Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Advanced search  

News:

Please have a look at the questionnaire page if you have a spare minute.

media

Author Topic: Do I need to increase or decrease my oestrogen gel?  (Read 1284 times)

Pinkjan4288

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 114
Do I need to increase or decrease my oestrogen gel?
« on: September 29, 2020, 07:42:44 AM »

I’m so confused.
I’ve been on 2 pumps for nearly 2 years daily. It’s really helped my symptoms but in the last month I’ve been through an awful stressful situation and read that cortisol causes progesterone not to work and so I could have become oestrogen dominant.
I feel like I can’t catch my breath. It’s been awful. My throat feels tight.

I’m having a heavy period every 3 weeks.
I also take utrogestan every night 100mg orally. Helps me sleep

I’m also so exhausted.

I reduced my gel to 1.5 pumps to see if it helped with the stress and oestrogen dominance.

I’m so confused and have no faith in my gp giving me advice.

I have booked a private phone call with a specialist in 2 weeks but I physically can’t cope feeling like this.
Logged

Jane50

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 109
Re: Do I need to increase or decrease my oestrogen gel?
« Reply #1 on: September 29, 2020, 08:39:41 AM »

Hi Pinkjan,

Sorry you're having a bad time of it.

Sounds like anxiety to me which is completely exhausting. I personally wouldn't reduce the oestrogen especially if two pumps have been working for you. I'd be more inclined to try increasing it as increased cortisol levels can be a sign of low oestrogen. That's the good thing about the gel is it allows for that flexibility. If you find it doesn't suit you, you can easily reduce down again.
Have you thought about taking the utro vaginally as this is supposed to be more effective. I take 200mg vaginally and it's really helped reduce heavy, prolonged bleeding. Might be worth taking the 100mg vaginally and see if any improvement?

It could be that your body and mind just need some time to recover if you've been through a stressful time.
Can you take anything to help you through in the short term? Maybe a short burst of anti anxiety medication?
X
Logged

Sage 🍃

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 241
Re: Do I need to increase or decrease my oestrogen gel?
« Reply #2 on: September 29, 2020, 11:55:02 AM »

Hi Pinkjan, poor thing, bleeding every 3 weeks, no wonder you're fatigued. I think you're still perimenopausal? Your own hormones might be fluctuating and causing the symptoms, you're probably going to need to tweak your HRT until the storm calms down. Beware of anti anxiety medication because many of them can interfere with oestrogen and progesterone! Good luck with the appointment and I hope you feel better soon.
Logged

Pinkjan4288

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 114
Re: Do I need to increase or decrease my oestrogen gel?
« Reply #3 on: September 29, 2020, 12:04:38 PM »

Thank you both for the lovely replies.
I’m scared if I increase the gel I will bleed even heavier.
I don’t want to take anxiety medicine.  I’m asthmatic so beta blockers are not allowed.

I just wish I could catch my breath properly.

I do lots of self care already.
Logged

Sage 🍃

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 241
Re: Do I need to increase or decrease my oestrogen gel?
« Reply #4 on: September 29, 2020, 04:45:05 PM »

There are anxiety meds that don't interfere with the lungs. Anyway, if it's anxiety you can try mindfulness and breathing exercises. It could be other things though, not every symptom is due to menopause.
Logged

sed

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 146
Re: Do I need to increase or decrease my oestrogen gel?
« Reply #5 on: September 29, 2020, 07:11:22 PM »

Thank you both for the lovely replies.
I’m scared if I increase the gel I will bleed even heavier.
I don’t want to take anxiety medicine.  I’m asthmatic so beta blockers are not allowed.

I just wish I could catch my breath properly.

I do lots of self care already.

Anxiety is my main symptom and has been for 6 months.  I sometimes wonder if HRT was the right route for me  :'( I am sticking with it though, going to give it 3 months.  Like you I don’t really want to go on anxiety meds because would rather cure it than mask it.  I am trying self-care and mindfulness.  Still gets me though and looking forward to a light at the end of this nightmare.

It will be interesting to hear what your specialist says if you don’t mind sharing once you speak to her.
Logged

Pinkjan4288

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 114
Re: Do I need to increase or decrease my oestrogen gel?
« Reply #6 on: September 30, 2020, 08:27:57 AM »

I will report back when I speak to her.
Logged

Pinkjan4288

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 114
Re: Do I need to increase or decrease my oestrogen gel?
« Reply #7 on: October 18, 2020, 01:13:14 PM »

I spoke to the menopause specialist. She has sent me for an oestrogen blood test to check my levels.
She thinks I may need more oestrogen and she has mentioned using testosterone once the oestrogen levels are at the correct amount.

I have been feeling really dreadful physically.

I’ve spoken to someone regarding my MH and what I’ve recently been through.
I have had a diagnosis of PTSD.

It’s starting to make sense.
Logged