After four months, my body decided, "yeah, let's yeet this lining."

Ugh. Why??? I'm not going to use for anything! I thought I was well into crone-dom, but no! I'm still virile! Bah!

Make it staaaaaahp!!

I finally got a provider to prescribe T and it didn't take me crying! Anyways, any advice on what time of day to apply cream?

Hi

I'm 46 and post menopausal. About 4 weeks ago. I restarted HRT. It was successful last time but made my depression 10x worse so I went off it. I decided to not go back on anything rather than deal work my depression worsening. That was about 2 years ago. I've been dealing with the symptoms so I definitely needed to try again. But this time, I'm REALLY emotional. Crying at the littlest things. I'm only on 100mg Progesterone and .25 Estrogen. We started with a lower dose hoping my depression will not be affected. I did NOT have these emotions last time and my dosage was higher. Does this mean I need a dose adjustment or did I just get lucky last time and the emotions are just higher this time?

I feel like no one understands how this feels. Even my 76 yr old mom didn't go thru this. My friend who is menopausal never had any of the depression, anxiety, aches, crazy periods, etc. My doctor's make me feel crazy. And my husband doesn't understand. He thinks I need to get more exercise and that will magically fix everything. How do I get more exercise when my legs are killing me and I'm exhausted? 😢 Is this what the rest of my life will be?

I've had a focal seizure disorder since I was 13 and have been on medication for as long. Has anyone here had experience with this? I'm not looking for medical advice, just anecdotes so I can have an idea of what to expect. I've never been able to do hormonal birth control because it degrades the effectiveness of medications, but since my hormones are eroding, wouldn't HRT even it out? Idk. Just looking to see if anyone else is in the same boat as me. I have a doctor's appointment next week, so we'll be talking about it then, but I don't trust doctors, so there's that. LOL

Thanks in advance.

I know I am in premenopause. On HRT. My question is… has anyone had their periods lighten all the way till missing a period for 65 days? Also… did you go straight to menopause or did it take longer to reach it,after the first time you experienced the first missed 65 days?

Right now I'm dealing with dry, sore vagina but also lack of sensitivity. I do still manage to have an orgasm sometimes but other times it is either just painful or numb. The orgasms have significantly reduced in intensity as well.

I have started using Revaree which has been life changing for my day to day comfort and some relief with intercourse. I have tried three different estrogen creams which all cause me irritation and I have not found any relief from them. But in general my clitoris and vulva typically feel paper thin and delicate to touch. I can't handle any kind of manual stimulation and can hardly handle oral sex.

What has helped you?

Used a smidge of bag estrogen cream because I’ve been so itchy. Few hours later having anxiety. I’m so sick of the crap.

💩

Hi all,

Love this sub - it's been so helpful. I know this has been mentioned in other posts but wanted to ask what your experience is.

I'm 42, in peri for who knows how long. I'm seeing a NP tomorrow for a well-woman exam (Pap, referral for a mammogram, etc). I desperately want to get on HRT and also back on antidepressants. I feel like my laundry list of symptoms make me sound like a hypochondriac so maybe I need to stream-line my approach. I don't want to get put on birth control or be dismissed as women are in apparently every stage of life (I'm a lesbian so birth control isn't even a thing that concerns me).

My list of symptoms is severe depression episodes, IRRITABILITY, bloating, terrible sleep, tanked libido. I've had one hot flash so far. My cycle ranges from 75 days to 15 days for the past year. (Before that, I had a Mirena IUD since my 20s (different IUDs, no break in use) so I don't know how long I've had irregular periods because I didn't bleed). The periods are ok for now, light bleeding and PMS symptoms are "only" mental. (Yay!) I feel like my body is changing rapidly but it's subtle. I'm sure you all get this but unsure what a doctor will do with that information.

I'm also seeing a GP later this week so if it doesn't go well at the gynecologist's office, I have another shot. I haven't been on antidepressants since I was in my late 20s but this depression is scary and I feel like I need to get back on. I used effexor back in the day and it worked well so I was hoping to ask for that again.

I have crappy insurance and I can't afford to see a ton of specialists so I'm hoping I can make this work in the next two appointments. Both providers I'm seeing are women, thank god.

Maybe HRT won't work for me but I want to try because living like this is awful. What do I say? What do I not say?

Hi everyone! I new to starting to look into hormone therapy and I don’t exactly know where to go. I had a partial hysterectomy at age 33 due to endometriosis. I still have ovaries. I’m experiencing moodiness, really poor sleep, poor concentration, vaginal dryness, dry skin, flabby skin, loss of muscle, weak bones ( had a really bad arm fracture 16 months ago they won’t heal)…those are just some symptoms I can think of off the top of my head. This sounds like perimenopause right? And it makes sense with my age and lack of uterus.
I’m looking at starting estrogen and Testosterone and I understand I may have to pay for the Testosterone but I think the estrogen part will be covered by my insurance. Does anyone have anyone online places they recommend that accepts insurance? I’m just at a loss and I really want to start feeling better soon.

We are all vastly different in how we’re affected by various hormones, and progesterone/progestins seem to be especially tricky to “dial-in” for a lot of people.

For those of you who were on a particular progestin and switched to another because it was giving you issues, what was your process?

My situation: I’m currently using a .05 transdermal estrogen patch and 100 mg of oral micronized progesterone nightly. I’m having mood issues which I’m almost certain are due to the progesterone. (I have PMDD and ADHD, FWIW.)

I am considering trying out either CombiPatch or Duavee to see if I do better with a different progestin, or in the case of Duavee, none at all. For those of you who attempted a similar switch, did you:

• Stop the progestin component by itself for a short period of time to confirm that it was giving you issues or

• Stop everything altogether

And

• How long did you wait before trying out whatever the next thing was?

My doctor has recommended that I stick it out with this regimen for 3 mos before changing anything. It’s been a month so far and while the estrogen has been GREAT, I don’t think the progesterone issues are going to improve with this formula. (I tried the estrogen alone for a few days and felt improvement almost immediately; the issues started once I added the progesterone.)

I’m tired of losing so much of my life feeling crappy. Thanks for reading all this and looking forward to hearing about how you worked stuff out!

Hey Ladies,

I don't know if any of you can help me or have experienced anything like this.. It sounds like a good problem but please read on! (Excuse long post but I don't know how else to explain this!)

I'm 60 and postmenopause. I had a really difficult menopause in early 50s that really took it's toll in all ways and changed me a lot. I did it all naturally and never took HRT etc. Last few years things have levelled out and joints improved, mood just stabilised etc but I always felt a bit flat since, had terribe hot flushes for last few years, and my libido was virtually non-existent. Luckily i have a very patient, understanding partner and he has largely accepted it.

I watch tv to relax in evenings and I started watching a re-run of a series I liked 20 years ago, and the actor in it is the most gorgeous guy on the planet. I had kind of forgotten about him tho I always used to like him. Well I became a bit obsessed with watching this and it got me thinking about guys etc. (There is no-one remotely good looking where i live in a small village in middle of nowhere etc.) I also started meditation and don't laugh, eating lots of carrots and coleslaw just because I had read they can help hot flushes as I'd tried virtually everything else including loads of supplements, herbs, etc

Anyway what's happened is my libido seems to have come back big time at 60. But because I am so used to feeling nothing it is alarming me. The hot flushes have also disappeared - almost non-existent now. I know they can tail off in some women after a few years but this just seems too much of a turn-around and I feel suspicious of it, if that makes sense!

I just feel slightly alarmed at this new me as it seems too good to be true, and the libido is almost too much and a distraction... I have a bit of health- anxiety and I read this horrible doctor site where he said libido in older women can be a sign of something sinister etc caused by excess testosterone, but I'm too scared to go to the docs and start up any tests. I don't feel ill and no other symptoms really except I've put on weight... but I think that's from comfort eating the last few years.

Has anyone else had a rise in iibido post - meno?! Am I just being overly worried about it?

thanks so much

I’m on day 6 of mimvey and the fatigue is terrible and my stomach is really upset. Will this go away?

I'll be having my ovary removed at the end of this month, 7 years after a hysterectomy due to endometriosis. I'm in my mid 30s, had cancer at a young age and hysterectomy with remaining right ovary in my twenties.I was looking forward to what I thought would be relief, but now I'm so scared I'm headed into a life of more pain and discomfort than what I already deal with. The gyn put me on the highest dose estrogen patch a month before surgery so I could adjust, and within 4 days I was having hot flashes, night sweats, my vagina swelled up so bad it bruised and tore, got a yeast infection, and my moods were so bad I thought I'd have to sleep in the car so I didn't snap at anyone. I have a meeting with the hormone specialist tomorrow and depending on my options I'm considering backing out of surgery if this is what being on estrogen is like. Is this what everyone is experiencing all day every day? Is it just constant vagina upkeep, pain, and hormonal hell? Does it get better? I don't know what to do, if I keep the ovary (it's been hemmoraging/ Ovulateing every month causing pain and complications so they want to take it out due to cancer risks) has been awful, but if this is what life will be like after surgery I don't know if I can go through with it. Please help if you have experience, I'm feeling lost and alone

This might be a dumb question, but despite the literature talking about longer cycles, I try to wrap my mind about how this works in reality.

Do you still get pms? And at which time? Do you still get all of the symptomes of your regular cycle, but stretched to your new cycle lenght?

For example, if you have a cycle of 38 days and get pms, at which day do you get this? From day 15 to day 37?

I´m currently sitting here with a covid infection, a migraine on top and my period is very late. I had my normal pms and it stopped around the time I should have gotten my period. It could be the infection that messed my cycle up or peri and I don´t know. That´s why I ask.

TIA.

Hi all! 46 yo perimenopausal with hot flashes here.

I was on the Climara 0.05 once weekly patch with 100 mg Prometrium daily.

I'm visiting folks in India & I’ve have had the chance to buy an Estradiol pump gel called Estogel. It costs about $13 & I do not need a prescription for it. I do not plan to see a local gynec here as they tend not to prescribe HRT to people younger than 50. I have messaged my US Gynec for advice but she's on vacation & a response might be a while.

Advice appreciated from people who've changed from the patch to a gel or from someone who's cracked the conversion.

The Estogel label for use says:

17 beta Estradiol USP 0.06% w/w

Dehydrated Alcohol IP 40.00% w/w

Gel base Q.S.

The insert’s directions say:

"Each pump actuation will deliver 0.75 mg of Estradiol. The starting does is 2 pump actuations (2.5g which contains 1.5mg estradiol) of Estogel once daily. This dose will provide effective relief of menopausal symptoms in the majority of women."

I've tried one pump in the morning & feel slightly better than not having any Estradiol at all. No hot flashes but I feel more irritable in the evenings as the dose wears off. And my mojo to workout/exercise is pretty much gone.

I have also tried 2 pumps in the morning & find that it is at least as effective as the .05 patch & helps me feel much more functional (I'm able to workout & not be crabby in the evening).

I'm not really able to figure out an accurate conversion from patch to gel. Am I taking too much or too little?

:) Thank you!

I am running out of time, I have no more vivelle dot patches. I take bioidentical utrogestan (progesterone) and vivelle dot 25 normally. But the patches has been out of stock since summer. It has always been a hassle to even get those patches. I have had to call around, drive to cities far away to get them, which has been very stressful, especially since I also have rheumatoid arthritis, which makes me swollow up and make the menopause even worse. But since the patches are out of stock and nobody can give any answer to, when they will come back, I got another prescription for some other estradiol spray instead, but I had a terrible reaction to it. I couldn't walk or use my hands, was in terrible pain and swelling all over. So now, I only take utrogestan (progesterone). I don't want to take estrogen as pills, as I take other medicine too. I have tried to contact both doctor and gynecologist at the hospital, without any luck. I can't even get an appointment and I was told, that our government has told them, not to prioritize check up on women in menopause! 😳 😠 And now I have started to get bleeding again and I have pain. All because I can't get the patches. I fear I will end up in emergency hospital again and have a hysterectomy, because I have had surgery before (which was a horrible experience!) where they removed some of uterus lining, because it was thick and course of heavy bleeding that wouldn't stop. Can anyone help me get those vivelle dot patches, please? I live in Denmark.

I've been on cyclical 100mg P, without systemic E, and it was going well for a while, until the last 3-4 months some periods came after 20 days, instead of 26 or 28. That's scary. In all cases, the day before I had a good workout at the gym (yesterday I had strength training, it felt mid level, and the two previous times I had a HIIT, that was quite exhausting as I age, I used to master it in the past). I don't know if the physical activity is related, I am just guessing. However, by no means that I got too exhausted from yesterday's workout.

Anyone knows why my period got so unregulated, although Progesterone is supposed to help controlling it?

(I have been starting the P either on the 12th or on the 14th day of the cycle)

A space to discuss all things weight-related. Ask questions, rant, and/or offer advice about weight loss, gains, and diets, etc.

Our Menopause Wiki's section on Weight Gain has further information about the menopause/hormone connection, and risks of belly fat.

Posts about 'weight gain' outside of this thread will be removed and redirected here.

Also consider checking out:

• r/loseit
• r/WeightLossAdvice
• r/intermittentfasting
• r/keto
• r/xxfitness
• r/BodyAcceptance

Finally, I've found a doctor who has prescribed testosterone. For context, I'm a menopausal woman in her 50s, and I've been struggling with fatigue, brain fog, lack of muscle tone (it doesn't matter how often I lift weights), no motivation. I don't care about my libido. I don't want to deal with men anymore, so the less libido I have, the better. This doctor has ordered a compounded cream from the pharmacy Anazao. I I have to apply 1 click per day which corresponds to 1/4 of a gram. 
I've been taking estradiol valerate (4 mg) as soon as I got into menopause, but it hasn't done anything for my energy levels and muscle tone. For those of you who are using the testosterone cream or gel: 

1. Where do you apply it? I know my doctor has told me to apply it on my forearm, but I still want to know where you apply it. 
2. When do you apply it? At night or in the morning? 
3. How much do you use? I think 1/4 of a gram per day is very little and I will do my labs in 3 months, but I don't want any masculinization.
4. I've read a lot of negative things about the testosterone cream because it supposedly doesn't work. Have you noticed changes? How soon?
5. Has your skin become a little thicker and more youthful? 

Thanks!

I've had vaginal atrophy for a couple of years now. Vaginal estrogen worked great til about a month ago. I'm going to try a vaginal moisturizer, like vitamin e and if that doesn't work I'll probably try revaree (holding off for now due to the price).

Is there a problem using both estrogen and vitamin e? I figure I'll use moisturizer twice a week, and the estrogen twice a week, different days of course.

Thanks!

Hadn’t had a regular period for several months when I started having brain fog/memory issues. I had a few hot flashes, but the most bothersome symptom was this terrible “sandpaper vagina” feeling. Even just wearing underwear was painful! I was encouraged talking to my regular gynecologist about HRT. She agreed to start me on it, estradiol 0.1 mg patch weekly w/progesterone 200 mg every evening. I bled like clockwork every two weeks for quite some time, and I still felt lethargic. The doc agreed to reduce my progesterone to 100 mg in the evening and assured me that the bleeding would stop eventually. Meanwhile, I had my ferritin checked at her direction, which was quite low, and I began supplementing with iron, which subsequently has improved my mental issues. My other symptoms also improved!

So I had some sort of annoying RUQ pain before I started HRT. Unfortunately, it’s become a really painful problem now and I’m concerned I have gallbladder/pancreatitis issues. I’ve undergone a myriad of testing through two different G.I. doctors, all to tell me that it’s neuropathic/musculoskeletal. I truly don’t believe it is, as I have many of the risk factors and sadly they’ve only really ordered testing that specifically relates to my stomach/colon. At this point I’m just frustrated beyond belief. I don’t know what to do, or where to turn and honestly I’d take back all my menopause symptoms to get rid of this terrible abdominal pain. I have an appt to see a surgeon soon per the GI person but I truly think it’s because she’s tired of dealing with me.

Anyone else have an issue with RUQ abdominal pain on HRT and successfully been treated? I don’t want to have my gallbladder removed if they can’t tell me it’s the source of my problem. But I also would like to stay on HRT if at all possible. I like my gynecologist but she doesn’t seem super well-versed on HRT and even admitted there are a “mind boggling” amount of delivery methods available. I’ve cleanup my diet and cut out all alcohol to no avail.

Not the best start to my 50’s, let me tell you!

I hope this makes sense - I started HRT about 3 months ago. I was trying to use the patch but it was coming off constantly - I’d run through a box of 4 (weekly patches) in 5/6 days. My MD switched me to 1mg/day oral Estradiol.

I can’t pinpoint when it started, but recently I’ve been feeling shaky on the inside. I’m not noticeably shaky but my torso and chest - NOT my heart - sometimes feel like they’re vibrating? It hasn’t been happening long enough for me to figure out a trigger but I wondered if any of you have experienced this. I don’t drink alcohol anymore and my caffeine is limited to the morning, never past 10/10:30.

The estradiol has helped me inarticulably with hot flashes and migraines. This shaky thing that I THINK I can line up with the new oral dosage is perplexing. I’m in “complete ovarian failure” fwiw. I have ovaries but no uterus (hysterectomy in 2017).

I know this is a lot - thank you if anyone can weigh in.

When I am tired, I am cold. I tend to want at least one blanket when I go to sleep, but then I wake up feeling like I’m on fire - even if I’ve kicked off the covers. Even when I manage to go to sleep without the blankets, I still wake up burning up. Is there a solution that solves both problems, besides hormones (pretty sure I do not qualify)? I’d love to have some kind of blanket that can just regulate my temperature for me, since my inner thermostat seems to have retired.

I’m 52, have Hashimoto’s, and think I’m at the tail end of perimenopause.

I’ve been taking my progesterone vaginally for a while at my doctors suggestion when I couldn’t tolerate orally (felt like a zombie). Anyway, I take it daily (200mg) and when I take it I never have a period. Not that I’m complaining, I have anemia and this can only help, but why is this? I thought maybe I was just done finally with periods so I went off the P as an experiment, and started a full blown period 3 days later. So it’s definitely that keeping the bleeding away.

Going back on it, I know I need it. Going to try 100 mg instead this round so maybe it won’t work the same, I’ll have to see. But is this bad or is this ok? Couldn’t my lining get too thick with no bleeding? Will call my doc this week but wonder if anyone else has experienced this.

. . .feeling great except for the bloating and constipation. Ugh. Tell me it gets better? I know it doesn’t happen for everyone.

I searched the thread but did not find what I was looking for. Okay so some background - 41F pretty sure I started peri about 10years ago. Super weird body changes but complete loss of libido was the thing. 2021 diagnosed with CHF and put on what feels like a million meds. At some point in the last year my libido came roaring back but then a couple of months back my cycle changed. Google suggested peri so I scheduled an appointment with my gyno (female and most certainly within the age group for either peri or meno). Anyway, go see gyno and explain that im having every symptom under the sun (hot flashes, brain fog, dryness, no sleep, nasty mood, 5 UTI’s in 2024 alone 🙄 basically all the things). She writes a script for estridoil tabs and cream (I should note that I still have a uterus). Dr orders labs and ofc the labs are normal and says lets start BC. Now let me say prior to the CHF diagnosos I never took BC but after being diagnosed I asked to be prescribed because I didnt want any accidents leading to difficult decisions. I was given nuvaring but then my breasts grew about 3 sizes (at the time I thought it was meds but now I think it had to do with the peri) anyway I stopped taking it. This go round the gyno recommends Yaz which im semi cool with so long as it does not impact my libido. However, everything ive read so far suggests that it will tank my newly found libido ☹️ So my question is 1) Have you lost your libido with Yaz and 2) What would you do in this situation? idek if I can take HRT with the CHF

FYI I have two appointments with different doctors scheduled for the new year but just curious on your thought. Trying really hard to adult here 😩

Thanks!

Hi all! I (36) had a TAH BSO on 10/10. I went immediately into surgical menopause with hot flashes beginning within 72 hours. Of course my dr and I waited on HRT til I was 4WPO. I’ve been on HRT almost a month now with absolutely no relief. Progesterone 100mg.

I am wondering if it is worth coming off of the HRT and trying supplements (which, all help on that too) is a better route or if I should play around with HRT combinations?

I caught a video on Insta by Kelly Casperson referring to medroxyprogesterone as "the dick in the corner" when used with estrogen. Seemed like she meant it increases risk of dementia but it was not clear. Google hasn't helped. Can anyone explain to me what she meant?

Specifically from transdermal estrogen and oral progesterone. And did it help? Would love details. Thanks.