Hi everyone
I stumbled across this great website by accident whilst trying to learn a bit more about menopausal symptoms so thought I'd sign up and introduce myself. I am 52 and trying to go through the menopause without any medication.
I had a total hysterectomy in my late teens and was immediately given HRT via implant. This was administered roughly every six months until I was 46 and worked extremely well. I then changed location and found a new consultant to do this; he retired and another took over who immediately insisted that I have a blood test (which had never been done before) so he could check my oestrogen levels before he would do it. I of course agreed, expecting the level at that point to be quite low as it was nearing the end of the 6 months - much to my horror and disbelief the results came back with an exceptionally high level of oestrogen in my blood.
I couldn't understand this as I knew when the levels were getting low, let's face it I'd had many years of experience. It now seems likely that this was due to a condition known as tachyphylaxis, this apparently meant that the frequency of implant needed to be maintained even though the level of oestrogen are actually high enough - it's like an artificial 'high'. So effectively one implant was being inserted before the other had actually run out. We agreed to leave it until the levels dropped and at that point I decided to switch to tablets.
I found that the tablets (PremPak C) were not as effective so stopped taking them three years ago when I decided that it was time to let nature take its course. Since then I have been having frequent hot flushes and mood swings, libido is virtually non existent - all of which irritate my OH immensely. When I have a hot flush he simply suggests I might feel better if I take my clothes off ... you can imagine where that one's going lol!
As for the mood swings, well that leads to arguments making my temper even shorter. My memory is definitely not as good as it was or at least according to my OH (personally I think he has an imaginary friend that he tells things to and then swears he's actually told me) - oh the joys of being a menopausal woman! I'm definitely becoming the ultimate grumpy old woman - everything and everyone seem to irritate me these days!
I'm not really sure how much longer I can continue without medication and debating whether to go back to the GP, have another blood test as I half suspect that now there's no oestrogen whatsoever floating about in my body and then possibly try tablets again. I did on one occasion try patches but found that they irritated my skin so was advised not to use them. Friends have suggested non prescription alternatives such as Black Cohosh or Evening Primrose but I worry about their side effects and efficacy as there seem to be few that have any long term study results that confirm there effectiveness.
Any suggestions on coping strategies would be very welcome.
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