Hi, I’m going through the menopause, I just wanted to know if anyone on here takes HRT , I asked my Gp few months ago but because it wasn’t a full year without a menstrual cycle he said I wasn’t officially menopausal so he suggested to wait , well now it’s a year and I was curious if hrt and lupus meds are a good mix or not .
Thank you 😊 x
Make absolute certain you do not have APS/Antiphospholipid Syndrome. Estrogen will exascerbate clotting.
Yes, that's why I couldn't take HRT. I tried stay at home, it lasted 5 days then I couldn't feel my feet. APLS and Raynauds, a terrible combination. I have had Stay safe.
A Mirena progesterone-only implant does the trick for me! xxx
Hi I have SLE my GP wanted me on HRT but the consultant said no. So I put up with the menopause symptoms for years ... ok now.
I'm on hrt, I've had a horrendous menopause so there wasn't any choice tbh. I'm on hydroxychloroquine and have found hrt a Godsend. I think that it depends on how bad the menopause is, my GP says that I've been particularly unlucky with it.
I have lupus & Sjogrens along with Hypothyroidism and I’ve been in HRT for years. I couldn’t function without it. It’s all about finding the right balance of the hormones and that can take time.
Patches and oral meds didn’t agree with me and they didn’t eliminate my symptoms. Also, oral progesterone caused rapid weight gain which I stopped immediately once I figured out the cause.
What has finally worked is a custom compounded Bi-est cream (estriol and estradiol) that also contains progesterone. I don’t need testosterone. I apply the cream twice daily (am/pm). I also have twice yearly GYN exams to ensure my uterine lining isn’t thickening. So far so good!
I went into menopause early (age 49 - was in perimenopause for many, many years prior). All my life I was estrogen dominant so I had been on progesterone cream for years and years prior to starting HRT. I needed more progesterone once in menopause.
I had a total hysterectomy at 49 and was put straight onto HRT tablets. I stopped taking them because of side effects and have used estriol cream for the last 5 years. I don’t have any problems with it and neither the rheumatologist or my GP has suggested coming of it.
I’ve not heard anyone say wait a year after periods stop. Ask your GP to do a blood test to check your hormone levels.
Good luck
I asked my doctor for some HRT and she said they don't like you to have it when you have Lupus. She suggested a mild anti depressant but after a week I felt a bit numb so decided not to take it. My other doctor said to try evening primrose oil capsules as some ingredients are same or similar to HRT. I wasn't convinced but they actually worked quite well and I was pleased that I was able to manage on it.
That was nearly a year ago and I'm still taking them.
Hope you find something that works for you!
You have to have blood testing to know for sure. If you haven’t had a period in a year and your FSH is 30 or above, you are post menopausal. I have been on HRT for 9 years. I do not have a uterus so I only need estrogen. I also do not have Hughes syndrome, positive Lupus antibodies and my factor 5 Leiden antibodies are normal. If your uterus is intact you should take progesterone to protect the lining of your uterus from cancer. I know we had patients from some European countries that do not give progesterone. I plan on taking it for as long as they will give it to me because I have dementia in my family. I forgot to tell you so I had to edit my response, I have a SLE and I am on low dose prednisone and hydroxychloroquine. Take care X Nan
Hi Melaxx. Unfortunately the data on using HRT in lupus scares most providers. There were two studies with results that directly negated each other. See below...
nytimes.com/2003/04/22/scie...
So now many providers are hesitant to prescribe to people with chronic inflammatory conditions due to fear of exacerbating cardiovascular issues such as heart attack and stroke.
However, after the numbers are reworked, we are finding that HRT in post menopause is actually cardioprotective. I, one, am all for it. Menopause lasts for an avg of 5-6 yrs so anything that improves quality of life during this time should be used.
As everyone has said, if you have a clotting disorder, it is not recommended to use HRT due to estrogens ability to cause a hypercoag state. However, estrogen also has anti-inflammatory effects as well. It’s all about risks and benefits.
Discuss with your doctor. Ask lots of questions. If no a problem with clotting, I don’t see why HRT wouldn’t be an option. Keep us up to date with what you find or decide to do!
Hi there,
I am wondering exactly the same. I have APS and but am only single positive. My menopausal symptoms are preventing me from enjoying life and I'm desperate to hear other people's experience.
I hope people read these posts and let us know. Drs and consultants keep giving me different opinions. I am confused.
Thanks,
Honey Monster.
Body itching with HRT
lupus and the menapause
Lupus and soya milk/ estrogen 
Lupus and the menopause
lupus and the menapause
