When to start oestrogen patch and mirena coil

[fitwithgail]

Hi. I am having a coil fitted next week as the progesterone part of hrt. I have the oestrogen patches waiting. Can I start the patches a few days before having the coil?

[katiesails]

Hi Gail

I got asked to respond to you as I have a coil.

My coil was originally fitted due to my endometriosis and it worked a treat for that.

My understanding is in peri/menopause is occasionally used to try to protect the lining of the womb just like it does for Endo.

I don;t know what aspect of peri/menopause you are considering HRT for?

I've had very very minimal symptoms myself.

Happy to share what I did alongside my existing coil .

I never used HRT patches or any form of HRT.

But I did adjust my exercise and nutrition routines.

I found the nutrition had the biggest impact. I paid if i strayed ! a few hot sweats was the price paid for wine and sugar.

Plant protein especially soy based have been a key part of my routine. I am not vegan or veggie, but do have plant protein everyday, especially as part of my breakfast. This seems to be the key - if i miss it and have coffee and toast, I pay the price!

Hope that helps

[fitwithgail in reply to katiesails]

Hi Katie, I appreciate you taking the time to reply, thank you. The reason I have been recommended the coil is because when I have tried HRT before - oetrogen oatch plus either tablets or pessary for progesterone - I have had severe side effects to the progesterone.

The doctor recommended the coil because it's a very low dose and therefore not as likely to cause side effects. I need to have progesterone to protect the womb lining as you say if I am to take oestrogen.

The reason I want oestrogen is because I suffer very low energy, sleep problems, hair loss, itchy skin, joint pain etc etc. It varies but is definitely down to fluctuations in oestrogen. I am still getting periods - can be anything from a 25 day cycle to 50 ( i think the longest was 120 but that was also stress related in lockdown)

I drink occasionally (and yes I pay the price). My diet is very good (I am a nutritionist and exercise instructor as well as a full time worker and mum so it needs to keep me going in a good way) and I know what triggers worse days, eg high fat, sugar, not enough carbs. but I am interested in your plant proteins regime - what do you find works best?

Gailx

[katiesails in reply to fitwithgail]

HI Gail

So sorry to hear about all the things you are suffering from. I will share a bit about what I do and you're welcome to get in touch - lots of chats with my girlfriends these day about menopause 😱

I too have had a bit of joint pain for which I upped my intake of a high quality fish oil. And made sure I did my stretchee....I'm sure at aPT you're really good at remembering to do these.

In terms of plant protein

I try to eat some protein in all 3 meals and guess 2/3 is plant based. If I miss the protein out I seem to get energy dips and crave sugar. my sister in law has copied me with doing this and is feeling better

- I dont know if I am allowed to say this here but its what I do each day and seems to help. I have been using shakes (Herbalife) for breakfast for about 15 years. Initially very very reluctant to try these but I had been suffering fatigue issues and someone recommended I try them. Then as I hit peri-meno, A nutritionst who specialises in menopause encouraged me to carry on using them and said the soy in the ones I tend to use might be helpful. I also sometimes usea pea protein mix. I don't do too well with dairy so I stick with plant milks most of the time except in custard as my boys would really moan !!

As a family we've been doing more plant based meals or I try to incorporate beans and pulses into other dishes and soups. I used to sneak soy mince into things like Bolognaise and my husband and boys never noticed!

[DylanTheRabbit]

Hi fitwithgail, the oestrogen patches over time, will cause your womb lining to thicken and the mirena is used to prevent this. It's best to check with your GP or pharmacist (don't know about yours, but I can drop my GP an online message for little enquiries, I know some others have said they can phone theirs).

Good luck with the patches, I've found oestrogen is helping with so many symptoms, some that I hadn't even realised we're menopause related. It's also really helped me keep a healthy lifestyle, a positive spiral. I started to feel the effects after a few weeks and it can take a few months to know exactly how you will feel.

Regarding the mirena, the first time I had one put in I had spotting (sometimes yucky brown clots too) for a while and then my periods stopped completely. 👍🏼

[fitwithgail]

Thanks for replying. I have had it fitted now and it hurt and I have cramps but as long as I don't feel suicidal and I can eventually get the benefits of oestrogen, I will be ok.

I must admit I am terrified of weight gain having worked very hard to lose and keep weight off for 5 years.

[Hidden]

Hi Gail, I just had my third mirena coil fitted as part of my HRT treatment (have to change every 5 years), which I've been on for the past 15 years. I've found it a really good, effective way to manage my menopausal symptoms, alongside B12 injections for my B12 deficiency. You probably know that as you're having oestrogen only patches, you need the progesterone in the Mirena to protect from womb overgrowth. I would wait until the coil is in before you start your patches, just to be on the safe side. I hope it works for you like it has for me. I feel 20 again!