Tm666uk
If you have the Mirena and it's suiting you then this is very good news. This will take care of your uterus and contraception all at once. I think occasional spotting is quite normal - I had a Mirena for 4 and half years during post meno and got occasional spotting.
The contraceptive pill probably didn't suit you because you may have been peri meno already so it is the wrong thing to help.
As to weight gain - some women find they get a little fluid retention and perhaps carry a few extra pounds but as we get older we need to reduce our calorie intake or we pile on the pounds far too easily. A sensible balanced diet with some regular exercise (brisk walking every day can make all the difference) should keep weight under control.
All you may need is a little Oestrogel or an oestrogen patch to balance your hormones through peri meno. The Mirena means you don't have to use any extra Progesterone to keep your uterus lining thin and protect it. You may get a little spotting or break through bleeding for a few months after starting oestrogen but eventually you shouldn't even have this.
I had an early peri meno (I was mid 30s!!) Like you I was rather frightened to use HRT. AFter trying a few different types of HRT I was eventually given Oestrogel (which is very popular in France) and found the flexibility of it's use really good. You see, you can start really low with one pump per day applied to the inner thigh or arm and then over a few weeks or months you can increase till you feel you have your symptoms under control. I never used more than 2 pumps per day and that was when I was well into post meno. Many ladies love the patches and there are different strengths of these as well. I never got on with patches but we are all different so it may be a matter of trying things out.
If your Dr isn't clued up about the meno and it's treatment, see if there is a meno clinic near by and get a referral or - if I were you - I would simply ask to try the Oestrogel and give it a go - you don't need anything else if you've got a Mirena. Print out the info about the 'HRT preparations' (to the left of this screen)if it helps you explain what you want to the doctor. Unfortunately too many doctors simply look in their book of drugs and pick a random HRT - often the wrong type - it's very frustrating!!!!
Start low with just one pump per day and I bet within a week or two you will feel a new women. It can take a bit longer to kick in and, because you are peri meno your own hormones will still be fluctuating, so meno symptoms can come a go a bit.
I found I started to sleep better quite quickly - it was bliss.
If you are still frightened to take HRT, just remember that the normal age for menopause is around 52 so up until then taking HRT is simply replacing the oestrogen the body needs to protect the heart and bones. The risks only really kick in after you are 60 and now, if you're healthy, there is no reason to stop even then.
I was lucky in having a good lady GP when I was diagnosed as peri meno and she simply said to me "if you were my daughter I would recommend you take HRT" and that was over 20 years ago.
Keep us posted about your progress. DG xxx
