRT 3 months but I wonder why you were given this sort in the first place?