Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Witchinghour]

I am due to be starting HRT after my next consultant appointment and, as it's coming up soon, I'm wondering what to expect.

What am I likely to be prescribed in the first instance?

[CLKD]

It will depend on your age and symptoms: whether you have had a hysterectomy for example ...... take a list of queries to the appt to discuss with the Consultant.  Is he a Gynaecologist or dedicated menopause knowledgeable medic.? 

Which symptom would you like to ease first? 

[SarahT]

Maybe take a look at the various types of hrt too, tablet form, patches,gel or spray. See what may suit you best, if you need progesterone, as CLKD mentions, what form may suit too, and discuss this on your appt. It seems fairly common that patches and oral progesterone seem to be suggested a lot.
Be prepared that it can take a fair while for your body to adapt to hrt, and in some cases you may feel a bit worse at first. Have a good browse on  here and I would definitely take a list of your questions in with you. It can be a bit of trial and error,what suits one woman may not another, but despite me taking a while to get things right am so much better on hrt than not.

[Witchinghour]

It will depend on your age and symptoms: whether you have had a hysterectomy for example ...... take a list of queries to the appt to discuss with the Consultant.  Is he a Gynaecologist or dedicated menopause knowledgeable medic.? 

Which symptom would you like to ease first?

She's an endocrinologist so not a dedicated menopause specialist but hormones are her thing so I'm hopeful it will be a useful appointment!

I'd like to focus on my total loss of libido and vaginal dryness in the first instance. All the others are tolerable at the moment!

Also, once I start HRT how will I know when I've actually hit menopause?!

[Witchinghour]

Maybe take a look at the various types of hrt too, tablet form, patches,gel or spray. See what may suit you best, if you need progesterone, as CLKD mentions, what form may suit too, and discuss this on your appt. It seems fairly common that patches and oral progesterone seem to be suggested a lot.
Be prepared that it can take a fair while for your body to adapt to hrt, and in some cases you may feel a bit worse at first. Have a good browse on  here and I would definitely take a list of your questions in with you. It can be a bit of trial and error,what suits one woman may not another, but despite me taking a while to get things right am so much better on hrt than not.

Thank you. 🙂 I've spent 3 years trying to get my thyroid hormones sorted so I'm quite prepared for it to take some time to figure out. Although I've not given up hope that I'll be the outlier and get it right first try. 😂

[CLKD]

When on HRT it isn't possible to know exactly - peri menopause throws up lots of unexpected symptoms: menopause = the last monthly period.  But we have to be at least 12 months without a bleed and even then, Mother Nature sometimes adds an extra so we have to begin counting all over again!

Vaginal atrophy can be sorted with localised treatments from your GP: 'ovestin' or 'vagifem' are usually prescribed.  To be used into the vagina every night for 2-3 weeks then 'as necessary': some can get by with every 3rd night and 5/6th, some need applications nightly.  Other mositoris can be used on the outer labia: or a combination of 'vagifem' internal with 'ovestin' on the outer labia.  Occasionally other forms of replacement is necessary to get symptoms under control.

It's a bit Trial and Error.  Thyroid function may be affected by peri menopause.  Talk to the endo about this in junction with HRT.

[Witchinghour]

I think the bit I get confused on is that if I'm on HRT which is causing a bleed each month how will I know when they've actually stopped? I know it's not that relevant really but I'm only 37 so it feels important to know.

Thank you for that. Its a relief to know there's a direct help for the atrophy. Husband will be pleased too. 😂

[CLKD]

'early' menopause then?  Although no one is 'too young' to go into peri.  As for knowing when we get into menopause, using HRT can be confusing.  MayB someone will be along with more info..

U don't need any blood tests or examinations, simply ring the surgery to speak to either the Nurse Practitioner or GP and ask for vaginal atrophy treatment.  If there is resistance ask them why ........ point them to MM Forum ;-). Do read the 'bladder issues' thread and those relating to atrophy.  Caused by a loss of oestrogen which may make the body dry: inside and out: deep in the ears, vagina, eyes, skin, scalp - 4 me it was itchy insteps when I took off socks at night, I would wake in the night with one ruff heel scratching the other  . And muscles may become lax = aches and pains. It's The Change: does what it says on the tin 

Let us know how you get on. 

[Emma74]

What I found helpful for me not liking to take any medication at all, once I was prescribed the HRT I sat with the idea for about 3 weeks before I put my first patch on (this was also due to extreme anxiety as well) . I was checking every 30 seconds for side effects  but actually I didn't have any at all. I was started on the lowest dose evoril patches and utrogestan. Good luck!

[Madge79]

Witchinghour I started HRT at your age too. To put it simply you won’t know.
I think I did know though as noticed a considerable increase in symptoms again once my own ovaries shut down. I’ve not been able to get my estrogen levels back up since unfortunately.

I have also had a couple of scans and been told my ovaries are barely visible and dormant so I gisss that can be a good indication too? 👍