PCOS, Perimenopause and HRT

[Hopeforabetterme]

Hello, I am new to the group. I have had PCOS for many years and I am now struggling with the perimenopause. Any advice on how you manage this new challenge? Thank you. I started HRT but although at the beginning it worked, it seems to have stopped.Thank you

[Hols969]

There is not a huge amount of info about pcos and menopause, I have been on the combined pill and am now 50 so am about to come off it and been looking at the route to take, which initially I thought the coil and HRT but reading up on it, it did slightly concern me so I am actually going to try the more natural route and have ordered some herbal menopause tablets to give them a try initially but I wont be surprised if I need to go the HRT route. Have you spoken to your GP about increasing the dose of HRT as I think this is an option?

What symptoms are bothering you particularly?

[Hopeforabetterme in reply to Hols969]

I tried the herbal route which I used to manage PCOS long term but it is just not strong enough. I started HRT and initially very well and definitely think it is a good option. I am on estrogel cream but I may need to change it. My worry is that the specialist prescribed testosterone and although it works a treat for healthy women, I am worry that this may not be the best approach for a woman with PCOS and wanted to see what other people thought. My symptoms are extreme tiredness, joint pain, mood swings, headaches and the general feeling of being unwell. ah! and memory loss. This has improved since started the HRT but still not close to what it was before .Also a general feeling of demotivation. Thank you for replying.

[Hols969 in reply to Hopeforabetterme]

oh typical menopause symptoms then!! I would look at other hrt options especially as it was working initially. I did join the menopause matters website but havent had much time to look around and see if there any comments from pcos ladies so that may be worth looking at.

I have to say I am dreading coming off the combined pill !!!

[Hopeforabetterme in reply to Hols969]

Thank you. yes they are. i am going to try Evorel patches and see if it works better. It is a nightmare to be honest. Hormones, who would have thought that they would be the source of so much unhappiness.

[Lulup19 in reply to Hopeforabetterme]

Might be worth asking your gp if they think underactive thyroid is a possibility. That has some similar symptoms.

[Hopeforabetterme in reply to Lulup19]

thank you. I did a test and it is normal according to the GP. The tests show that I am on the lower end of normal. Thank you

[Lulup19 in reply to Hopeforabetterme]

That’s good then, you don’t have to deal with that too.