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[luna66]

Hello All

I've been reading this forum for a few months and it's an absolutely wonderful resource. Thank you so much for your contributions - they've really helped me to assess my own situation.

I'm 51, and technically hit menopause last autumn, and, after trying acupuncture and nutritional medicine for four years of peri-menopausal symptoms (with varying, but not sufficient, success) I decided to get an HRT consultation. I was very unsure about starting it, but was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis in my lower spine. That clinched it.

I saw John Studd who prescribed 3 pumps of estrogel, 7 days pcm of utrogestan and testim gel daily. I've been on this since late October. Within a month all of my symptoms disappeared: no flushes or hot sweats at night and my sleep was excellent, anxiety reduced completely. I had some side-effects - thrush-like symptoms (which subsided after about six weeks) and dry cracking voice. After a couple of months my sex drive went bonkers (sky high), which is a bit unfortunate since I recently separated from my partner, but I'm at least having some fun on my own (!).

BUT, for the last two weeks (third month), I've had some digestive problems (loose stools and stomach aches) and this is very unusual for me as I have a great diet and excellent digestive health. I've also had a persistent cough. I have no idea if these are related to the hormones and wonder if anyone else has experienced them.

I was wondering if I could lower the estrogel dose a little since my menopausal symptoms have disappeared altogether.

Any thoughts? Thank you so much,

luna

[Mary G]

luna, there is a horrible bug going around and some of the symptoms are a cold, respiratory tract infection and loose bowels to name a few horrors. 

If you are doing well on that level of oestrogen I would not change it.  Getting the dose right is very challenging and I definitely wouldn't rock the boat, you don't want your symptoms to come back.  How do you take the Utrogestan, vaginally or orally?  Could it be that it is upsetting your stomach?  It is better used vaginally and has fewer side effects like breast pain, it also works better on womb protection when used in that way.

One other thought, Utrogestan can affect your throat and some women get a dry mouth/ulcers so that might explain your cough.

I'm pleased the regime is working out so well for you.  I am also a patient of Professor Studd and it was Oestrogel that finally gave me a much needed breakthrough.

[luna66]

Thank you MaryG, this is very helpful. I had wondered about the stomach upset and cough but they seemed like an odd combination of things.

I've also been feeling very down and tearful for a couple of weeks, since the end of my last 7 days of utrogestan. I suppose I should wait a little to see if these symptoms subside before changing anything. I have my 3 month check-up this week so will seek more advice.

Thank you!

[luna66]

PS I've been taking  the utrogestan orally so will Ask about trying it vaginally. Thank you for that suggestion.

[Hurdity]

Hi luna66

 

If you have reached menopause ie in the autumn you had 12 months without a natural period - so are now post-menopausal, eventually I would want to be on a higher dose/duration of progesterone than that, especially if you've been taking it orally. Used vaginally more gets to the uterus where it is need so definitely go with Mary G's suggestion. The Studd low progesterone regime is fine for women who are progesterone intolerant but does need regular monitoring of the womb lining as more thickening occurs with low dose/short duration regimes like he prescribes. This would be more of a risk once you have reached menopause because women who are ovulating fairly regularly will produce dollops of their own progesterone which will help to keep the lining thin in addition to the prog taken as utrogestan. Ideally you should be taking it for at least 10 days per cycle and if only 100 mg, then vaginally.

As Mary G says - in many women symptoms do tend to come back if dose is lowered - menopause is not something you get better from - but there are lucky women for whom flushes last for a shorter while and then disappear. Oestrogen deficiency and associated bodily changes - does last for ever once you've reached menopause so keeping up with the HRT will minimise negative effects.

If you already have severe osteoporosis - then it is essential to maintain high levels of oestrogen for as many years as you can - because when you stop (HRT), bone loss will resume.

Let us know how you get on at your 3-month check and whether you will be having regular  (endometrial) scans?

Hurdity x

[luna66]

Hi Hurdity

Thank you very much for this.

I had my 3 month check and the utrogestan (100mg) was increased to 10 days per month. I had so many other questions that I forgot to ask about the vaginal route for this. Do you think it would matter if I did this anyway without consultation?

I wasn't advised to have an endometrial scan, but I'm seeing my GP on Friday and can ask then. How often should this take place and can I do this on the NHS? I self-referred to Studd because my GP, a couple of years ago, wanted to prescribe anti-depressants and anti-histamine for hot flushes and sleep problems respectively. This didn't seem like the right response to me. When I asked about a specialist menopause clinic I was told that there were none (!). As a result, I've been paying for my treatment so far as I don't have health insurance but I'd like to start seeing my GP for check-ups now to avoid the big bills as I can't really afford them.

Thank you so much for your help and advice. This is such an amazingly supportive forum.

luna x