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[SassyRoo]

Hi

Im bipolar and also in perimenopause. Ive had one period since April last yr. Its suggested to take HRT to help with menopause symptoms and then we know what mental health we are dealing with. The problem is between ages 16-20 i tried 5 different contraceptive pills , but they all sent me a bit loopy , so im concerned about the effect of hrt.

Has anyone had experience of tolerating , or not, hrt where they couldn't the pill pls?

Or is there anyone with biploar out there who could share thei experience pls?

Many thanks
Sarah

[CLKD]

Hi!  Who is over seeing your mental health needs?  Also, who suggested that HRT would help with symptoms: R U able to tell us more, i.e how old you are.  Some of the symptoms ......

It would be important to know which contraceptive pills you tried against what is in current HRT.

 

[Amazing grace]

Hi sassyroo, I don’t have any experience with bipolar, but I could never tolerate any of the birth control pills in my younger years , I couldn’t even tolerate the coil they affected my mental health badly so I had my tubes tied at 26 so I could be free of taking any hormones, when it came to hrt I was dreading it thinking it would be like taking the pills but it isn’t I can tolerate it well just not at high doses hope that helps in some way xx

[Minusminnie]

Hi Sassyroo
If it helps at all a family member who is diagnosed bipolar is doing okay after seven months on Evorel Sequi and Aripiprazole.  This was given in combination following a manic attack.  Not quite answering the question you are asking about starting HRT and that possibly leading to something but maybe a combination of sorts, as you are diagnosed bipolar, would help you rather than just being given the HRT alone.

[laszla]

Sassyroo if I'm not mistaken the dose of hormones in HRT is much lower than in contraceptive pills which has to be high to impede pregnancy.
If you started on something like oestrogel you could also dose it gradually, start on 1 pump and see how you go and transdermal is a much nicer mode of delivery than oral. Oestrogen should help with mental stability

[SassyRoo]

Hi im not sure how to reply individually or if this will.

Im 48, and my gp now oversees my mental health. I was with cmht for 7 yrs but they just want people off the books.

I couldn't tell you which contraceptive pills i took as was over 30 yrs ago. I guess the docs would know...

My understanding is hrt is less hormones as Iaszla said so might place my hope in thag. I also agree with the suggestion of using the gel as there would be more agency over dosage. Thank you Iaszla

Thankyou too Amazing grace, this experience does help as its exactly my concerns... im really glad that a low dose has helped you

Minusmimnie, thank you , i take lithium already and i think i need a discussion around which kind of hrt. My middleclass male doc just said they do patches or gel i think... no discussion on which hormones might be most suitable.... your right i need to have a conversation around this..

Thank you everyone,  lots to think about. I appreciate you taking the time to answer and such valid thoughts too..

SassyRoo

[CLKD]

Morning.  MayB keeping a. mood/food/syptom diary would be useful to chart any rise and fall in hormone levels.

You could be referred to a dedicated NHS menopause clinic - not a gynaecologist - or your GP could liaise with queries so that you are working towards a solution together.

There is an option to send an e-mail to Dr Currie as well as specialists info at the top of the page.  Dr Currie has a charge for answering.  Let us know how you get on.