New, have Hughes’, and am seeking insights on HRT versus bioidentical hormones

[Loubee22]

Hi everyone

I am new here and was diagnosed with Hughes’ syndrome and Sjogren’s a decade ago. I am now being advised by a gynaecologist to start HRT (excessive perimenopausal bleeding and severe osteoporosis), and wonder if any members here have any insights they can share regarding taking NHS standard-issue HRT or going down the bioidentical hormone route?

Many thanks, and looking forward to participating here,

Loubee22

[Jeantabs]

I didn't think hrt was appropriate. I was given a zoladex implant pre hysterectomy to shrivel everything up and had a stroke so I would get aps specific advice

[Momba49]

I will follow this post, as I am on conventional HRT . Gyn thought on it was prior to menopause we have hormones so taking low dose “should” be safe. i am on coumadin for APS over 20 years. I was miserable from hot flashes and complete inability to sleep. Since on them (approximately 12 months) its made huge improvement. I had read that transdermal patches safer than oral route and am scheduled to see gyn to discuss. I had also wondered about bio identical as well.

[GinaD]

before menopause, I was put on bioidentical hormones, and that addition changed my life. I was tapered off of the hormones in conjunction with menopause and have never felt the need to go back. In hindsight, and given my family history, I believe I have inherited a tendency to over produce estrogen. The bio identical hormone therapy emphasized progesterone and that made it big difference,

[MaryF Administrator]

Hi, are you under a Hughes Syndrome/APS specialist? It is dangerous to take oral HRT without guidance, and many will say no, although many find transdermal patches safer. If you do not have a specialist, you urgently need one. We have some in the UK under 'pinned posts; over on the right hand side of the forum, and also many on our charity website: ghic.world/ Having the right medical consultant in place will not only help you, but also your GP. MaryF