Perimenopause Moans #3

[Woolmercardington]

Louise Newson has no doubt helped lots of women but has also had a lot of criticism for putting women on too high a dose. There's lots online. These clinics shouldn't really exist as the NHS should provide what we need.

Louise Newson: TV menopause doctor concerns probed by watchdog

Doctors and patients question the prescribing of high HRT doses by Dr Louise Newson and her clinics.

www.bbc.co.uk

Very interesting, but worrying at the same time. I'm sure I recollect that there have been concerns about her in the past. Can't remember what specifically, though. Maybe for the same thing?

It's such an absolute minefield because I occasionally watched some videos from a US menopause expert (who advocated both HRT and natural alternatives - she wasn't saying one was better than the other but was certainly pro-HRT) and I specifically recall her talking about dosages and how doctor's prescribing the lowest dose is a waste of time and that most women need much higher, etc.

I agree, though, they should be no need for these clinics. But it's like my GP when I requested starting the patch, like I'd asked her for a prescription of the devil's gunk

 

[Stimpii]

Not sure if this is the right thread but I’m 4 days post op having had my ovaries and fallopian tubes removed.

Need to contact my gp to arrange some hrt before my surgical menopause kicks in. Not really sure what to expect.

 

[BerlinILoveYou]

Not sure if this is the right thread but I’m 4 days post op having had my ovaries and fallopian tubes removed.

Need to contact my gp to arrange some hrt before my surgical menopause kicks in. Not really sure what to expect.

I don't have any experience in this area but just wanted to send you some strength and good wishes x

 

[Kewpie]

Is it normal for the body to seem to give up on ovulating but still be having periods? I've been tracking my cycles with BBT and LH strips for the last few years and have had a few 7DPO progesterone tests so I know I was ovulating before, but suddenly, based on symptoms and BBT/LH strips, I haven't ovulated for 4 months... But I'm still having periods.

I'm not sure if I'm in peri or not, but I think I probably am as I'm 38 and my mum says she started around this age. My periods have been getting shorter especially this year, but started with a rogue short cycle 5 years ago and then more and more short ones from then on out. I have other symptoms like brain fog, memory issues, anxiety, itching, and now for the last few weeks I keep waking up at night as though it's morning. I get right back to sleep but I seem to wake up every 2 hours starting from around 1 am. It's so bizarre and I've never had anything like this before.

 

[Stressed]

Not sure if this is the right thread but I’m 4 days post op having had my ovaries and fallopian tubes removed.

Need to contact my gp to arrange some hrt before my surgical menopause kicks in. Not really sure what to expect.

I think you'll be ok, I have had a similar experience in needing hrt early for medical reasons. I just went in saying I need to have hrt because I've been forced into early menopause, am under 51 and my consultant has said I'm am at risk of.... because of this. Hope you are recovering well!

 

[BerlinILoveYou]

I'm so ready to get off this bloody emotional roller coaster. I really hope the doctor prescribes me some HRT and it helps. Feels particularly rough today.

 

[LetsCallEmOut]

My god am I glad I found this thread!! I’m only at the very start of peri becoming unbearable and I think forums like this are just indispensable for realistic and specific advice, and shared experiences. Thank you all.

I have unbounded rage about my biology books from school (circa 1995), wherein there was ONE LINE at the end of the chapter about periods, sex, pregnancy, and childbirth which said “when a woman reaches the age of 50-60, her periods cease and she is considered to be in menopause”. That was it.

 

[Stillwater]

Comrades Solidarity. 47, cycle very erratic. Mercifully a brush with hot flushes year before last seems to have gone on hiatus or ceased.

Has anyone else developed a sun sensitivity? 30 minute walk in early spring sunshine at 10am and I am sunburned and itchy. Not prickly heat. No new skin or fabric products and anyway at least 24 hours since anything went on my skin as I shower after my walk.

I have been randomly clawing at hands, lower arms, ankles lately so must be something afoot.

Googling suggest Polymorphic Lite Eruption. Amazing. Literally allergic the sun.

 

[Louby@21]

I’m defo more sensistive allergy wise which i know can be a peri symptom. Always had hayfever but it seems to be more plants/trees so from now onwards. Dust irritates me easily. I do get a bit itchy from the sun. But then i’m just itchy anyway!

My symptoms are quite manageable for now and im grateful for that. I do anticipate trying HRT before i’m 50. Im not a fan of taking long term meds but absolutley won’t be living life feeling like rit as it progresses. Also the bone health thing…do take some very basic supplements. Menopace and magnesium, vit d spray which we should all have anyway.

My sister needed it for her emotions/moods which mine aren’t too bad really… but more erratic but ok. But for now about 5/6 years since my anxiety kicked in. Nutrition and exercise are holding me firm Lots of walks outside and’s in nature helps my mood

 

[Moonflower]

My headaches are back with a vengeance. The whole reason I started HRT was because I was having hot flushes with headaches the week before my period. Now I'm having them every day and they are increasingly debilitating. I thought I was going to be sick at work on Monday. painkillers don't work and the only thing that helps is lying down in a dark room.

I had a docs appointment last week and they did more blood tests, all normal and then suggested I try a mirena. I'm not keen on this for so many reasons.

I'm not sure whether to just come off HRT altogether. I've another appointment today so we'll see what they say I guess. I'm so fed up with it now.

 

[Stimpii]

I have my prescription for hrt now but I’m so confused by it all. Could do with speaking to my gp again as they told me to take the progesterone for 2 weeks on and then 2 weeks off so I’ll still have a period every month. But from reading online you can take it daily and not have any bleeding.

It’s all so new to me and I don’t think I’m actually having any menopause symptoms yet.

 

[Suzesnooze]

My headaches are back with a vengeance. The whole reason I started HRT was because I was having hot flushes with headaches the week before my period. Now I'm having them every day and they are increasingly debilitating. I thought I was going to be sick at work on Monday. painkillers don't work and the only thing that helps is lying down in a dark room.

I had a docs appointment last week and they did more blood tests, all normal and then suggested I try a mirena. I'm not keen on this for so many reasons.

I'm not sure whether to just come off HRT altogether. I've another appointment today so we'll see what they say I guess. I'm so fed up with it now.

My friend was advised she couldn’t have HRT due to her migraines.

 

[SingSong]

I have my prescription for hrt now but I’m so confused by it all. Could do with speaking to my gp again as they told me to take the progesterone for 2 weeks on and then 2 weeks off so I’ll still have a period every month. But from reading online you can take it daily and not have any bleeding.

It’s all so new to me and I don’t think I’m actually having any menopause symptoms yet.

You can have sequential or continual HRT.

I'm on continual, so I use an Estrogen patch 2 x weekly. I'm also on a progesterone contraceptive pill but also take progesterone tablets nightly.

I've gone for this option as I had very heavy periods and wanted to get rid of that hassle, so the contious progesterone stops them.

If you have a look at some of the menopause websites, like menopause matters, they should have some helpful information.

I hope you manage to get the help you need.

 

[Moonflower]

I have my prescription for hrt now but I’m so confused by it all. Could do with speaking to my gp again as they told me to take the progesterone for 2 weeks on and then 2 weeks off so I’ll still have a period every month. But from reading online you can take it daily and not have any bleeding.

It’s all so new to me and I don’t think I’m actually having any menopause symptoms yet.

My GP cautioned me against this. The progesterone is there to keep the womb lining thin and if you take it daily and not have a period it can cause problems. She said the guidance of taking it everyday is for people who don't have a womb anymore, so if you are in perimonopause it's not advised. But obvs do your own research!

 

[BerlinILoveYou]

I have my prescription for hrt now but I’m so confused by it all. Could do with speaking to my gp again as they told me to take the progesterone for 2 weeks on and then 2 weeks off so I’ll still have a period every month. But from reading online you can take it daily and not have any bleeding.

It’s all so new to me and I don’t think I’m actually having any menopause symptoms yet.

I've just seen this in the book I'm currently reading. Just adding it in case it's helpful x

 

[Stimpii]

My GP cautioned me against this. The progesterone is there to keep the womb lining thin and if you take it daily and not have a period it can cause problems. She said the guidance of taking it everyday is for people who don't have a womb anymore, so if you are in perimonopause it's not advised. But obvs do your own research!

Thank you. My sister is in the same position as me. We’ve both had our ovaries and fallopian tubes removed as a precaution. But she takes it every day. Her surgery was a few years before mine tho.

We live in different areas of the country so maybe following different guidelines.

 

[really_whythough]

My headaches are back with a vengeance. The whole reason I started HRT was because I was having hot flushes with headaches the week before my period. Now I'm having them every day and they are increasingly debilitating. I thought I was going to be sick at work on Monday. painkillers don't work and the only thing that helps is lying down in a dark room.

I had a docs appointment last week and they did more blood tests, all normal and then suggested I try a mirena. I'm not keen on this for so many reasons.

I'm not sure whether to just come off HRT altogether. I've another appointment today so we'll see what they say I guess. I'm so fed up with it now.

I know it’s only one element of a complex and debilitating problem, but cutting out caffeine entirely helped ease my hormonal/monthly migraines. They were 5-7 day affairs until this time last year when I gave it up.

 

[really_whythough]

New symptom to moan about (so glad this place exists for it!) painful acne spot on my back. Apparently can be drops in estrogen causing increased oil and lower skin turnover. I guess I should be grateful I’ve never had it before. Buying boots salicylic acid patches as I’m too old to be rocking the silly star ones! Any other tips welcomed!

 

[petitspois]

New symptom to moan about (so glad this place exists for it!) painful acne spot on my back. Apparently can be drops in estrogen causing increased oil and lower skin turnover. I guess I should be grateful I’ve never had it before. Buying boots salicylic acid patches as I’m too old to be rocking the silly star ones! Any other tips welcomed!

I saw a dermatologist say to buy salicylic acid (£3 on Amazon) and wipe it across your skin with a cotton pad as a preventative measure. I’ve also seen sprays.

 

[BerlinILoveYou]

Another one here for the salicylic acid! I use the Q+A body wash - game changer x