HRT Questions

[Sparklingsunshine]

I wondered if any members could recommend or suggest good bioidentical HRT products. I've been on HRT for nearly 7 years. I went into menopause very abruptly after I came off the pill.

A lot of weird health issues reared their head at the same time and I admit I wasn't very well at the time. I've mentioned before that I suspect my pituitary gland got damaged during childbirth in the 90's due to massive post partum haemhorrhage.

I certainly didnt have your traditional menopause. Had two periods after I had to come off the pill due to high bp and then nothing. And nothing since. Was an abrupt cessation rather than a gentle decline 🤣

I did get the hot flushes, insomnia etc which prompted me to seek out HRT, I started on Femoston conti tablets , oestrogen and progesterone but was still getting symptoms so due to my sudden menopause plunge my GP recommended extra oestrogen so I've been taking Estradiol as well. So each day 1 Femoston and 1 Estradiol tablet.

I've done well on this and had no issues or symptoms but I'm wondering if I'm causing problems down the line with the extra oestrogen , I'm adopted so have no idea of breast or other cancers related to oestrogen that could be in my genes. I'm also wondering if I could feel better than I do if I was to switch to a bioidentical HRT.

I also think HRT has come on more since I started and there are other options available now. However I admit my ignorance and would welcome some pointers. I've booked a GP phone consult for a couple of weeks.

[TiggerMe]

I'm thinking you are meaning the newer body identical rather than the unregulated bio identical?

balance-menopause.com/menop...

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to TiggerMe]

Probably lol. As I said I'm very unaware of all the different types of HRT, I'd like to carry on taking it but was wondering if there are better choices than the ones I'm currently on. If you've got any advice or tips I'd be grateful.

[SarahJane1471]

As TiggerMe says it’s body identical that is regulated and you get on NHS. The link is to Dr Louise Newson website that is the latest on information about HRT.

Transdermal HRT carries very little risk and gives women a lot of protection against heart disease and bone damage.

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to SarahJane1471]

Have you got any pointers please?

[SarahJane1471 in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

TiggerMe has a link that is very useful

[ERIC107]

Hi Sparklingsunshine - I'm on HRT (on it before my thyroid diagnosis) and went straight onto body identicals - I insisted on them. I use Oestrogel: an oestrogen gel containing oestradiol, one of the natural forms of oestrogen found in the body, and the contents of Utrogestan capsules: which contain progesterone - again the natural form found in the body. I say "contents of" as the capsule that contains the progesterone is made of gelatine, an animal-derived product, and I'm vegetarian so I can't eat the capsule itself. The contents are fine as they're in an oil-based suspension.

I recommend any trans-dermal (skin application) options as they are supposed to be somewhat safer than oral versions. I have friends who are very happy using patches that have various, pre-formulated amounts of oestrogen and progesterone (or a form of progestogen, which is not body identical). I have also happily used a spray version of oestrogen called Lenzetto, which I got specially so I could take on a plane in hand luggage - the volume of the gel bottle is bigger than 100 mL. Plus, with the spray or the gel, it's easier to fine tune the amount of oestrogen applied, rather than having to cut up patches 😊

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to ERIC107]

I see a lot of members mention the gels, are they applied to the skin or elsewhere lol 🤭? I've also seen Utrogestan mentioned as a gel? But you take capsules. I'm veggie as well so dont want gelatin products. It seems there's a lot of choice out there. Thank you. I find it funny that there has been a push towards body identical hormone HRT but most doctors dont support NDT.

[ERIC107 in reply to Sparklingsunshine]

Ha! Yep - Oestrogel applied by smearing on skin... either upper, outer arms (but needs to be away from breasts) - or, I prefer, smeared on thighs... I just find this easier. I also put it on at night before bed - but I have a friend who does hers in the morning before getting dressed, the choice is yours! 😁

I'm pretty sure Utrogestan is only in capsules - the Clinical Pharmacist spent a lot of time trying to find body identical progesterone that was vegetarian for me. It seems micronised, body identical progesterone only comes in capsules... but it works fine if you pierce the shell of the capsule and squeeze the contents onto your tongue - no ingesting of animal product that way.

You're right about the wild inconsistencies in prescribing!