Menses, Mtx and Menopause..…

Hello women! I have finally got around to watching the two Davina McCall Menopause documentaries on All4.. I urge you to watch these if you haven’t seen them yet.

Anyway. This is a bit of a weird one… I started taking Mtx 12 years ago at 42. My periods stopped immediately. I had a few ‘hot flushes’ around this time, which I put down to wearing synthetic fibres (a rarity) and starting to take Mtx. The only time I have had a period since [for a month 😳] was about 6 years ago when my Mtx was increased to 25mg.

The mood stuff I’ve always had issues with as I have C-PTSD so no indicator there… Weight gain I started with a few years ago, which I put down to starting Amitriptyline and Covid hibernation (CEV).

So, dear readers, have I had the menopause?? It seems daft I don’t know but here we are.. have symptoms been subsumed by other things going on, or does it all still await???

I had hormone levels checked a few years ago, but all it said was that I am a middle aged woman 🤣 which I didn’t find particularly helpful..

I am going to ask my GP about Triple therapy HRT (Utrogestan, oestrogen and testosterone) when I go for a meds review which is due. Does anyone on here have experience of this, HRT generally, or Mtx affecting menses??

Thank you.. your views/ experiences would be very welcome

[Neonkittie17]

Have you asked your rheumy about this re the Mtx? It never affected me that way but we are all different. What would be ideal would be to consult a gynae with good knowledge of Mtx/the immunosuppressive meds. I hope your doc can help you. Do you feel your current symptoms need the HRT? I never had it as we were never sure if my hot flushes were natural meno, Fentanyl or Rituximab. (I’d say all 3!) They subsided 4-5 years post meno but were most obvious first 2-3 years. Good luck.

[Hidden in reply to Neonkittie17]

Thanks. It was the energy boost I was hoping for; I don’t have any symptoms hence my quandary..

[Hidden in reply to Neonkittie17]

I did mention it to my Rheumatology nurse, but she said there wasn’t a known link. * I just thought, no there won’t be if no-one records it!!

[Marionfromhappydays]

I know the definition of menopause is 1 whole year without a period but if your feel yours was connected to starting MTX I'd definitely ask someone about this.

For the brief period I was on MTX it affected my periods but the reverse to you. But I was only on it at the longest 5 weeks.

I'm definitely peri-menopausal and I have problems attributing whats RA related or menopause.ie dry skin, hair falling out.

I have weight gain, bursts of vile anger (honestly I hate it) and im having issues with intimate issues .

To use an analogy if our vaginas / genitals were pillows estrogen keeps the stuffing plumped so when peri and menopause hit our pillows can deflate ! It can affect our bladders, make sex uncomfortable etc etc

I never knew menopause could affect bladder and uti etc. Its been a big learning curve !

There are topical HRT pessaries to help plump the pillow plus systemic HRT, so much that isn't talked about alot.

I'm 49 and im not putting up with all this and my RA ! I saw a gynaecologist and she was awesome (she told me to watch Davinas programme), she's prescribed the pessary but I have to see my GP to get the systemic HRT which I will do when I get over this cold.

I would definitely float it past rheumatology about the MTX and maybe get on some HRT

[Garnacha in reply to Marionfromhappydays]

Love your analogy, pillows 😄 😘 x

[Hidden in reply to Marionfromhappydays]

Thank you. I will check my pillows later 🤣..

I remember when I did have periods, I always said PMS was like drinking a truth serum…

[Katie-Mag]

Hello,

I went through the menopause in my 20’s (first of my autoimmune issues!). Now approaching 50 and oestrogen patches and a mirena coil (progesterone) work well for me. Spoke with my GP recently about testosterone replacement- apparently they don’t prescribe this for women on the NHS in Cheshire.

I was diagnosed with RA in my mid 40’s and really didn’t enjoy my time on methotrexate (didn’t really work for me and lots of side effects). However I hadn’t had periods for many years by then.

Hope that’s helpful.

[Hidden in reply to Katie-Mag]

Thank you Kate. Wow, that must have been really difficult for you; well done for getting through it 🥰. I think I should maybe ask to be referred to a gynaecologist so I can have a proper chat.

Annoying about the Testosterone. You are not planning to be a body builder (presumably!) just want the right balance. Archaic thinking at work x

[Hidden in reply to Katie-Mag]

Hi Katie. I saw my GP a few weeks ago. Apparently two treatments are standard. They will only prescribe Testosterone if the two combo isn’t working. Push for it x

[Runrig01]

I started having menopausal issues, at the start of a severe flare that led to my diagnosis. The Dr took bloods which proved I was menopausal. I never got the night sweats, but suffered severe head sweats. Dr suggested trying HRT which I did, but found no improvement in symptoms. I’ve never had another period since. The rheumatologist reckons the going into menopause triggered the severe flare.

I do take 25mg MTX but had stopped periods before starting it. The head sweats continue to this day, with no answers as to why. I seem to have breezed through the menopause, thankfully m. Although I have had the weight gain, how much of that is attributed to steroids, I don’t know. I think you need to discuss with your rheumatologist and perhaps see a gynaecologist 🤗

[Hidden in reply to Runrig01]

Thank you. I agree, seeing a gynaecologist seems like a plan.

I had been going to the GP for years with debilitating levels of fatigue (in my 30s). This was then put down to RA when I was diagnosed with that (41), and then Fibro as it didn’t change with meds… Wouldn’t it be lovely if people knew more about women’s health 🙄…

[Garnacha]

I'm not sure how many ladies are in the UK or if it even makes any difference but I've been lucky to find a Facebook group that is run by a specialist nurse on menopause, she's local to me (South Wales) but, if you're able to access the link below & answer a few questions you should be able to join.

She's so knowledgeable on menopause & shares so much information, I was previously on hrt but the gp kept trying to get me off it, eventually I did but, there are so many benefits to staying on it contrary to what a lot of gps think including bone health & cardiovascular & wish I'd found this Facebook group sooner

Hope the link works for anyone wanting to find out more 🙏

facebook.com/groups/2871195...

[Hidden in reply to Garnacha]

Thank you, I will take a look x

[Mistress in reply to Garnacha]

HiThanks for website link.

I've just applied and hope to be learning more soon, you're a star!

Missy

[puffyface]

I am feeling like the mtx might be interfering with my oestrogen levels. I am on HRT, but when I started taking mtx 4/5 weeks ago, my awful headaches (which has stopped on hrt because oestrogen level was more balanced) have come back…

Does anyone know if this could be possible. Or, perhaps just mtx side effects. Am going to have to stop it. So sick and feeling awful I feel like I’ve been poisoned!!

The last time I tried mtx, I was also on hrt and no menses for about 6 months. That week, I bled a lot!! I stopped it and they did some scans… everything ok. So…there definitely must be something there.

I haves watched Davina…and been to Louise Newson clinic…and hrt patched (with both oestrogen and progesterone in them) are so easy and helpful.

Definitely talk to your doc 😊

[Hidden in reply to puffyface]

Thanks. The Mtx will be making you poorly. It is strong which is why we start on small doses and then incrementally increase. You feel ill until your body gets used to it.

Drink loads of water. Only take with a big meal and ask for an antiemetic.

[Hidden in reply to puffyface]

I too think there is a link, but no one's done the research 🤬. Or maybe it’s the RA that’s linked to hormonal changes…? Again no research 🤦🏻‍♀️

Hope things have evened out for you..