Peri-menopause

[Admin]

Looking back I'm pretty sure peri must have started for me around the age of 40. That's when things started to change, but I never associated it with menopause.

The two main things I noticed was that I started gaining weight and found it a lot more difficult to lose, and I also found that I became a frequent pee-er at night. It got to the point where I was waking every 2 hours during the night to go to the loo. It didn't bother me that much because in those days I was still a really good sleeper, and I think I hardly even woke up properly when I went to the loo, and I'd be back asleep within minutes.

What really annoys me though is that doctors are so clueless about peri-meno. I complained to the GP I was seeing at the time that I was peeing constantly during the night and she sent me for an ultrasound (which is incredibly uncomfortable because you have to have a completely full bladder). When it found nothing, the GP made me feel like a complete freak because she said she didn't know what was causing it.

Derrrrrr - now that I know a few things about meno, even I know that frequent peeing is a symptom, so why didn't the stupid GP tell me it was probably because I was peri-meno?

Anyway, now that I'm on HRT that problem has been solved. I can sleep for 7-8 hours and not stir even once.

[stumpy]

Hi

Ive been on HRT 4 months now (Femoston 1/10) sleep is quite bad on teh estrogen only part, very anxious then too. Am hoping this will improve in time.

Does anyone else seem more anxious on HRT & please tell me it will improve!!

Stumpy xx

[Admin]

I actually thought that oestrogen should help with the anxiety and insomnia. Maybe you need to have your dosage checked. Perhaps you need an increase.

I do get anxiety, but for me it's a result of the insomnia which is my ongoing problem with meno. I found that I was progesterone intolerant, and got that sorted out by using Utrogestan, but now I'm sure I'm not absorbing the est in the patches. So I'm back to having insomnia again. Hopefully I will get that resolved when I see my GP next week.

[stumpy]

mmm I worry that if I go up to the 2/10 the angst will get worse.

Also i dint think i would get a period till the end of the prog part...but i get it within a couple of days of startign the prog part.

Hadnt had a period since december, started HRT & got first period in 3rd month of HRT.

so its like I am having PMT in the prog part as having a period, then in the estrogen only part as shoudl be having a period

Stumpy xx

[jacksfullofaces]

Just a theory here - the oral doses were invented before the patches.I bet that patches have not been designed to give a decent dose of estradiol. There has been much talk about lower doses of HRT. I suspect that women are being given medication in a poorly absorbed way which does not offer a decent dose of estradiol but aims to offer a lower then expected dose.
Jacks

[Admin]

Yes I would also like to know why patches work for some and not others. It would seem patches don't work for me. I was on patches for about 2 1/2 months and I thought I was doing okay, but I now realise that my levels must have to dropping slowly because suddenly not only did my insomnia return, but the hot flushes as well, and flushes seem to be the easiest thing for me to get rid of on a fairly low dose. I need the higher dose for the insomnia. So it would definitely appear that despite using 1 1/2 patches (ie 75mcg) I was not absorbing anywhere near that amount.

[jacksfullofaces]

I agree pills are cheaper then patches but from my observations women are inclined to stick with oral preparations longer and it makes me curious. Yes doctors do offer pills first then savvy women might ask for patches but I think sometimes they are jumping from the frying pan into the fire.
What is very disturbing though is the withdrawal of implants which have a high satisfaction rating.
Jacks

[Poppy]

Why have implants been withdrawn in the UK- is it mainly cost?

Or do doctors not prescribe them enough?

Never even heard of this option of HRT before joining here.

[jacksfullofaces]

NHS doctors rarrely offered implants. NHS is the largest supplier of health care in Europe. Therefore implants have been withdrawn by Merck on economic grounds - doctors say implants are old fashioned.
Jacks