Hi Niamh - I'm not familiar with using HRT for pms as you are - ie when you have a normal cycle, so I can't comment about the effects of high oestrogen, and how taking extra oestrogen throughout the cycle affects how you feel when your own oestrogen is likley to be high - just before ovulation.
Palpitations are not listed as a side effect of oestrogel (not that I can find on the prescribing info), however I did find this on the web:
http://menopausehealthmatters.com/symptoms-of-menopause/menopause-heart-palpitations/It says that palpitations are common in menopause due to fluctuating hormone levels ( it says neither high nor low) and these should settle when your hormones have settled - but I am not sure how/when yours will settle if you are not yet properly peri-menopausal - but maybe in the years leading up to cycle changes but when symptoms are usually experienced - and increased pms as you have (and I did too!).
Heart palpitations during perimenopause are normally considered to be a result of constantly fluctuating hormone levels. Studies have shown that fluctuating levels in estrogen during perimenopause and eventual decline is related to irregular heartbeats, non threatening arrhythmias and increased palpitation frequency.
If you are taking Hormone Replacement Therapy HRT you may also be ware of an increase in episodes of heart palpitations at the beginning of your treatment.
Menopause heart palpitations can increase your heart rate between 8 and 16 beats per minute. However, there are women who have reported heart rates of up to 200 beats per minute when experiencing heart palpitations.
When you experience heart palpitations for the first time it can be frightening but rest assured it will regulate itself again quite quickly.
Generally, menopause heart palpitations will discontinue within a few months when your hormones have settled.Hope this helps and also that someone who uses gel or other oestrogen and has been prescribed it in your situation will be along to share their experience soon
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Hurdity x