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[pepperminty]

Hi Ladies ,

I have had a private appointment with a menopause specialist, and thought it may be useful to some. .

I am on Femosten1/10 with an extra half tablet of Zumenon as I cannot tolerate 2/10.

I was advised that a regime of 100 estradot and utrogestan every 3 months would be good for me!  And adrofeme straight away.

I was a little concerned as I am on a low dose HRT and a jump to 100 seems a little high . Especially as i pointed out that I am very sensitive to increases. I have also got a high SHBG. ( they told me that will lower on transdermal.)

I was advised that they do not prescribe testosterone in other forms as androfeme is better for women with less side effects. And that they would not prescribe testosterone on an oral HRT due to the SHBG being raised by it. (SHBG- allows free testosterone to get into the body- very simple explanation)

Anyway, I informed them that I felt that 50 estradot with a top up of gel was a better starting point ( as !00 is very high)and that I was uncomfortable with only taking utrogestan 3 monthly due to a possible build up of womb lining.

I also stated that i felt that starting testosterone immediately may muddy the waters until I have established my estrogen levels ( as I may not absorb so well on the patches or gel - who knows at this point).

I asked about possibly going on the mirena coil , but was told that utro was the best. And that testosterone makes HRT work well and gives a better outcome.

Well it was useful i terms of confirming what I already know, but I wasn't filled with confidence.

So if I go for transdermal I will do it unopposed for 6 weeks to establish and then try the utrogestan for 14 nights.
I would not want to take the testosterone until I get stable.

Heavens to Betsy, I need time to process .

Change is scary, especially when you are menopausal.

Well at least i am feeling better in myself today as I was a tearful mess yesturday!

Peppermintyxx

[CLKD]

So - advice given, will you take it? 

Was it a sociable appt.?  If you go for the 3 months idea, was a scan advised to check on any build up in the uterus?

[pepperminty]

Hi CLKD ,

yes a scan was advised every 6 months if i did the 3 months regime and a further hystoscopy if any thickening. But I do not think that is safe at my age to have 3 months unopposed ( risks and benefit )- although i was told that i was getting on a bit!

I think I actually gave myself the advice - and yes I probably will - as I need to see if testosterone helps my aches and pains. I am suchan HRT lightweight that I think straight into 100 estrodot may have finnished me off completely as half an estrogen tablet a week makes me more emotional!

I am  a get as much advice and info as poss'  girl and then make my choice. I am also scared of getting worse . I must have been a risk assessor in  previous life!

PMXX

[EllaAurora]

Hi Pepperminty,
thanks for sharing, very interesting! I can totally relate -I'd also be scared of too big changes on one go, knowing how my body reacts to even tiniest changes. We are all different and no one can know your body like you. On the other side, at some point we need to take the leaps of faith and make changes if regime not working and it is very scary.

Did the meno specialist agree with your own proposal of starting with 50 mcg patch & gel top up and to add testosterone once stabilised? To me this sounds utterly reasonable, though of course I'm not a doctor but rather a likeminded HRT lightweight

Do let us know how you get on and hope the new regime -whatever you choose- will bring an improvement!
xx

[pepperminty]

Hi EllaAurora,

yes she said ok, and agreed with me, especially when I pointed out that 100 estradot was a big big jump.  I looked on the treatments guide here and also read other ladies advise others here - that 100 was a lot. I did mention I was very sensitive.

 I am not a doctor either , but I feel that most of the ladies on here are rather fabulous at advice.

I have been shocked at some medical professionals to be honest- i was told I couldn't get any reaction from increased estrogen/  Told that they did not know that you could not eat with Utro ( even though they were prepared to prescribe it)/ Told that all progesterones are the same. I could go on 

I think that being flexible is important. I stood my ground and read up. I could always increase and unless you are young ( and apparently I am not!  )  go for the low dose first and work up . Although I am sure wacking a mega dose on first and popping on testosterone straight away may work for some lucky ladies, and boy I am envious of them.

I will update with any news regarding it all.

How are you getting on?

PMXX

[CLKD]

How old R U? 

You did well, getting clued up so that you had information to share and discuss.   

[pepperminty]

Thanks CLKD,

I haven't reached 55 quite yet! .

It was  also mentioned that the risks increased with oral HRT as you got older. I thought that was over 60 years? But as we know that as long as you are in good health etc  the risks of having alcohol and being over weight are greater than takin HRT.
 Also that Dr Bluming author  of the book  Estrogen Matters advocates conjugated estrogen ( as does Liz Earle mention that it has favourable research related to brain function ). Although there are reasons why women would not want to take this, and it is choice. But also quality of life.

I found this article which I found interesting.  https://www.imsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/2018-09-13-article.pdf



I feel that if we can all put as much out there as we can it may help someone. Just that little light bulb , or piece of the puzzle or kind word , can give one the courage to get through the day.

PMXX

[Perinowpost]

Good article Pepperminty x

[pepperminty]

Thanks Perinowpost,

It is easier than reading the whole book . x