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[Peacegirl]

peacegirl, you're right, we have to do whatever is necessary to feel better and have quality of life!  I'm sorry you had to give up your job.  I feel horribly that it has been that bad for you to reach that point. (hug)  I hope that you find the Provera works for you.  Fingers crossed for you!

It's fine, I'm 57 and whilst some women (my tennis playing, charity volunteering et etc 80 year old ma-in-law) power through into their older years, I'm clearly aging less gracefully!  Mindfulness helps me have a little acceptance of how things are, mixed with a bit of striving to improve things. I've got a p.t easy job which I can just about manage (money and energy-wise). Really hope you get some relief too, I am lucky enough to have better days/periods of time, hope you do too x

[matildamouse]

I am on Estradot 50mcg patch, 2x week vagifem  and 100mg progesterone vaginally on alternative days with no spotting. I have yearly scans and so far so good.

[MicheleMaBelle]

Hi shortie- interesting points. I'm slim ( not as much as I was though )
Another friend who's also slim has had problems and some of my more well upholstered friends haven't had any issues. Probably a total coincidence! X

[Peacegirl]

I am on Estradot 50mcg patch, 2x week vagifem  and 100mg progesterone vaginally on alternative days with no spotting. I have yearly scans and so far so good.

This was my plan except severe hair loss has started up again so having to switch from utrogestan which is a real shame. Is the Estradot daily?

[Katia]

Actually, this has reminded me of something I read at least a year ago that said it wasn't good to be thin going into menopause. I wasn't having any symptoms then and i totally dismissed it

I'm slim.  Although I've put some weight on over the last year. I'm fighting with the he Utrogestan some don't out more on m

[Zara69]

I'm 5'5" and 8.5 stone, I had loads of horrid symptoms and am on patches...my plumper friends/ sisters are fine...my skinny best friend is on hrt! Mmmm interesting! 🤔 Off to eat junk 😂

[nearly50]

That's interesting, I think a few petite women on here have similar symptoms to me. I'm 5 ft 2 and a shade under 8 stone - wouldn't mind putting on a wee bit of weight if it wasn't for the fact that it only goes on my waistline and stomach and is really uncomfortable.

From my non scientific point of view, larger women my age seem to sweat more, especially on their faces - not sure if it hot flushes or simple exertion from being larger though.

[nearly50]

Think I'll start another thread on this as it's unfair to hijack Peacegirl's thread. I'm really interested in views from women with different cultural backgrounds too as I know Japanese women have very easy meno (generally) because their diet is so high in soy.

Sx

Though I have read that they have the same problems, but don't tend to pathologize menopause because of Japan's completely different attitude to the ageing process. So much research could be done on the menopause!

[Peacegirl]

Think I'll start another thread on this as it's unfair to hijack Peacegirl's thread. I'm really interested in views from women with different cultural backgrounds too as I know Japanese women have very easy meno (generally) because their diet is so high in soy.

Sx

Awwww, I really don't mind - it's been so interesting and I've had more than what I need from my original query. OTOH it's definitely worthy of a thread of its own as well

[Katia]

I always find it strange about the Japanese women as their diet is so high in salt.  I wonder if it's genetic?  Like sickle cell developed to protect against cerebral malaria.  Maybe climate?  I've friends who said they don't get the hot flashes when they are in a hot country.  All interesting suff 

[Hurdity]

Very interesting thread.

The extent to which progesterone and the synthetic counterparts keep the lining thin is dose and duration dependent (this was re-iterated in a paper I was looking at this morning) and dependent also on the dose of oestrogen, as stated by several posters early on in this thread.

Gynaes are split on whether continuous or cyclical HRT is best. There is definitely an increased risk of endometrial hyperplasia and also cancer (even though the absolute risk is small) on cyclical vs continuous regimes so some gynaes prefer this, especially as the casual relationship is pretty well established (even though there are other factors involved in endometrial cancer). However there is also evidence that the risk of breast cancer (where the causal relationship has not been established and where there is still controversy) is increased through the use of progestogens and therefore some gynaes prefer to advise their patients to keep this to a minimum - in which case cyclical progestogens would be preferred. This is aside from progesterone intolerance where cyclical regimes would naturally be favoured.

I totally agree with Tovahfell's point about adding exogenous hormones. Anyone who takes HRT is going against "nature" and therefore we need to choose whatever is best for us and weighing up all the other risks. I would HATE to take progesterone all the time and a bleed is infinitely preferable ( while on a longer cycle anyway)! Also those who prefer the bio-identical route like myself - means taking utrogestan - which may be associated with some side effects due to the large doses needed when taking it externally (as it is unstable in the blood stream) compared to ovarian production.

Peacegirl - I think others have already said that if you are spotting it means the balance is wrong and the progesterone may not be keeping the lining thin. Noone should ever assume that if you bleed this is a good thing. The only normal bleeding is progesterone withdrawal bleeding - but bleeding can be due to other issues such as an over-thickened lining ( oestrogen breakthrough bleeding) - which is very common leading up to menopause.

The clear-out you have read about - I have posted about this. My GP suggested I took a course of norethisterone once a year in order to ensure the womb lining was completely shed - as she has approved my long cycle HRT and couldn't be sure that this would be sufficient to keep the lining thin.

In combi HRT types like patches - there is no way of adjusting the ratio of  progestogen to oestrogen so although it is theoretically designed to keep the lining thin without a bleed ( after the initial settling in period of time) it doesn't always work like this so some women do still bleed and have an unstable endometrium on a conti regime.

I think I've rambled on a bit but hope I have added something useful that hasn't already been said!

Hurdity x

[Katia]

Peacegirl, I found I had as many side effects taking the Utrogestan every other day as every day. It didn't seem to make a differnce for me.  But my hair and skin are better when I take it every day.

[lifeatfifty]

Hello,
I'm a new member but have been reading your forum for the past 6 weeks since starting my Bio hormones.

First I am really impressed by the forum.

There are so many threads which I want to add to but feel I am a bit of a hormone virgin, so am worried that my tuppence worth is not of much value.....here goes anyway.

I'm 50 and had my last, longest period of my life in January. I had been reading about Bio-identical hormones for nearly 8 years. I wanted to go down this route but up until now have only dabbled with progesterone cream. I realise from reading this forum that the term bio is a bit American but what I didn't realise was these are available on the NHS.

Since January my hormones hit rock bottom and my anxiety levels hit the roof. I was annoyed with myself for not starting bio-hormones earlier. I had seen a gynae privately about my bleed but he told me nobody could prescribe me bio hormones in Scotland!

I contacted a private doctor specialising in this in London.

I was prescribed 1 pump of Estrogel in morning and one at night. I pump of testosterone in morning and 1 dhea (10mg). I asked to go down the cyclical static dosing. My doctor asked my why would I want this when surely the benefit of menopause is no bleed. For me having a monthly bleed and determining the length and heaviness of the bleed helps me determine where my hormones are at and personally I feel is normal or natural for me.
I understand that this is not everyone's choice.

I take Utrogestan on days 21-28 at 200mg dose. I'm not sure why it's the 8 days and not the 10 days that seems to normal (I will be asking on next appointment). I started my hormone replacement on what I decided was mid-cycle as due to mucus and other symptoms I felt I had estrogen that month. My doctor ok'd this agreeing I probably knew my body. So 8 days later I started my Utro at night.
First morning after I could hardly focus my eyes. Next night I took earlier and was so dizzy. Doc said I could lower dose to 100mg but wanted the progesterone protection and bleed so continued. The progesterone didn't help me sleep better in fact in made me very sweaty and anxious when waking. As I was waking I started taking one dose at 10pm then one dose about 1am (on waking). This stopped the dizzy head and spaced out feeling the next day.......................but I think the anxiety is definitely an issue.

I have now just finished my second cycle (just realised I've been incredibly anxious on the utro) and am starting my 2nd bleed.
It's reassuring to me to have my cycle and it feels natural - clearly the anxiety isn't and I need some tweeking.
I do feel that this month I have been a little bit estrogen low and can feel this in my less full breasts. (last month freaked me out how full my breast became and how tender that I went for half a dose some mornings.

I really like the cyclical static route but would prefer the Rythmical Route (TS Wiley). My doctor says she's not keen on this and will discuss in more detail next time after monitoring my hormone levels.

Does anyone have any experience of the Rythmical Route (not a static dose but a varied one depending on day of cycle)

[Cassie]

1 pump is low I am on that and only use 100mg for 10 days a mth, you may find less symptoms using 100mg I couldnt cope with the 200mg made me feel awful. You would need to try and have a scan of your uterus perhaps annually to see if it is doing its job but on that low dose of gel it should be 100%

[MicheleMaBelle]

Hello life at fifty- 

There's a few of us on here who are in Scotland and quite a few Scottish specialists too.

I've never heard of the Rhythmical route - apart from increasing/ decreasing the amount of oestrogel depending on symptoms. How would you know how much oestrogen and progesterone to take each day and at what time?

Are you taking the utrogestan vaginally?

I've had a similar treatment regime, but bio identical or not, the utrogestan hasn't worked for me. I'm intolerant to any sort of progesterone but there are lots of ladies on here who swear by it and taking it longer cycle, under medical supervision or at a lower dose seems to work for them.  You'll just need to see how you go with it. Anxiety is difficult to treat with HRT- in fact, it can make it worse.
Keep ousting and let us know how you get on x