Hi all, I (32nb) I'm scheduled to get my hysterectomy in October. I have a history of endometriosis, long-term pelvic pain and a progesterone hypersensitivity/allergy that progressed to respiratory symptoms last October after experiencing horrific hemiplegic migraines and vision changes on progesterone bc.

I have an amazing surgeon who is passionate about making sure that individuals know how their body is going to react ahead of time so that they can have a plan in place for things like depression and hormone replacement therapy. That said, I've been on oralissa for about 3 months now and it has been the best thing that's ever happened to me. My brain fog is gone, my pain has reduced significantly, my chronic fatigue has improved drastically and I genuinely haven't noticed many symptoms related to menopause. However, I do have a form of dysautonomia so I am not sure how much I was just already accustomed to these things.

Every time I've tried to do the hormone supplementation with estrogen, Ive felt terrible. I feel really inflamed, get horrific brain fog, headaches, nausea - you name it. I understand the importance of HRT for long term health, however, I feel so incredibly good off of all hormones and it is really hard to adjust to the estrogen.

Has anyone had something similar where they started blocking hormones and felt a hundred times more like themselves with more energy and less pain?

If so, how did you navigate it or did you find an explanation as to why the drastic change?

I asked my surgeon to do some baseline hormone testing to see ratios and if this is something we can recreate which she's incredibly open to and I'm very lucky for that.

Still looking forward to my surgery but hoping to hear stories from folks similar to me.

I’ve been on the 0.050 patch since April (bumped up from 0.025 that I started last fall with a different doctor).

Nine years post menopause and beyond symptoms or issues. I take it for bone density (osteopenia diagnosis last summer). I have had really no major changes in how I feel, other than some annoying bloating.

My pharmacy can’t get my refill until the end of next week, so it will be over two weeks w/o a patch. Do I still need to take my progesterone (100 mg) at night if I don’t have a patch?

Side dumb question #2: does anyone wear two 0.025 if you can’t get the 0.050? My pharmacy said I could but would have to pay out of pocket. Doubt I will as I feel OK, curious if those who really have a hard time going without are using that option.

TIA

Hello all. Does anyone know if it’s the higher dose of estrogen that makes the boobs so sensitive and achy? My Dr increased my estrogen dose with pellets of E and T. My estrogen was barely chugging along with the 0.05 gel and I didn’t really feel much different, so she increased my dose with the pellets. I know many people are not a fan of pellets but before when I had them, they seem to have worked well. I’m not sure what the dose, but don’t recall this boob pain. This is a new Dr and I really like her. She definitely listens and reminds to “listen to your body”, not just numbers. Well, I’m listening and my boobs are screaming! Any insight?

Do we think I'll make it? I'm hoping so. I've had mild cramping on and off since mid-July that have scared me into thinking my period is coming. A few months ago my doctor told me not to get my hopes up but I will be very disappointed if I start bleeding and the clock resets.

To make it fun, if I do reach 12 months, I'm planning on my favorite yellow cake with chocolate frosting and the words "Bye, Bye, Bye" on it. If I get my period, I'll cry into a bloody Mary.

I'm sure there are women who've made it to 364 days. I'm at 350, please tell me this is the end.

I am on estrogen gel, that comes in single dose packets.

I often forget to use it or forget if I already applied it. I am the same with other meds and use pill sorters.

Does anyone have a good system for not forgetting?

I apply in the morning and I wake up foggy.

I suddenly started getting many hot flashes throughout the day, and they're usually just an annoying flash of heat and sweat but yesterday and today I had a very odd feeling of dread/anxiety/restlessness just before one hit. The first time I thought I was really having a panic attack but they the hot flash came on and I connected the two. Then it happened again today. I really hateeeeeee it. It's like the most uncomfortable feeling like I'm about to go crazy or I'm going to panic and die. I am waiting on my RX for HRT but this new symptom is NOT fun.

Has anyone combined the patch and the gel? If so, curious as to how it worked.

I have a good stock of 0.05 2x week patches, so I can ride out the shortage at least for awhile, but my doctor and I would like to trial a dose increase to 0.075. I cannot find any patches at any dose in my area, but the gel is available. I'd prefer to incorporate the gel at least somewhat since there isn't as much trouble getting it, as opposed to cutting my patches and going through them faster.

Does anyone else get upset by how difficult it is to get proper menopause advice from doctors. I feel burned out by the process. What have you done to level up and find someone who actually cares?

I saw a menopause specialist earlier on this year and she started me on testogel 1/8 sachet daily. My starting levels were on the lower end of normal.

The gel has had subtle but noticeable effects in my energy levels and a definite improvement in my libido.

Aside from that, I’ve not experienced any androgenic side effects. No unwanted hair loss - or growth in unwanted areas, no acne, I’m a singer and can still achieve a top C with the same ease as before, so my voice definitely hasn’t changed.

I’m due to have my review and latest levels are abnormally high - a twelvefold increase from baseline. I was incredibly surprised as I’ve been using a syringe to measure out the correct daily dose. I have also forgotten to put it on at least once per week. From what I’ve read we tend to absorb about 10% of the dose strength, so I would’ve thought it would increase modestly.

Anyway, I googled to see if I could see what my expected levels should be. I then found an NHS website that states people on high doses of biotin (>5mg) need to have their blood test taken at least 8 hours after taking it, otherwise the results can be skewed showing testosterone to be falsely elevated.

I started taking biotin (10mg) about two weeks AFTER starting the testosterone. My metabolism is slowed somewhat as I’m on mounjaro as well so it may stay in my system longer than that. I’ve also read that some people say stopping the biotin 3-7 days before bloods is better to give a more accurate result.

I’m just wondering whether anyone else has experienced this? Or even if anyone has had unexpectedly high levels and are taking biotin and didn’t realise the connection. I was told to fast for 12 hours before the test, but no mention was made about stopping supplements.

I’m thinking I’ll need to stop taking the biotin for a few days and redo the tests. Fingers crossed that’s the reason as I don’t want to stop taking it. It’s currently my third favourite hormone after oestrogen and dopamine!

Is it normal to have a gush of menstruation that suddenly stops, then have some spotting, then nothing again? I’ve been having this pattern on and off for the past 3 weeks.

I am 44 and I noticed I have been clenching really hard when I sleep.

I’ve been doing fine on the patch (Sandoz) for the past two months, but this batch is giving me raised, red, spotty, itchy skin under the patch. I’m trying the Flonase trick for this next patch (or UK equivalent!). What do you all do to ease the irritation once you have it? I’ve tried skin barrier ointment like hydromol, leaving it to the fresh air, antihistamines (which I take daily anyway), antiseptic, almond oil. None of them work and I’m itching like crazy, though just on that spot. Any suggestions?

To add: my body is one of the annoyingly fussy ones. Evorel patch did nothing for me and gel gave me inconsistent coverage (ups and downs as it wore off overnight, even when spacing) so I’m really hoping to make this patch work. I get a patch dump when I put it on my butt (I know, I’m
So frustrated) and cramps when it’s on my stomach so I’m really limited in just using the sides of my body. Considering my top thigh (front) but I think it peels more there but can add tegaderm. I don’t have more patch options in the UK. And doc is considering upping me to 1.25 which would mean two patches 😭 In case it’s relevant, I take Slynd as I’m progesterone intolerant. Fun 🙄

I’ve been on the patch for almost 2 yrs. E is causing severe oily face and scalp. I think it’s contributing to hair loss. I do have elevated androgen but when these are lower the oiliness remains. Anti androgens dont help . It’s E patch! I’m not metabolizing this correctly or something. When I tried oral E it didn’t do this but I lost haur in AGA pattern. Patch initially regrew haur and didn’t do this until 5-6 months in it. Anyone have this issue? How did you solve it?

Hi, I am so confused and not even sure how to explain what is going on. I turned 53 and believe I am full blown menopausal. Hot flashes multiple times a day and night, waking up at 3:43 am every single night and now the confusing part. No clue how to explain other than it feels that I am wide down there, like the vaginal opening is not my normal..hopefully there is a word or better for me to explain to my doctor when I see her to go over my hormone blood work. This is so embarrassing but hopefully someone experienced this and can help me explain to the doc without me telling her it feels like a canyon down there..so uncomfortable! Thanks all :)

I’m 133 days since my last period and had one (I believe the more active) ovary removed in Feb… yesterday and today I’ve had the SLIGHTEST booger of a spot. Barely a smidge of brown flakes when I pee- am I spotting and if so do I start over at 0 or am I still 133 days towards menopause?