HockeyMama
Shiny_Rock
- Joined
- Feb 15, 2021
- Messages
- 323
Hello Meno Warriors!
I though I would re-activate this thread with an update & a couple of questions.
I started on a combined patch 15 months ago, which whilst it dealt with many of my symptoms, it caused me to start to lose a lot of hair. The GP was amazing & worked out that the synthetic progesterone in this patch was the same as the one in the Mirena IUD, which I had removed after 8 weeks for the same reason in 2016.
I moved onto Oestrogen Gel & a Bio Identical progesterone tablet. The hair loss ceased immediately but after 3 months, my symptoms were fully returning. At that point the GP put me onto a larger dose of Oestrogen via a patch, but the patch was huge & kept peeling off in the shower. In February this year I moved onto Estradiol, a Bio Identical patch, which is tiny & has been amazing! The combo of these 2 have been brilliant, despite still having some symptoms & zero libido.
My breakthrough bleeds with the Prog have been regular & normal, until 6 weeks ago. I’d had a teeny bit of spotting & then when my breakthrough started, it was literally 2 sanitary pads worth & stopped within a few hours. My next scheduled breakthrough made up for it & was heavy & 7 days long. I finished that bleed 10 days ago & on Wednesday this week, started to bleed heavily again, so only about 16 days after the previous bleed started. I called my GP yesterday & she referred me for a pelvic ultrasound. This is arranged for next Thursday.
I am sh!tting my pants. I don’t get any abdominal pains (apart from at the start of a breakthrough as I would a period, but none with this new bleed) & don’t suffer with bloating - this bleed is just out of the blue & I panicked that I’d wet myself when it first started. It’s now been 2 full days or what can only be described as a full on period, only lighter than my usual bleeds & a pad is lasting a few hours instead of my usually hourly change (I bleed excessively).
The GP seems to think it’s an imbalance of my HRT, probably caused due to a fluctuation of my natural, waining hormones (I recently turned 50) that has trigged the bleed. Her words were “It’s standard to refer for an urgent pelvic exam, but I am pretty certain it’s due to the HRT. Once the scan is done & clear, I will send you to a private HRT clinic for tweaking that I am not able to do here within the NHS.”
So. That leaves me with a week of panic & terror. One of my friends had something similar earlier this year (she takes the same Bio HRT as I do) with a heavy bleed every 14 days for 3 months. Her scan was clear & they never found the cause. It settled again & hasn’t happened to her since.
@missy Is this a common thing to happen? I am pretty stressed & debated pulling off my magic patch yesterday & doing away with it all, even though I know it’s hopefully nothing sinister. And if I do need some treatment of any sort, I am glad I was paranoid enough to call the GP after such a short time of ‘not normal for me’ activity.
Anybody care to share / offer reassurance?
I would also love info about the Fb group. I joined “women’s health and hrt”. Is that the one?
I'm not trying to start a disagreement either. My multiple IRL doctors have told me testosterone is crucial to my energy level, libido and bone/tissue health. They have nothing to gain from telling me that as they aren't selling me the pellet injection. They are doctors in the field in which they are dispensing medical advice.
Additionally, my own body's symptoms has shown that testosterone affects libdo as as well. When my testosterone levels were at near zero (through blood tests) I had zero libido even though I was on Estrodial and progesterone. When I started on testosterone pellet therapy, my libido went through the roof (too much for my liking). Now I'm on a creme, and my libido is where I want it to be after some tweaking of the level of testosterone in the creme.
No that group is poorly moderated but it has some overlap of members. Some valuable info but too much misinformation there unfortunately. The chief admin left and now it’s a free for all. I’d like to see them shape up though
Do you have my ig handle? If you message me I’m happy to link you to the group
Oops. Thank you. Which is the preferred FB group?
Hi @missy, thank you! I don't think I have the ig handle.
Have you considered going off of replacement hormones - at least internal or transdermal ones - entirely? I think that traditionally, HRT was offered for women going through menopause or adjusting to being post-menopausal. It wasn’t intended to be taken for the rest of one’s life. You are at an age where most women would be post-menopausal, as opposed to going through menopause. I went through a very early menopause and then took HRT for 15-20 years until I just got tired of it. Yes, there are some downsides to quitting but - some of them can be dealt with, and others I just accept as part of the privilege of getting older.
Thank you all for your kind advice & reassurance! I feel so much better for having got up & read this thread this morning.
@missy - the Estradiol & Utrogestran I take are both BHRT. I was adamant about that after the synthetic Prog started causing hair loss. Usually things have different names between Europe & the US, but it’s made from yams & my hair hasn’t been this thick for at least 5 years. It still sheds when it gets jaw length, but it’s thick & I no longer have to style it to disguise visible scalp, which I’ll take.
Presumably when I’ve had the all clear from the scan & I get sent to the private Dr, I can discuss testosterone? And is this something that can also be BHRT? I was on your Fbook group but came off it again, because there was a lot of traffic that wasn’t relevant to me because I’d been put on synthetic medications initially. None of the posts made any sense, so I bowed out. I’m not a big Fbook user, so on the times I went on it was flooded with irrelevant chat about dosage adjustments & things beyond my control, as I just had a patch slapped on my hip & that was it
@Ally T, I will probably get bashed here for what I’m about to say. I see a doctor who specializes in gynecological cancers. This doctor is also head of the research lab on ovarian and endometrial cancers at a large well known teaching hospital. I had my yearly appointment with him last month. When I asked him about bio identical hormones he was against them for me. Ovarian, endometrial and breast cancers run in my family. I’ve taken HRT in the past with good results under this doctors care.
It makes me uncomfortable when people tell others to get their information from Facebook and look to people who are not doctors specialized in this field for advice.
OK back for a moment after pilling my sweet Tommy...
@Ally T just adding one more comment if I may. This is a good friend of mine who is in the medical field
"Menopause does not go away. You will continue to decline and put yourself at risk for diseases. You can take them until your last day. You need to research further. Without adequate estradiol, you are at risk for the following. Poor immunity, joint pain, osteoporosis, bladder and vaginal atrophy, vaginal dryness and tearing, BC, dental decay, dry eyes, cardiovascular problems, weight problems, insulin resistance, brain fog, etc. Our bodies are designed to die, without hormones your skin will become thinner and dry. Your quality of life will diminish. I am not joking when I say your zest for life will disappear, you will stop caring because your have no emotions left, you will however become depressed, emotional outburst or the smallest thing, you will yell at family. You've had hormones since conception."
"Remember, for so long women died so much earlier than we do now, so it was no big deal. But we want and deserve great health for as long as we live. And those scare tactics out there about breast cancer? Been around a long time and pertain to old-school synthetic HRT. Take a look at information pinned by our lovely admins about that subject. Listen… these have changed me life, I will do BHRT forever!"
The risk is with non bio identical. Not bio identical.
Another study shows (I will search for it later if I have time) that those who are diagnosed with breast cancer and who are on BHRT have a BETTER prognosis than those who are NOT taking BHRT and get diagnosed with cancer. Read that again. That is another fact.
The NHANES study involving over 5000 women followed for over 20 years showed no increase in breast cancer risk or other types of health risks
FACT: Kent Holtorf, MD, published an article in Postgraduate Medicine: Volume 121: No. 1, entitled “The Bio-Identical Hormone Debate.” He analyzed all of the published clinical studies of the time and presented a “meta-analysis,” a powerful way to look at evidence-based studies in the medical world as it examines all of the available data rather than a single study. This particular review has 196 cited references. His conclusion:
“Physiological data and clinical outcomes demonstrate that bio-identical hormones are associated with lower risks, including the risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular disease, and are more efficacious than their synthetic and animal derived counterparts.”
Another myth is about progesterone and if you do not have a uterus you do not need progesterone. FALSE!
FACT:
"You do need progesterone, but not Provera. Progesterone is protective against breast cancer. Progesterone also has a positive effect on moods. Progesterone enhances bone formation."
FACT:
"Long-term health benefits include prevention of bone loss and improved cognitive abilities, as well as reduction in cardiovascular risk and prevention of general fragility. The other potential long term health benefits include prevention of tooth loss and prevention of macular degeneration leading to blindness. Many women continue HRT indefinitely due to the positive impact on quality of life and those long-term health benefits."
When making a personal decision about hormone replacement therapy, look beyond the headlines and carefully weigh the risk and benefits. Always use bio identical hormones. Replace the full complement of missing hormones, which in women includes progesterone testosterone and of course estradiol.
OK I am off my soap box. I hate seeing women mislead other women about hormones. I mean I hate seeing anyone mislead anyone about anything but this is critical to our overall health and well being and I just cannot remain silent. You can do whatever you like with the information. If it makes you search for more answers that makes me happy. Whatever your decision make it based on knowledge not fear. Knowledge is power and advocating for oneself is empowering in a way I would like to see all women behave and take control of their own health!!!
OK back for a moment after pilling my sweet Tommy...
@Ally T just adding one more comment if I may. This is a good friend of mine who is in the medical field
"Menopause does not go away. You will continue to decline and put yourself at risk for diseases. You can take them until your last day. You need to research further. Without adequate estradiol, you are at risk for the following. Poor immunity, joint pain, osteoporosis, bladder and vaginal atrophy, vaginal dryness and tearing, BC, dental decay, dry eyes, cardiovascular problems, weight problems, insulin resistance, brain fog, etc. Our bodies are designed to die, without hormones your skin will become thinner and dry. Your quality of life will diminish. I am not joking when I say your zest for life will disappear, you will stop caring because your have no emotions left, you will however become depressed, emotional outburst or the smallest thing, you will yell at family. You've had hormones since conception."
"Remember, for so long women died so much earlier than we do now, so it was no big deal. But we want and deserve great health for as long as we live. And those scare tactics out there about breast cancer? Been around a long time and pertain to old-school synthetic HRT. Take a look at information pinned by our lovely admins about that subject. Listen… these have changed me life, I will do BHRT forever!"
The risk is with non bio identical. Not bio identical.
Another study shows (I will search for it later if I have time) that those who are diagnosed with breast cancer and who are on BHRT have a BETTER prognosis than those who are NOT taking BHRT and get diagnosed with cancer. Read that again. That is another fact.
The NHANES study involving over 5000 women followed for over 20 years showed no increase in breast cancer risk or other types of health risks
FACT: Kent Holtorf, MD, published an article in Postgraduate Medicine: Volume 121: No. 1, entitled “The Bio-Identical Hormone Debate.” He analyzed all of the published clinical studies of the time and presented a “meta-analysis,” a powerful way to look at evidence-based studies in the medical world as it examines all of the available data rather than a single study. This particular review has 196 cited references. His conclusion:
“Physiological data and clinical outcomes demonstrate that bio-identical hormones are associated with lower risks, including the risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular disease, and are more efficacious than their synthetic and animal derived counterparts.”
Another myth is about progesterone and if you do not have a uterus you do not need progesterone. FALSE!
FACT:
"You do need progesterone, but not Provera. Progesterone is protective against breast cancer. Progesterone also has a positive effect on moods. Progesterone enhances bone formation."
FACT:
"Long-term health benefits include prevention of bone loss and improved cognitive abilities, as well as reduction in cardiovascular risk and prevention of general fragility. The other potential long term health benefits include prevention of tooth loss and prevention of macular degeneration leading to blindness. Many women continue HRT indefinitely due to the positive impact on quality of life and those long-term health benefits."
When making a personal decision about hormone replacement therapy, look beyond the headlines and carefully weigh the risk and benefits. Always use bio identical hormones. Replace the full complement of missing hormones, which in women includes progesterone testosterone and of course estradiol.
OK I am off my soap box. I hate seeing women mislead other women about hormones. I mean I hate seeing anyone mislead anyone about anything but this is critical to our overall health and well being and I just cannot remain silent. You can do whatever you like with the information. If it makes you search for more answers that makes me happy. Whatever your decision make it based on knowledge not fear. Knowledge is power and advocating for oneself is empowering in a way I would like to see all women behave and take control of their own health!!!
Thank you for this @missy! Also, I sent you a message on IG.
I am just now ending my first full year of meno. So far, the symptoms have not been intolerable. Annoying, but not intolerable which makes me wonder, do symptoms increase as I get older? Do they worsen in intensity?
It makes me uncomfortable when people tell others to get their information from Facebook and look to people who are not doctors specialized in this field for advice
I am just now ending my first full year of meno. So far, the symptoms have not been intolerable. Annoying, but not intole
@Ally T. You asked for others experiences with HRT in this thread. I shared what I was very recently told by my gynecological oncologist. It was not my intention to fear monger. I did not state false information. I apologize if it was taken that way. I always try to keep my comments short and factual in these types of threads.
I’m sending you good thoughts for your test on Thursday. I know how anxiety inducing this can be. As always, I wish you nothing but the best Ally, Callie
Thank you @Bonfire.
I feel like we have NEVER talked about this enough, historically we as women are truly suffering and it's like the butt of a joke. I'm so glad we (in general) are talking about this more. It's really crazy to me how bad it is and yet I feel like I am the only one suffering and talking about it, are other women just dealing with it and suffering in silence? It's really nice to hear this conversation. I was on birth control until 3 months ago. I have been on birth control since i was 18 and just have been on it my entire life, so 33 years. I regularly went to the doctor, every 6 months as required. No one seemed to think there was anything wrong with me being on it all this time. I was still having menopause symptoms even with the regulation of the pill. Last time i was there as I was walking out AFTER my appointment I said "Is it bad that i have ben on the pill for 33 years?" and she was like "ohhhh.... well, maybe you should come off" ... I have used the same practice for like 20 years, why did i have to ask?
Anyway, they had me come off the pill and now I hate life. LOL. The pill must have regulated my symptoms better because this sucks. I was perfectly happy and normal on the pill except for night sweats, but now I have all 43 mesopause symptoms. I didnt know some of these were symptoms until they happened and i googled it because there is some weird ish happening!! She said she will give me HRT after I have been off for 3 months and get bloodwork, so my three months is up next week.
We need to talk about it more, i had NO idea all this would happen, we need to talk to our younger neices and daughters etc about it because i was unprepared! LOL! I had NO idea all this would happen!
One of my favorite memes: