Can HRT stop working?

[EvieJ70]

Hi, I had a total hysterectomy June 22 and have been on everol estrogen 100mg patches since and my menopause symptoms were controlled for the most.

However, these past few weeks my symptoms have been creeping back starting with sleeplessness, night sweats, brain fog and now my skin is itchy as anything again. This affects my ears, soles of my feet, scalp , arms and legs !

I mentioned to my GP last week on my review but she said I was on the highest strength patch and it's most unusual for It to stop working after it's been doing it's job for the past year and a half. Has anyone else experienced this and what did you do to help. I'm taking menopause support supplements as well.

[wobblybee Administrator]

🙂This link could be helpful..

menopause-expert-kathie-coo...

[EvieJ70 in reply to wobblybee]

Thank you, I have had some stress at work so hoping it will calm down again

[MyStar86]

yes I had this when I was put on oestrogen only!!! I had crawling skin and insomnia along with anxiety and panic attacks so I added the progesterone in and within a day I was back to sleeping and the skin crawling went away so it sounds like you need progesterone xx

[EvieJ70 in reply to MyStar86]

Thank you. My anxiety is creeping in again along with OCD. Think I'll go back to my GP in the new year if still struggling x

[MyStar86 in reply to EvieJ70]

Also sometimes too much oestrogen can add to the anxiety especially without progesterone. I noticed it recently as my oestrogen spray wasn’t working properly so a few days I had an extra spray and I was so jittery and anxious so being on such high dose patches is also a possibility but it sounds like you definitely need progesterone as that’s what helps you sleep. Good luck xx

[MyStar86 in reply to MyStar86]

Also how old are you? Because I wasn’t even put on that level of oestrogen after my hysterectomy at 35 and I already have osteoporosis because too much oestrogen isn’t always good so it’s worth thinking about that too as they do a combi patch which a lot of women get on really well with and that’s only equivalent to the 50mg oestrogen patch but also contains progesterone xx

[EvieJ70 in reply to MyStar86]

Thank you for your help. I'm 53 and was already peri menopause before having my hysterectomy and was on a combined tablet. After my op I started on the lowest dose for 3 months and worked my way up to the 100 over a period of about 6-9 months. The patches have been brilliant up until about 2/3 weeks ago and symptoms slowly reappearing. I was taking menopause supplements as well but stopped them as kept forgetting them. Going to see how I get on over the holidays and start taking the supplements again and monitor my symptoms. I'm hoping it is just a blip as I was settled and dreading the thought of going back to the beginning x

[MyStar86 in reply to EvieJ70]

Good luck let us know how you get on xx

[Nemo24]

Yes it can reduce its effectiveness. Go back and see a different doctor. I moved from patches to oestrogen gel + progesterone tablet recently. Trying to suss dosage at moment but know it will help longer term.

[EvieJ70 in reply to Nemo24]

Thank you, when she told me it didn't happen when stable for so long I thought I was imagining all my symptoms again !

[JenniferBut]

I would suggest get your hormones looked at on blood tests. Worth to have an idea. Did you have your ovaries removed?

[EvieJ70]

Thanks, yes everything was removed.

[PNI-Admin]

Hi sorry to hear your symptoms have reappeared. I’ve been on hrt (2 squirts of oestrogen gel and progesterone capsules 2/4 weeks). It did improve my symptoms especially when I went up to 2 squirts if gel but over the past 5 mths the exhaustion, sore joints and lowered libido have returned as well as intermittent insomnia. I’ve got a drs appt next week and thinking of testosterone too as well as getting bloods checked. I really feel your frustration . I guess hormone levels can change having an impact on physical health x

[Chelle1234567]

yes Iam struggling the same I’ve spoken to my doctor but having no luck , I’ve paid to go and see a private specialist and so looking forward to it 🙏