So I am nearly 65. I have 5 children and the last are 11 year old twins. After they were born and I'd stopped breastfeeding I realised I was going into menopause. The Dr said the last thing I needed was coping with babies and hot flushes, so happily prescribed HRT. At the time there were a lot of contra-indications which have now largely been dismissed, but I did a great deal of reading to make sure it was safe.
It wasn't easy to find the right fit, but after several years I had estradiol patches and utrogestan orally (which changed to vaginally when I moved to Scotland, as they couldn't get it here
) As most of you know there is a shortage of all HRT products
and you frequently find your brand has disappeared from the market.
I have reduced the estradiol from 2mg daily to 0.4. I have to cut down a 0.50 patch to get it to where I want it! Because I'm only taking a very low dose I only take the progesterone once every 3mths and although it's bio and doesn't cause the massive depression I get with horse made ones, it still sets off my back pain and it's just too much for me now. Having twins in my 50s gave me SPD and that's weakened an already bad back.
So I have to stop. But I can't get past the 0.25!!!! Every time I reduce it to that I end up with ALL my menopause symtoms back again.
Anyone experienced this and do I just have to cope better? I stuck it out for 2 mths of symptoms last time and my husband was begging me to go back on it. No amount of natural products help. I'm a pescetarian, so have a healthy diet. I don't smoke, but do drink wine (which does make the symptoms worse if more than a glass or two).
Any suggestions would be welcome!
