TTMA HRT

[daisycat]

I am seriously considering talking to my dr about this as the jught sweats, brain fog, exhaustion, hair loss, etc are just getting too much.

Tell me the good, the bad, the ugly. Is bio identical or regular better? Patch, pill, cream, pellet? What should I make sure to ask the doctor?

[ellipses84]

I had my ovaries removed in my late 30s and have been on an estrogen only patch since then since then. I change it 2x/ week and if I don’t change it on time I sometimes get hot flashes, headaches, insomnia or ragey feelings.

I think there’s a lot of misconceptions about HRT based on old information, so definitely talk to your Dr. For early menopause, the long term health risks of not taking it can outweigh any possible risks associated with taking it, not to mention I’m way less miserable.

I have a high risk for breast cancer but there are a lot of flaws in an old research study about HRT increasing breast cancer risk, so my medical team including my oncologist, talked to me about it all and ultimately left the decision up to me.

[rosiebear]

Fatigue, hot flashes, and night sweats were absolutely kicking my ass. Got on HRT with only positive results.

TMI warning:

Sex was terribly painful before HRT; like, I understood why older women were so pissed that viagra was invented. HRT got me 75-80% better; a topical cream is getting me almost back to normal.

[shopgirl07]

I’m on the estradiol patch, also taking progesterone and a dhea supplement. It’s only been 6 weeks but my sleep has greatly improved. My other major symptoms, weight gain/inflammation and frozen shoulder haven’t improved yet but we’ll see. I might have to tweak the dose a bit.

All in all, HRT is a game changer for women. I expect to be on the patch forever. I’m like a broken record but I highly recommend following Dr Mary Claire Haver on instagram. She is the menopause expert and I’ve learned so much her. She’s a wealth of information and really doing the lord’s work.

[lovelovelove]

I also do estrogen patches 2x per week. They have 100% gotten my symptoms under control.

I don't love the patches as I find the come off easily or leave gross residue- either from water or sweat. I wear tegaderm (sp?) like wound cover patches over them and that helps a ton with the residue and moderately with the falling off. My Dr team does not want to switch to pills unless necessary due to slight increase in possibility of clotting and I have some risk factors there.

I highly recommend at least talking to the Dr about it if you are not feeling good.

[onetruething]

Ive been on the pellets for about 5 years now. It has been life changing for me. The only negative effect Ive had is that I've lost the higher register of my voice due to the testosterone. It's only one small downside in a sea of upsides for me, but just something to be aware of.

[definitelyO]

I have a Mirena IUD. I opted for HRT via the estradiol patch and I have a Rx for progesterone. I will say that it was almost immediate relief from hot flashes, etc.. The hair loss wasn't helped by HRT - but I am on another Rx to help with that.

agree with lovelovelove, that sometimes the patches come off and do leave a residue - I find that it's better with the name brand vs. the generic patches.

I think it helped the anxiety - but I had a TON of personal things going on at the same time I realized I was in menopause that have since resolved.

[mrsukyankee]

I love, love, love being on HRT. Best decision ever. I am on pills that have estrogen and progesterone. They remind me of the pill as you have two weeks that are 'pink' and two weeks that are 'white' (estrogen only followed by dual).

[ellipses84]

To add, the estradiol patches are tiny, like 1/4”x1/2”. Back in the day I used a birth control patch for a while and that was like 5x larger. There was residue with both but nowhere near as bad with the smaller HRT patch. I put mine on one side just below my bikini line and it only comes loose early if I’m doing a lot of swimming.

[shopgirl07]

I’m surprised to hear that people are having trouble with the patches coming off. Mine are really on there good! And, yes, it’s tiny, smaller than a dime. I mostly wear mine on the butt but I’ve also worn on my stomach with no problems.

[lovelovelove]

I need to talk to my Dr about these small, staying put patches! When I was on weekly the thing was the side of a coaster and like 1/8" thick! Those suckers always came off and were gross. The 2x weekly are smaller- maybe 1"×2" and stay put a bit better but let's just same I'm glad to change it every few days as it's definitely loose by then.

[heliocentric]

I started the estradiol patch about two months ago. I get progesterone from my Mirena. I thought my symptoms were pretty mild, but I had enough of them that my doctor suggested I try treatment. So far I’m really happy with the results. Fewer hot flashes, improved sleep (not perfect, but better), and my mood is much more stable. I had been struggling with depression (supposedly) that largely manifested as rage. I was like a simmering pot and the slightest thing would make me boil over. Since starting estradiol I feel so much better. One day I realized I was feeling more optimistic and rational. When I do get mad my response is reasonable and productive. I had low expectations, but in hindsight I wish I started sooner.

[mcppalmbeach]

I’m curious for those of you taking HRT if you don’t mind sharing how old you are how how your dr decided this was the right course of treatment for you — like did they do a blood test to determine you were in menopause or perimenopause or was it just based in your relaying of symptoms. I am 44 and for the last 3 to 4 years I have complained about the same issues to my gyno and my pcp - weight gain, exhaustion, horrible mood swings particularly around my period, at times heavy periods, increase of facial hair growth (like 30-40 chin and neck hairs that I was plucking daily), middle of the night wake ups that I can’t fall back asleep from, at times very heavy periods. Anyway, they all were like yeah, hormones. But no one has suggested HRT. I took it upon myself after seeing recs here to start taking a DIM supplement and within 5 days I stopped having chin hairs! It is so weird and I’m obviously happy lol. So that makes me wonder what else could be improved with some assistance…

[shopgirl07]

May 1, 2024 21:17:48 GMT -5 mcppalmbeach said:

I’m curious for those of you taking HRT if you don’t mind sharing how old you are how how your dr decided this was the right course of treatment for you — like did they do a blood test to determine you were in menopause or perimenopause or was it just based in your relaying of symptoms. I am 44 and for the last 3 to 4 years I have complained about the same issues to my gyno and my pcp - weight gain, exhaustion, horrible mood swings particularly around my period, at times heavy periods, increase of facial hair growth (like 30-40 chin and neck hairs that I was plucking daily), middle of the night wake ups that I can’t fall back asleep from, at times very heavy periods. Anyway, they all were like yeah, hormones. But no one has suggested HRT. I took it upon myself after seeing recs here to start taking a DIM supplement and within 5 days I stopped having chin hairs! It is so weird and I’m obviously happy lol. So that makes me wonder what else could be improved with some assistance…

Unfortunately, most doctors are woefully uneducated and unhelpful when it comes to this. Blood tests can’t really determine perimenopause as it’s just a snapshot in time. Good doctors will prescribe HRT based on a patient’s symptoms. My good friend is a doctor who opened up a practice dedicated to women in perimenopause and menopause. She listens to her patients, believes them, and prescribes HRT to see if it helps. Unfortunately I don’t see her because she’s my friend but I wish I could. Anyway, I’m in between doctors right now and went through Winona for my prescriptions. It takes like 5 min and is so easy.

[mrsukyankee]

mcppalmbeach, I was 51 or so (I waited too long - had symptoms for a few years). I just talked to my GP about my perimenopausal symptoms. You can't do a blood test for peri because our hormones surge/change regularly. I'm lucky that in the UK HRT is a very regular standard for peri and menopause.

[wanderingback]

May 1, 2024 21:17:48 GMT -5 mcppalmbeach said:

I’m curious for those of you taking HRT if you don’t mind sharing how old you are how how your dr decided this was the right course of treatment for you — like did they do a blood test to determine you were in menopause or perimenopause or was it just based in your relaying of symptoms. I am 44 and for the last 3 to 4 years I have complained about the same issues to my gyno and my pcp - weight gain, exhaustion, horrible mood swings particularly around my period, at times heavy periods, increase of facial hair growth (like 30-40 chin and neck hairs that I was plucking daily), middle of the night wake ups that I can’t fall back asleep from, at times very heavy periods. Anyway, they all were like yeah, hormones. But no one has suggested HRT. I took it upon myself after seeing recs here to start taking a DIM supplement and within 5 days I stopped having chin hairs! It is so weird and I’m obviously happy lol. So that makes me wonder what else could be improved with some assistance…

There are no blood tests. It’s based on symptoms.
I would be direct with your doctors that you’re looking for medicine for your treatment to help your symptoms.

[lavenderblue]

I fully admit to being very uneducated when it comes to female hormones and how they change during menopause. I recently went to my Gyn because not only were my cycles getting longer, but my period itself was getting longer. She talked about Progestin? Method but I didn't really ask a lot of questions, is that HRT or something else? Does taking the hormones make you have regular periods again? I've been kind of enjoying my long cycles.

[mrspez07]

Anyone have hormonal headaches that were helped by HRT? The rest of my symptoms are more manageable (except some brain fog/hangover that happens with each headache), but this would be my #1 complaint

[stinkyfeet]

May 1, 2024 21:17:48 GMT -5 mcppalmbeach said:

I’m curious for those of you taking HRT if you don’t mind sharing how old you are how how your dr decided this was the right course of treatment for you — like did they do a blood test to determine you were in menopause or perimenopause or was it just based in your relaying of symptoms. I am 44 and for the last 3 to 4 years I have complained about the same issues to my gyno and my pcp - weight gain, exhaustion, horrible mood swings particularly around my period, at times heavy periods, increase of facial hair growth (like 30-40 chin and neck hairs that I was plucking daily), middle of the night wake ups that I can’t fall back asleep from, at times very heavy periods. Anyway, they all were like yeah, hormones. But no one has suggested HRT. I took it upon myself after seeing recs here to start taking a DIM supplement and within 5 days I stopped having chin hairs! It is so weird and I’m obviously happy lol. So that makes me wonder what else could be improved with some assistance…

What is a DIM supplement and where can I get one! My chin hairs are out of control and my dr suggested laser hair removal.  It didn't help much at all.  I've got 40 ish that I pluck daily

[sdlaura]

Also wondering about DIM supplement helping with chin hair growth? I have always been hairy but it’s getting worse

[rosiebear]

I was completely through menopause before I got on HRT. Age 55 or so? I very much wish I had started them earlier.

[mcppalmbeach]

May 2, 2024 14:06:00 GMT -5 stinkyfeet said:

May 1, 2024 21:17:48 GMT -5 mcppalmbeach said:

I’m curious for those of you taking HRT if you don’t mind sharing how old you are how how your dr decided this was the right course of treatment for you — like did they do a blood test to determine you were in menopause or perimenopause or was it just based in your relaying of symptoms. I am 44 and for the last 3 to 4 years I have complained about the same issues to my gyno and my pcp - weight gain, exhaustion, horrible mood swings particularly around my period, at times heavy periods, increase of facial hair growth (like 30-40 chin and neck hairs that I was plucking daily), middle of the night wake ups that I can’t fall back asleep from, at times very heavy periods. Anyway, they all were like yeah, hormones. But no one has suggested HRT. I took it upon myself after seeing recs here to start taking a DIM supplement and within 5 days I stopped having chin hairs! It is so weird and I’m obviously happy lol. So that makes me wonder what else could be improved with some assistance…

What is a DIM supplement and where can I get one! My chin hairs are out of control and my dr suggested laser hair removal.  It didn't help much at all.  I've got 40 ish that I pluck daily

[

Dim is found in cruciferous veggies. It supposedly helps balance hormones. I had seen it mentioned here and wrote it down as something to think about for perimenopause. I haven’t really gotten a definitive “this is the dose you should take” information, but from my own research I landed on 200mg. I just ordered one on Amazon that had good reviews. When I was googling, I found some random Reddit post that said it completely cured them of their random chin hairs. I was completely shocked that I haven’t had to pluck since the first few days I started taking it. I wish I’d seen other benefits, but so far that’s worth it to me!

[mcppalmbeach]

May 2, 2024 18:40:20 GMT -5 sdlaura said:

Also wondering about DIM supplement helping with chin hair growth? I have always been hairy but it’s getting worse

See below!

[lovelovelove]

I was 37. My endo diagnosed premature ovarian failure based off of hormone testing over a bit of time & symptoms. Since then (2ish years) my dose has been adjusted a bit based off of symptoms.