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[ClumpyClaire]

Hi all,

Sorry for not being on here for a while.  Wanted to see how I got along with HRT and then feedback or again...ask!

First went on this Evorel Sequi Transdermal Patches - patches kept falling off, and having to change them frequently. Other than the hot flushes stopping. I didn't feel much different and no sex drive back. So my Dr changed me to these...

Femseven Conti patches - again, these patches fell off, but I only had to change once every 7 days. Even had to use another sticking plaster over the top to keep them on.  Most annoying.  Again, other than the hot flushes I still had symptoms of the menopause.  By this time I'm starting to lose my patience and mind!

The last two months I've been Femoston-conti tablets.  These are much easier to use! However, at times of the month I have (as I have experienced with all HRT so far) continued symptoms of menopause...back pain, joint pain, headaches, tiredness and NO SEX LIFE!  I thought, and call me naive, that by taking HRT all symptoms will go and you'll get your sex life back.  Now I'm doubting whether going on it was the right thing to do. Also....my Dr thinks (more tests to follow) that I have osteoarthritis. Joy! 

Question for you lovely ladies....

1/ Anyone else experiencing the same on HRT?
2/ Any advice on getting the sex life back? A tablet that will make me go phwoar, rather than think...mmm cheese sandwich.

Thank you in advance

Claire x

PS:  Have an appointment at the Menopause clinic in Jan 17 to see if they can help me.  My Dr talks to me like I'm a 5 yr old, she's no older than 12 herself...so you can imagine the conversation in her room.

PPS: I was never tested for menopause, I was told by my Dr's to expect it, as I was a woman of a certain age.  They did however recommend I go on HRT or Antidepressants without testing me.  After months of putting it off, and keeping a journal of all my symptoms I finally went on HRT, not antidepressants.

[Hurdity]

Hi ClumnpyClaire

Sorry to hear about your poor experiences with HRT and also your doc!

Where are you in menopause ie what was your cycle doing before going onto HRT initially? The conti HRT types are only for women who are post-menopausal ie have been without a natural period for 12 months (before starting HRT), otherwise a cyclical (sequi) HRT should be given.

Unfortunately also when you are taking continuous combined HRT you are also getting continuous progestogen and although this stops bleeding (if you are post-menopause) it can give rise to continuous low-grade progestogenic side effects - anxiety, depression, headaches, etc. Some of the synthetic progestogens also cause adverse symptoms - although the one in Femoston is most like our natural progesterone, of all the synthetic types.

I still would not want to take it all the time - and I am in my 60's!!! So that's the first thing. Also some of the progestogens cause reduction in sex drive (although paradoxically some of them testosterone derived progestogens stimulate libido in some women from what I've read here!).

You haven't said how old you are or the dose of Femoston but you may well need a higher dose of oestrogen and especially if you are young, and also as above you might well benefit by going back to a cycle where you are on oestrogen only for part of the month.

If you are post-meno then Livial (Tibolone) is available which does improve libido (so it seems) and there are several threads about this at the moment.

If you liked the idea of patches then Estradot oestrogen patches do stick very well and are small - don't fall off easily - also depends on application technique and where you stick them! You would then take a separate progestogen eg utrogestan or Provera each month. Some women also like gel. Either of these you could then increase the oestrogen dose (gradually) until you reached your "sweet spot". Sometimes oestrogen alone can improve sex drive - but unlikely at very low doses. Tesosterone can be prescribed off licence ( again there are several threads on this at the moment) but probably would need to have a decent level of oestrogen before going down this route.

Good luck at the menopause clinic - make sure you do lots of research so that you know what to ask for and print off anything you think might be helpful.

Hope this helps and do ask anything else we might be able to help with 

Hurdity x

[Dawncam]

Hi Claire - I've heard many ladies say that Tibolone has a lot of phwoar! properties.

Almost too much in some cases so certainly worth investigating/researching and it's easy to take if you're having existing probs with transdermal.

Good luck

Dxx

[Tempest]

I'm stalking all the posts on Tibolone with great interest.....And not just for the phwoar factor! I'd be happy with the reason to live factor right now!

[ClumpyClaire]

Hi ClumnpyClaire

Sorry to hear about your poor experiences with HRT and also your doc!

Where are you in menopause ie what was your cycle doing before going onto HRT initially? The conti HRT types are only for women who are post-menopausal ie have been without a natural period for 12 months (before starting HRT), otherwise a cyclical (sequi) HRT should be given.

Unfortunately also when you are taking continuous combined HRT you are also getting continuous progestogen and although this stops bleeding (if you are post-menopause) it can give rise to continuous low-grade progestogenic side effects - anxiety, depression, headaches, etc. Some of the synthetic progestogens also cause adverse symptoms - although the one in Femoston is most like our natural progesterone, of all the synthetic types.

I still would not want to take it all the time - and I am in my 60's!!! So that's the first thing. Also some of the progestogens cause reduction in sex drive (although paradoxically some of them testosterone derived progestogens stimulate libido in some women from what I've read here!).

You haven't said how old you are or the dose of Femoston but you may well need a higher dose of oestrogen and especially if you are young, and also as above you might well benefit by going back to a cycle where you are on oestrogen only for part of the month.

If you are post-meno then Livial (Tibolone) is available which does improve libido (so it seems) and there are several threads about this at the moment.

If you liked the idea of patches then Estradot oestrogen patches do stick very well and are small - don't fall off easily - also depends on application technique and where you stick them! You would then take a separate progestogen eg utrogestan or Provera each month. Some women also like gel. Either of these you could then increase the oestrogen dose (gradually) until you reached your "sweet spot". Sometimes oestrogen alone can improve sex drive - but unlikely at very low doses. Tesosterone can be prescribed off licence ( again there are several threads on this at the moment) but probably would need to have a decent level of oestrogen before going down this route.

Good luck at the menopause clinic - make sure you do lots of research so that you know what to ask for and print off anything you think might be helpful.

Hope this helps and do ask anything else we might be able to help with 

Hurdity x

Hi Hurdity,

I'm 48yrs old. Stopped my periods May 2015. I kept a journal of my periods for some years, as I knew something wasn't right with me...When you know, you know...right? I think I was Peri in my early 40's, starting 2009.

The dose is 1mg estradiol hemihydrate and 5mg dydrogesterone. 

X

[ClumpyClaire]

Hi Claire - I've heard many ladies say that Tibolone has a lot of phwoar! properties.

Almost too much in some cases so certainly worth investigating/researching and it's easy to take if you're having existing probs with transdermal.

Good luck

Dxx

Thank you...I will research this! x

[Dawncam]

Tempest - good to see you again - how are you doing on 50 patches?

Dxx

[ClumpyClaire]

In haste I also should of written that I stopped my periods in May 2015, but it wasn't until Feb 2016 that I started HRT. I had completely stopped my periods by that time... My concern now, other than the stuff I've already written about, is....have I left myself open to osteoporosis?  Has the Osteoarthritis that my Dr says I possibly have, be in relation to the fact that I hadn't acted immediately to going on HRT.  Left nearly a year of not taking anything and dealing with the symptoms. Don't forget....my Dr wouldn't test me for menopause.

Again, thank you!
xx

[ClumpyClaire]

I'm stalking all the posts on Tibolone with great interest.....And not just for the phwoar factor! I'd be happy with the reason to live factor right now!

Oh gosh...I'm sorry to hear this.  x

[Dawncam]

Hi clumpyclaire - more likely that you have aching joints from low oestrogen. My specialist scanned me and whilst I have VERY sore joints, he re-assured me that it wasn't arthritis or osteoporosis and that getting my levels of E stabilised would prevent it from happening in future. Glad to say my new E regime is already providing relief, small but perceptible.

Dxx

[ClumpyClaire]

Hi clumpyclaire - more likely that you have aching joints from low oestrogen. My specialist scanned me and whilst I have VERY sore joints, he re-assured me that it wasn't arthritis or osteoporosis and that getting my levels of E stabilised would prevent it from happening in future. Glad to say my new E regime is already providing relief, small but perceptible.

Dxx

I didn't know that D!  My Dr is bloody useless. She never mentions levels to me or suggestions. It wasn't until a colleague at work mentioned a menopause clinic, that I asked for a referral to speak with someone qualified to seek advice and help!  Sometimes I wonder if my Dr just wants to keep me feeling like this. I know my surgery wont do a menopause test, because of the cost.  On top of this my darling partner (as understanding as he says he is) we've been falling out of this too.....Like I said in my first post...sex or a chocolate bar....I'll leave that right here...

x

[Dawncam]

Haha - we've all been through it hon - you've come to the right place! Search some of your symptoms on here and you'll get loads of info. You'll be an expert in no time!

I'm certainly no expert but it sounds to me like you're in serious need of some oestrogen. Hot foot it to your meno clinic and take a comprehensive list of symptoms and what's left of your cycle. I'd also defo ask for testosterone levels to be checked although NHS are twitchy on that one. It's now widely accepted that most post meno women need some supplementation of T for help with energy and libido- as my specialist said "we want you feeling randy again!". Tibolone has testosterone effects, it's not actually T but a steroid derivative but it works in the same way. Do your research before meno appointment and chat it all through there.

Good luck.

Dxx

[CLKD]

Also: as oestrogen levels drop so muscles become lax = aches and pains as well as dryness, thinning of skin, vaginal atrophy ……… bugga 

Osteoporosis doesn't come on suddenly ….. brisk walking can help maintain bone density health.

[ClumpyClaire]

Also: as oestrogen levels drop so muscles become lax = aches and pains as well as dryness, thinning of skin, vaginal atrophy ……… bugga 

Osteoporosis doesn't come on suddenly ….. brisk walking can help maintain bone density health.

It's all related to those wonderful hormones, or lack of them....it is a bugga!  Thought my face was pointing more south this morning 

[ClumpyClaire]

Haha - we've all been through it hon - you've come to the right place! Search some of your symptoms on here and you'll get loads of info. You'll be an expert in no time!

I'm certainly no expert but it sounds to me like you're in serious need of some oestrogen. Hot foot it to your meno clinic and take a comprehensive list of symptoms and what's left of your cycle. I'd also defo ask for testosterone levels to be checked although NHS are twitchy on that one. It's now widely accepted that most post meno women need some supplementation of T for help with energy and libido- as my specialist said "we want you feeling randy again!". Tibolone has testosterone effects, it's not actually T but a steroid derivative but it works in the same way. Do your research before meno appointment and chat it all through there.

Good luck.

Dxx

Big thank you D!!  x