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[Julia Dizzy]

Hi,
Has anyone 10 years post menopause new to HRT ever been started off on oral tablets in their mid 60's?

Am just trying to weigh up which regime to ask for next, after using oestrogel and utrogestan daily, which I don't think suits me as I had abdominal issues with it.
 
The hot flushes had more or less gone and VA had slightly improved on it, but did nothing for anxiety, mood and joint aches and pains.


I had been started on it at age 63 last September, 9 years post meno, but stopped 2 months ago to see how I got on - but hot flushes and VA issues are now returning. (I am still using Vagifem every 3 nights and Yes VM for VA).
 
I only want continuous HRT as I don't want to have a bleed. (I still have my uterus so need progesterone).

Patches would probably be better I know, but they are still not widely available and which one to use anyway? I really don't want to use Utrogestan any more neither orally or vaginally.

In light of not being able to see my Meno clinic gynaecologist yet I'm still trying to weigh it all up, it's so confusing! I want to be on it to protect me as I get older, for all the benefits for my bones etc etc.

I would love to hear other ladies experiences as to which one they are using and find to be ok, as we are usually told we are too old for oral HRT due to DVT etc?

Thank you 

[KarineT]

Hi,

I'm not on HRT so I cannot answer your question but did the mood and anxiety problem resolved itself?  If so, did it happen as soon as you were in post meno or did it take a while?

Thanks

Karine

[sheila99]

It's a case of try it and see, you won't know which will suit you until you try. How long were you on HRT for before? My anxiety and insomnia took 3 months to go. It's also worth considering other causes as anxiety, mood and joint pain can all be caused by factors other than meno. I know you don't want a bleed but if you try anything new on a sequi regime to start with you'll know if the progesterone doesn't agree with you. Maybe try evorel?

[Julia Dizzy]

Thanks KarineT and Sheila99,

I didn't have much anxiety until post menopause, but some unfortunate life events over the years made it worse. It has never really improved! I have had all my bloods done and nothing showed up on thyroid etc, so no physical reason for it. I have mild fibromyalgia so that can throw a spanner in the works!

I definitely don't want to do the sequi route, as I have been without bleeding for 10 years and don't want to start again. Is there an alternative to utrogestan to use daily??

I was reading some other ladies comments about Evorel patches and heard mixed reports?
I may ask GP if they can prescribe estradot patch and try the utrogestan again and see how that goes??
Thank you xx

[Wrensong]

Julia Dizzy, Evorel Conti is a combined patch that many get on well with, but spotting/erratic breakthrough bleeding can be a problem with it & if that goes on longer than 6 months postmenopause a scan & hysteroscopy can then be required.  I believe it's the only combined continuous patch currently available, with FemSeven still off the market.  I found I tolerated it well in terms of side effects, but also only got around 50% expected oestradiol absorption from it & continued to get erratic bleeding throughout 2 years postmeno use - warranting hysteroscopy.  A menopause specialist later told me erratic bleeding is a common issue with EC. 

MPA (Provera) is a progestogen tablet alternative to Utrogestan that can be combined with oestradiol gel or patch on a continuous (or combined) regimen & has the advantage of coming in several doses.  But it is considered rather old fashioned & has a somewhat controversial risk profile, compared with Utrogestan.  Personally, at very low dose I found it more tolerable than Utrogestan which is a complete no-no for me.

Norethisterone tablets (another progestogen - the same as in transdermal Evorel Conti) are also sometimes combined with oestradiol patch or gel. 

As both the latter are oral & not used vaginally as Utro can be, I'm not sure whether you would want to consider them.

I'm assuming you don't want to consider an IUD such as Mirena or one of the new lower dose ones in your 60's.

I find Estradot patches give good absorption & may be better for hormone stability than gel which can give rise to peaks & troughs - in my experience not so good for symptom control.

[Julia Dizzy]

Thank you Wrensong for this insight, very helpful! May I ask which strength Estradot you are on? I believe the 50mcg would be equivalent to 2 pumps Oestrogel? I think will try and persevere with Utrogestan when I restart until Femseven patches are available again....??

I have also been hearing of a new oestrogen spray called Lenzetto, which some reviews said is better than the gel, anyone on here using it yet??

Thanks

[Wrensong]

JD

My current Estradot dosage is 37.5mcg - quite low, but I am well postmenopause.  Bloods show I get far better absorption of oestradiol from Estradot than I did from Evorel Conti.  Yes, 50mcg patches are said to be equivalent to 2 pumps Oestrogel I believe.

If VA is a problem would you consider maybe increasing the number of nights you use Vagifem?  Many of us find we need to use it more often.  I use it 5 nights a week with the addition of the weaker dose Estriol cream (0.01% - it comes in a stronger version too), applied thinly on the external area.  The latter really helps with comfort.

I believe there are members using Lenzetto.  Maybe try putting it into the search box to pull up relevant threads.
Wx