I’ve had RA for 5 years but the last year not had any symptoms so I stopped taking MTX and only on steroids if flairs.
I went to see a Chinese medicine doctor and she told me that I should have been taking progesterone whilst taking MTX to protect my fertility. I now have to contact my Dr to see if I can take progesterone to help with My menopause symptoms: heat flushes, mood swings and drastic hair loss.
Has anyone had early menopause due to RA? Or taken progesterone? Or have any tips? The hair loss is causing me extreme anxiety.
Thank you!
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sunshinegal
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I was never offered HRT but then I never went to see the doctor. I didn’t have any problems apart from hot flushes and I just took high dose sage for that. But I think my menopause followed that of my mum who went through it at 40.
My only symptom was absent periods, so got that checked out just in case anything sinister. That involved blood tests which confirmed I was already in the menopause and it was those results that provoked the locum rheumatologist to suggest HRT. I presume it was the increased cancer risks on top of increased risk of having RA that put the GP off prescribing it. I was in the habit of having soya milk on cereal rather than cow, not sure if it made any difference.
Supplementing with Progesterone is really good protection, be sure to take the natural one the Chinese doctor was a wise man.MTX effects the fast dividing cells in the ovaries and has thus an effect on hormon production. Here is some reading you might find useful about the benefits of Progesterone and supplementation.
The funny thing is that it has been shown that men with RA in fact have en excess of estrogen!
Usually in middle age when testesterone is lowered, the hormonal balance towards estrogen happens. Actually it is said this is the reason why men start putting on weight especially in the mid region.
I am sorry I can't help, but I started having premenopausal at 45 and started a low dose of HRT, I didn't have RA then, then I noticed my hair coming out a few years ago so they upped my HRT I been on it since being told I have RA this year 3 months ago, at age 54 yrs but I wondered if the HRT was making me worse so stopped it, I have found I am not in so much pain off the HRT I say I think? its not as worse? but I am getting bad hot flushes so would like to take my HRT but don't want worse pain with RA because of the HRT
I'm so sorry, it's crazy how this is all so inter related. My Dr told me that taking HRT was dangerous if you have RA so I wasn't offered anything to help with the symptoms. And the heat is manageable for me but the hair loss isn't.
As soon as I got the first glimpse of a hot flush I wrote to my Rheumatology Consultant and asked her opinion whether it was recommended and she said she could see absolutely no reason why I couldn't have HRT.
Told my GP and bish bosh have been using the patches since March and they work like a charm.
I'm not on Mthx but am on Hydroxy and Benepali. My hair has never been the same since diagnosis so I feel for you.
The problem is not the lack of estrogen but the balance between estrogen and progesterone which is after menopaus in fact in favor of estrogene. This imbalance where the amount of progesterone is too low this spells trouble.
Depends on your age and hormonal balance. The progesterone should be three times as much as estrogen. Have your hormones measured then you will be wiser.😊👍🏻Natural progesteron supplementation is not dangerous.
Is it your GP that has been giving you your HRT treatment? You could print out the stuff I've posted when you see your GP(?) You're GP may not be into recent hormonal research (?)
I am putting everything on a root canal I had done on a back tooth, I started off with jaw pain there before everywhere else
I have been back and there is a bit of inflammation there, the dentist wont see any link but I have read there can be, so I have an appointment on the 28th to have that bit removed, he is going to take half the tooth away, not all of it because its the back tooth and its in that jaw
the half he is leaving has grown new bone which he was shocked to see, new bone on a tooth growing, try and work that one out? I am 54yrs and have new bone growing on a tooth that was rubbish
my immune system is weird
keep your fingers tightly crossed for me everyone please for the 28th
Hi I’m 39 and not long been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis after seeing a doctor and complaining of so much pain and being almost bee ridden ( couldn’t be though as have small children) I am aware that methotrexate can cause hair loss but unsure if it’s because of menopause also..on reading your post though my actual cycle varies and so far this month I haven’t had a cycle ...! I think down to methotrexate and hydroxychloriquine and also suffer with sweating hot flushes and mood swings. Sorry I couldn’t really help you but thanks for sharing
you know its hard because you get hot sweats with a flare of RA, this has confused me, as is the sweats meno or a flare with RA and sometimes I am so confused as whats going on in my body
I had early menopause and never took a hormone supplement. I’m now 72. Recently diagnosed by a wonderful rheumy. Many doctors in past years said my bloodwork showed an autoimmune but nothing definite. My rheumy says it is regardless and I believe her. My body seems to work opposite of the “norm,” whatever that is. People drink to get a buzz, I drink and get deathly ill. People get an extra jolt of caffeine from a latte to stay awake. I drink a latte and get the best nights sleep. We’re all wired differently. None of us know the best steps to take, but if you truly trust your doctor, do what he says. And always pray hard!
Hello, I took progesterone years ago with great results. I also have taken Herbal Equilibrium from the Women's Health Network for more than 10 years. No menopause symptoms. I am also struggling with hair loss. I take biotin supplements. Please see a dermatologist, they may be able to help. Sending healing wishes to you! Be good!
This is news to me. So, RA can put you into early menopause?
And RA causes hot flashes and sweats? (which I've been experiencing and had no idea why). My GP or rheumatoligst don't know why I've been sweating nor do they attribute it to RA or my med Plaquenil. What hormones should a doctor check for menopause?
Hair was definitely falling out and strands were just landing around me. I saw a dermatologist who sold me a B-Complex, fish oil caps, multivitamin, a special liquid to massage into scalp and a thickening shampoo. It was expensive but it's stopped majority of the hairs from just dropping and hair seems fuller again. I have no idea which part of this combination is the one that has helped.
The doc should check estrogene/progesterone balance. If progesterone is low in relation to estrogene ( should be three times higher), then supplementing with natural progesterone would be a good idea.
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