HRT isn't working 😕

[EnormousGinplease]

Has anyone tried a company that will test your blood for hormone levels and then recommend a more tailored approach to HRT than the standard NHS approach. I am post menopause but feel like HRT stopped working a long time ago. The insomnia is crippling !! Thanks 😊

No this isn’t a thing. Hormone levels cannot tell a doctor how to tailor treatment or how much will relieve your symptoms, anyone who says so is a liar. It is all personal. There is a recent study showing the minimum level to help with bone and cardiac health but this is not the same. Micronized progesterone (which is bioidentical) helped me a lot with insomnia. I take it continuously, every evening, with a large dose magnesium supplement.

I had been taking HRT for years but was plagued by injuries, aches and pains and my sleep had never improved.
I am sick of the crap service women get from the NHS and decided it was with the money to try and find something better. I saw a private GP via the Louise Newsom clinic and she has completely transformed my regime. I’m only a couple of weeks in but I can already feel an improvement from testosterone. Even better most of what I have been prescribed is available on the NHS so my GP is giving me most of it.

I have a follow up in about 6 weeks. I know it’s a cliche but if men had this there would be a cure by now. It’s utterly miserable.

I also take the same progesterone tablets (1 per evening) and 2 magnesium glycinate tablets before bedtime. I'm still awake at 3am until about 5am. Im currently helping with childcare for my grandaughter so no chance to sleep in in the mornings. Only a couple more weeks though and she'll start school. Thank you for replying

Thank you for replying. I have heard of her and will google some more. I thought post menopause would be better ... it's not !!

I think the tipping point for me was when my oestrogen was reduced 5 years ago. Since then I have had constant nagging injuries - tendinitis, bursitis. It’s all stopped me exercising which has made everything worse.
Lack of Oestrogen is linked to these sort of niggling injuries. I’ve been switched to transdermal oestrogen and bio identical progesterone which is better for sleep. I’m also taking testosterone as I said as well as a pessary which delivers more oestrogen.

it’s early days but definitely feeling some improvement. I still work at quite a high level and want to continue for the foreseeable future.

I had no idea that menopause was so debilitating- it impacts everything from mental health to libido to hair to joints to teeth. You have my sympathy. Do try the clinic though they have so much more expertise than the average GP

Hi op.

Can you ask your GP to increase your oestrogen? This is usually the key part.

The NHS are as good at menopause as anyone else. My GP got me on high oestrogen, mirena coil, testosterone and vaginal oestrogen to help with atrophy.

The benefit of a private meno GP is more time to talk.

Do also make sure your iron and b12/D levels are optimal. Over 100 for ferritin.

Lots of exercise, fresh air, magnesium, cook bedroom, drop caffeine etc. These will help too.

Im glad your GP is on the ball, mine not so much. For example I was told I had to wait a full year after my last period before HRT would be discussed. Menopause is like puberty for old age !

I have booked an appointment with a clinic that specialises in compound hrt, made specifically for me. It’s not cheap! But I can’t take micronised progesterone as it’s too strong. And im very intolerant to it, doesn’t help with sleep and makes me anxious! Same with magnesium. Currently on sequi patches which are okay but not ideal. I do sleep better on them.

Wtaf?!??

My GP basically threw HRT at me when I was 44. I only went in to discuss stress incontinence.

Wow that's so bad. Can you change GP?

I am so lucky, my surgery is female partner led and everyone is up to speed n HRT.

Voy will speak to you in detail about your needs, prescribe what you need and do a blood test after 3 months and then add testosterone if helpful. You have to pay, but I found it worth it for the personalised service

Try st Erme clinic online consult. I think cheaper than Louise Newson (but not sure) speciality hrt advice

Hrt didn't work for me either

Absolutely scandalous you were told you had to wait until post menopause.

Sorry, what age are you all? Im 60 and feel like its too late for me to start hrt again.

Is that one of the companies that I see on facebook advertising themselves. If not can I ask how you found the clinic ?

Im 61

Unfortunately my gps not that up to date with hrt and I've given up expecting much more than I already have prescribed which is why I want to examine the private route.

I found it researching online.. My private Dr was telling me about compound HRT. So I looked into it. They do a free half hour call to discuss what they do. So blood tests, Dutch tests, to prescribe exactly what you need.

@AutumnallaroundI would guess that you’re in the minority with an engaged and informed GP. Most are not.
One of my friends asked for testosterone and was told to get a vibrator. Another friend was told that she could not see one of the 2 menopause trained Drs at her practice and that it was luck of the draw. Despite all of my meds being available on the NHS the NHS GP has refused to prescribe some of it. I’ve been messed around so much - GP prescribed wrong dose and drug at one stage. It’s exhausting and unacceptable.

@Picoloangel I am genuinely shocked.

I don't get it. They wouldn't withold asthma medication or diabetes meds. Why would they restrict HRT? Especially when the NICE guidelines are so clear?

Hard recommend for Newson Health. They really know their stuff. It's an investment but absolutely worth it in my experience

OP, your GP sounds ridiculously out of date. If you're only on 100mg of progesterone at night, I'm guessing you're on a fairly low dose of oestrogen, like 2 pumps of gel? Your dose probably needs increasing

@Autumnallaround I think it’s all part of the misogynistic “suck it up it’s part of being a woman” mentality that pervades the NHS. It’s infuriating and short sighted because women end up leaving the workplace because their symptoms are so awful. I still work at a high level and want to continue but there’s an assumption that all women over 55 are spending their days watching Countdown and nursing a cuppa when the truth is that we have youngish kids, elderly parents and careers. I’m busier than I’ve ever been!

OP, did you feel like it ever worked for you?

@EnormousGinplease, I read they aren't keen on hrt over 60?? Or is that rubbish? Im interested myself.

@JacknDiane I think you can start within ten years of your last period.

And then stay on it forever if you want to.