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[Evangelista]

Hi

I posted on the new members forum but not had any comments re the HRT aspect (possibly TLDR to be fair...) https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,59525.0.html

Anyway, shortened version: 56, been peri for probably 8-10 years, on sequi HRT for 7 years, couple of different ones but now on Femoston 2/10. Tried a conti about 2 years ago but had erratic breakthrough bleeds which at the time I couldn't manage. Periods now getting shorter and more clotty, and I'm getting generally more fed up with having them so looking at conti mainly for that purpose.

Have done some proper research on here and on Louise Newsom's new site Balance and now have a better understanding of the role of each of the hormones.

Things I want to address apart from ending periods: low libido (not helped by still having periods), night sweats (very controlled under current HRT), cyclical moodiness (not too bad under current HRT), general dryness of both skin and outer vaginal area (I started using Canesten moisturising gel once or twice a day and it seems quite good, and I don't tend to think I'm yet properly experiencing VA, though that could just be my general denial, lol)

Pre HRT I had quite bad PMS each month both on and off the contraceptive pill, and pretty bad night sweats, and years ago I got a prescription to postpone my period for a holiday and whilst it worked, I got awfully itchy skin - no idea if that might be relevant to going onto conti.

I don't want to use the Mirena (offset cervix, family history of breast cancer, aversion to artificial things in body) and I gather transdermal oestrogen doesn't reduce your libido, so I'm thinking patch/gel, but not sure whether to find an all in one or hope to get prescribed utrogestan....

SO.......on the Utrogestan/estrogel thread I read lots about ladies being zombified and exhausted and ending up moving back to sequi, so my question really is whether conti really is that bad.  Does anyone have good experience they can share?

I've got a GP appointment in a couple of weeks so any hints and experiences would be very welcome

Thanks

SS

[CLKD]

Get rid of the 'canastan' it is not designed for that type of use. 

Keeping a mood/food/symptom diary is useful.  Do read the 'bladder issues' and 'vaginal atrophy' threads, make notes ;-).  As oestrogen levels drop the body may become dry: inside and out.  Appropriate VA treatment really makes a difference as will 'ovestin' for the outer labia region, to keep it moist.  VA can mimic repeated urine infection-type symptoms really really well!  Treatment is necessary for life. 

The Change - my periods waxed and waned for several years B4 I realised that they had disappeared.  HRT will alter how your body stops, menopause being the last monthly period.  But we don't know until we've been at least 12 months free from bleeding.  If otherwise you are OK on the regime, I would stick with it. 

Family history of breast cancer: what types of cancer?  HRT should not be dismissed due to a 'history'.  Quality of Life is important.

let us know how you get on.

[Evangelista]

Hi CLKD

Thanks for the response.  I got the name of the product wrong, mainly because it's the same colours as Canesten, but it is called Canesintima and is a lubricant as per the blurb here: Canesintima is a lubricating moisturiser for the relief of vaginal dryness caused by the menopause, pregnancy, contraception or some medication.   It's actually pretty good as it comes in a small bottle that fits in the inside pocket of my handbag if I'm away for a day, and it's a clear gel dispensed in a pump, and a tiny amount seems to be enough.  I've not been using it for that long, maybe a couple of months, and don't feel I need to use it every day, but it does seem to help.  I've been thinking I need to accept that I am 'drying up' a bit more and so the VA threads are probably more relevant to me than I'd wanted to admit.

Re breast cancer - my GP hasn't dismissed HRT, but reading about contraindications for Mirena, one of them is history of breast cancer, and so it's something I picked up on to give my GP a reason not to accept the Mirena.  I'm in Scotland and although in a health board where Utrogestan is available, it isn't fully green-lighted to prescribe without good reason (not cost-effective enough for the Scottish medical authority)

SS

[CLKD]

Hi.   👋.   Have a lookC at the threads.  The Change - does what it says on the tin 

What ever you are using, it won't replace the oestrogen which causes the body to dry: inside and out.  However, if it helps and is easy to transport, keep it to hand until you decide upon VA treatment. 

[VictoryV]

Hi Steph,
My GP is in Inverness, she prescribed Utrogestan without me asking. Testosterone is issued for low libido, I’ve got a Testogel pump which has just been replaced with sachets. Oestrogel and Testosterone have kept my career going, the brain fog and anxiety went by day 3 of 3 pumps of Oestrogel and a pea sized amount of Testogel. I’ve not seen a specialist. My libido is back to normal.
I’ve not yet done 3 months of HRT so I have very little experience to share, I hope somebody with more knowledge replies soon.
Good luck with your appointment.
Victoria.☀️

[Evangelista]

Have just remembered the other thing that's getting worse that I want to address  - brain fog. Oh the irony.....
I'm having lots of problems remembering words and it would be good to get some help with that. Good job I'm making a list to take to the GP appointment......! 

[CLKD]

Oh brain fog is common.   

[Evangelista]

Indeed. Had it when pregnant and now got it again,  just that it's getting worse, so is also a factor in the GP discussion in association with HRT this time.
The joys of the peri woman!

[sheila99]

Most people are OK on most hrts. The trouble is you can't tell without trying it which will suit you and which won't. Fatigue is quite a common side effect from utro but you may be perfectly OK on it, many women are. I'd suggest you try it and see. For some people libido is restored with adequate oestrogen, others (including me) need to add testosterone.