Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[EB1]

Hello, I am all very new to this. My Doctors said at the grand old age of 41 I was peri menopausal. Not many symptoms so decided to pretty much ignore it, however fast forward 5 yrs and I can no longer ignore it. As someone who is always cold, hot flushes have completely taken me by surprise and horror, as has the protruding tummy I've never had before, the random chin hairs (why??) the brain fog - particularly helpful when you work in a male dominated environment, terrible headaches and mood swings, lucid enough to know im being unreasonable but not enough to stop!!

Anyhow I tried to make an appointment with the menopause specialist, they don't have one so I was slotted in with the nurse, I did research before I went, I asked for Bio Identical Gel, she said    not available on the NHS, I asked for something which wasn't a tablet so I had 2 prescriptions for different types of sequential gels; It took so much for me to get there and get the prescription but not no local pharmacy can fill it and they are blaming Brexit?

Any suggestions or help appreciated.

Thanks

[Butterfly22]

Hi and welcome, I'm the same age as you ☺️
There is a lot of trouble getting hrt but mainly patches atm, you could try the gel and a separate progesterone. The doctor doesn't seem to be very helpful!
One think I've learnt over the years is don't give up go back and say that's what you would like. Xx

[CLKD]

Hi!  I have a thread : "My Chin!" - so you aren't alone.

Have a read of the threads about medication shortages on the forum.  Make notes. 

Brain fog is 'common'.  Read our threads about vaginal atrophy too.  It's The Change, does what it says on the tin   

Decide which symptom you would like to ease first then put it into the search box here and see what pops up.

[Bobidy]

Hi, I'm also peri (with hysterectomy earlier this year retaining ovaries). I too was always cold, with cold hands and feet but my circulation has completely changed now with warm/hot hands and feet, which I don't mind too much but I had a general hotness/sweatiness. I started Estrogel oestrogen in May and I'm now on 4 pumps (don't need progesterone thank goodness). This has helped massively with lots and lots of symptoms. I've just started Androfemme testosterone too which will hopefully help with muscles, concentration etc.

Your nurse is totally wrong! You can get Estrogel on the NHS. You may need to trawl around your pharmacies to get the prescription (easier to phone around). If you have a larger town close by they may be more likely to have it.

The hairy chin sounds like your testosterone levels may be higher than your oestrogen levels. If you gradually increase the estrogel by half a pump every few weeks up to a level to stop your sweats etc that should stop further androgen symptoms I think. Xx

[Dotty]

EB1....can you tell us exactly what you have been prescribed? X

[Hurdity]

Hi EB1

 

Also are you still having periods if so how often are they eg cycle length etc? This tells you where you are in menopause, unless you have a Mirena or on mini pill in which case it's hard to say.

Hurdity x

[KiltedCupid]

Hello, I am all very new to this. My Doctors said at the grand old age of 41 I was peri menopausal. Not many symptoms so decided to pretty much ignore it, however fast forward 5 yrs and I can no longer ignore it. As someone who is always cold, hot flushes have completely taken me by surprise and horror, as has the protruding tummy I've never had before, the random chin hairs (why??) the brain fog - particularly helpful when you work in a male dominated environment, terrible headaches and mood swings, lucid enough to know im being unreasonable but not enough to stop!!

Anyhow I tried to make an appointment with the menopause specialist, they don't have one so I was slotted in with the nurse, I did research before I went, I asked for Bio Identical Gel, she said    not available on the NHS, I asked for something which wasn't a tablet so I had 2 prescriptions for different types of sequential gels; It took so much for me to get there and get the prescription but not no local pharmacy can fill it and they are blaming Brexit?

Any suggestions or help appreciated.

Thanks

EB1 - there are various on-line pharmacies which will fill prescriptions and some seem to have products ‘high street' pharmacies don't. Worth a search. Good luck.