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[Autumn16]

Hi I'm new to the forum but have been an avid reader of this very helpful site.
I am waiting for my gynaecologist appointment but have been told by my immunologist that I should avoid oestrogen as I have a history of urticaria and angioedema. Apparently there have been cases where excess oestrogen can cause swelling.
Strange thing, for years I used to notice I would get swelling before my period and when I highlighted this to go they said no there's no connection!!
Anyway does anyone have any experience of using just progesterone?

[Hurdity]

Hi Autumn16

 

Sorry to hear about your problems with oestrogen.

Progesterone won't help with menopausal symptoms due to lack of oestrogen unfortunately although I gather there has been some success with some progestogens at very high doses. Where are you in menopause and what symptoms are you wanting to treat? There are very few contra-indications to any form of HRT.

HIGH DOSE PROGESTOGENS (MPA) Medroxyprogesterone Acetate and Megestrol Acetate (Megace) are synthetic forms of progesterone which sometimes reduce hot flushes and sweats. They also offer a degree of bone protection. They have been prescribed to women who cannot take estrogen after breast cancer treatment but concern currently exists about the possible effect of progestogen on the breast and so are now used less often. The side effects of these drugs can sometimes outweigh the benefits. In particular there is known to be an increased risk of clotting with higher doses of progestogens.

http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/prescribed.php

Hurdity  x

[Autumn16]

Hi Hurdity
Where do I begin... last period April this year. Symptoms anxiety causing feeling as if I had something in my throat, fatigue, insomnia.. oh the insomnia!!! Weight loss due to the throat issue! Felt as though someone had come in the night and stolen me away. Hot flushes.
Went to gp hadn't even finished speaking and she said take these.. citalopran.
I said I'm not depressed and she said it's in your hands. Boy I felt crap leaving the surgery that day.
Had a panic attack that was new to me went to a&e and dr said your in menopause go home and rest!!!
Haha with the insomnia and not being able to sleep during day, great advice.
None of the gp's in the practice have a clue about hrt so begged for a referral to gynaecologist and I have appointment next week.

[Autumn16]

Thanks Stella Jane
Did you ever take prednisolone for the hives?

[flutterby]

Hi Autumn16 what a lot of unsympathetic health care professionals you have had to deal with 
Could the Immunolgist be just using the fact that autoimmune diseases affect women more than men so it has to be the fault of oestrogen. Maybe you need more info on what he quoted about oestrogen causing swelling so you all can make an informed choice.Good luck Flutterbyx

[Hurdity]

When before your period did you get the swelling? In a 28 day cycle oestrogen is actually at its highest just before ovulation around 14 days. It then drops sharply following ovulation , rises again over the next few days and then drops to its lowest when the bleed starts. Progesterone is produced from about Day 15 if no fertilisation after ovulation - rises to a peak at around day 21 and then drops off again - so at its lowest just after the period starts and in the first half of cycle. So most of the second half of the cycle you have progesterone. If the swelling occurred then it is due to the progesterone and not the oestrogen - so is not a contraindication to HRT - but you might be someone needing specialised care and a shorter progesterone course under supervision.

Since Nov 2015 doctors should no longer be prescribing ADs to non-depressed women who are experiencing physical and emotional symptoms due to menopausal hormone changes!

Do  read up as much as you can from this website about HRT and the NICE Guidelines - top two menus, and follow links.

Good luck with the gynaecologist!

Hurdity x

[Autumn16]

Hi Hurdity,

The swelling/hives would sometimes not always, start just before the bleed. My body would feel really hot.

Re: my gynae appointment. I'm not too sure what to expect. I have read the NICE guidelines. Do they decide what to give you on symptoms alone or are blood tests carried out?
Any advice welcome.

[Hurdity]

It depends on your age and what's happening to your menstrual cycle.

The NICE Guidelines give the circumstances in which blood tests should be carried out - which depend on age and other things, otherwise if you are over 45 they should normally go on symptoms. A specialist gynae should look at your history and assess whether you may have a problem with oestrogen - but unlikely if your reaction was just before a period as oestrogen is at its lowest then, as is progesterone - and this is highest about a week before the period.

I think there was a woman on here a few years back who had an allergic reaction to her own progesterone and also couldn't take it at all without reacting - so this could be more of an issue with HRT.

Good luck with gynae and do let us know the outcome.

Hurdity x