Weight gain

[Bambough]

Hi there, I'm new to this and I apologise in advance for the essay but I'm struggling with this and would appreciate some advice. I'm almost 54 been taking hrt for 3 years. Was first put on trisequens but was told by someone I shouldn't be on that while still having periods. Anyway having seen another doctor I'm now using gel and utrogestan. I've been on this for 9 months. After a month of feeling great I started bleeding and was constant for 7 weeks and since then haven't had 2 clear weeks in that time without spotting. I've also put on a stone in weight and having night sweats 4-5 nights a week. Doctor has changed dose to 2 utrogestan a day for 12 days with 16 days break. While applying gel every day. Nothing has changed but she said to stick with It. . My doctor said if this doesn't work I should have a marina coil or come off Hrt altogether. I've had copper coils for 20 years and find the procedure very painful. I don't want another.

I'm seriously thinking of coming off Hrt because I don't feel I'm getting any benefit from it. I feel like crap. I don't know what to do.

[wobblybee Administrator]

🤔It’s likely you already have the information in this link..but there may be something that hasn’t already been mentioned.

nhs.uk/medicines/hormone-re...

I was 54 when I had my very last period, this was some years ago..and my only option at the time was HRT patches. I could never manage to make them ‘stick’…so any benefit must have been variable..and I abandoned them.

But..I came off them abruptly…and it was like ‘hitting a brick wall’.

🤔You can search Healthlocked to see previous discussions about anything, see the searchbox (top left)…

🙂These were the links re Utrogestan

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

[Eviedog12]

Although the mirena coil procedure is painful, it's only for a few minutes. I have one and it's the best thing I ever did. No bleeding at all. I admit I didn't have it for the menopause, but if you can stop the bleeding, it's one less thing to worry about. Good luck x

[Jamima]

Hi Bamburgh, I’ve been in your HRT regime, in fact there’s not many I haven’t tried! If you’re getting night sweats either your oestrogen is still too low or the utrogestan is causing you to heat up, it does this. Have you had a blood test to determine your levels? If not, ask your GP otherwise you’re medicating using a crystal ball. Ask for full sex hormone panel as testosterone can take a nosedive at this stage. I’ve tried a Mirena 3 times and whilst the insertion was uncomfortable it wasn’t a huge problem. Have you had a vaginal delivery? If not, there are other coil options which are smaller and produce less hormone. I had to have mine removed as I just couldn’t get on with the progestin, levonorgestrel, but many women do and it also provides birth control alongside being bleed free. It’s a great option if you can tolerate the progestin.

[13cats-lives]

Hi Wobbybee,

I recognised all of your symptoms in myself over the years. I did have different experiences of treatment however. I was having irregular heavy bleeding, and was given the mirina coil by the gynaecologist at my local hospital. It is probably the best thing that I did to help with this. The irregular bleeding cleared up. It does contain progesterone. I had extreme symptoms of sweating and changes in both mood and sleep. I spoke to the doctor and the gynaecologist, and I am now on the oestrogen only HRT patches. The weight gain is perfectly normal, and please don’t think that there’s a quick fix. Healthy eating and exercise is the best counter measure, but I would be lying to say that your body will be the same weight as you were at even 35+. Wishing you good luck and health xx

[Belle76]

hi was you period free before starting HRT if so you should of been on utrogestran continuously. There is also a progesterone tablet call provera which you could try

Maybe you could also up the gel as 2 pumps of gel is quite low.