Hello
I’m after some advice, I’ve been on HRT for nearly two years now, I’m with a private clinic, but also have the support of my GP.
The reason for going to a private menopause clinic was a back up plan incase my GP would not agree to HRT.
I am peri menopausal, still having periods.
I cannot tolerate the patches, but seem ok on the Oestrogel gel, I’ve tried 2 pumps, 1&1/2 pumps with negative effects, so stuck to one pump. Everything was going great.
The issue I’m having is with the Progesterone, I go down hill when taking it, and as each month goes by, my bad days are more than good ones.
I was originally taking progesterone orally 200mg, but, advised to take it vaginally 100mg by the private clinic.
I was informed as I am using a small amount of gel, this would be safe.
I take it two weeks on two weeks off.
for the last 3 months I have become angry and anxious and although I love cleaning (always have) this is getting out of hand. I’m obsessed with getting rid of clutter and I can’t seem to finish one job I’m jumping to one job to another. My to do list is getting longer and I feel like a hamster in a wheel.
I’ve gone back to the gym, hoping more exercise would help. That was an ordeal in itself, as I got myself so worked up walking in the class, I felt physically sick, but I am ok now.
I’m having negative thoughts and feel so flat. Put it this way, if I had won the lottery or a dream holiday, it would not excite me at this moment in time.
Rather than contact the private clinic (I can’t keep spending that kind of money), I went to speak to a nurse to see if she had any ideas.
I told her all my symptoms and she had given me a trial period of anti depressants sertraline. Everything I listed was anxiety related.
To be honest I’m frightened to take them, she’s given me 50mg, but I thought about taking 12.5mg, to start.
When ever I increased my estradiol my boobs get huge and painful and I was so tearful.
I think the culprit in all this is the progesterone.
I do have some Cyclogest that the clinic gave me to try, this was when I was taking progesterone orally, but, when I started vaginally I was ok, so never used it.
I know lots of ladies are fobbed off with anti depressant rather than HRT, but any of your own experiences would be great.
My poor husband whom is a loving kind man is being shouted at all the time and I hate it. My sex drive is zero.
I’ve given up drinking coffee, thinking this was having a negative effect and fizzy drinks. I don’t smoke or drink alcohol either.
Any suggestions would be greatly received as I just don’t know what to do.
Best wishes & take care