I had a week or two of very minor spotting after starting HRT. That was the only side-effect. Otherwise it has been fabulous. No more night sweats. I don't feel like have to urinate all the time. No more brain fog. I don't feel like I'm in perpetual PMS mode. Best of all is the arthritis pain in my hands, feet and left hip is gone, even on rainy days.
No bleeding, just headaches and nausea, stomach pain, but I was patient, eventually it got better, after a couple of weeks no side effects, I just feel great and I have no intention of stopping, ever.
Collagen, magnesium, and vitamin c are what I take daily. Taking Collagen has improved my mobility ten fold. It takes a month or so to feel it. Keep moving your body - walk, cycle, swim, use light handweights, nothing too strenuous on the body. If you have stress - remove it immediately. Stress is the biggest igniter for menopause. It truly is a time to know your body, cycles, and be kind and loving to you. No more people pleasing 😁😁
I agree with this but would like to add that every woman going into menopause (if they are physically able to) should be doing some form of strength training to compensate for the loss of bone density & muscle mass which we know is exacerbated by the onset of menopause and the natural ageing process. This means lifting heavy by starting off with light weights and progressing to heavier weights over time. It’s not about bulking up but maintaining body strength. In combination with this I would include exercise such walking as close to 10000 steps a day as possible (understandably many of us have all day desk jobs). Taking up a Pilates or yoga class at least once a week, to focus on maintaining flexibility. Diet of course plays an 80% role in this. It seems to take a lot of us too many years to realise this and actually do something about it! I speak for myself here too. A lot of ailments (lack of energy, bloating) can be corrected through diet. Needless to say, going into menopause changes the game plan for many of us completely, our worlds are indeed turned upside down, where very little seems to be what it was before. So we need to up our game and this is basically what this message is about. Taking control of these changes to the best of our ability, so that life doesn’t ‘just happen’, to us. Do the research, make that appointment with an HRT specialist gynaecologist if need be to discuss your HRT journey, get yourself some weight equipment at home, find an exercise buddy to help hold you accountable on your fitness journey. With All this in the mix, our mental health will thank us for it.
Side effects for myself: I started getting a good nights sleep, night sweats gone, brain fog so much better, I can remember things now (yay!). Seeing a knowledgeable gyno is so important. If you don’t have a gyno you like then kick that one to the curb and find someone you do like. A good one will help you with any problems that occur and listen to your concerns.
47 yo on HRT! Saved my life….this is no lie ladies! Peri menopause ! My breast tenderness comes and goes! 100 mg progesterone and .0375 estrogen! Thank you lord for these life saving HRT
@@DianaLynn45 There are Pharmaceutical and there are Non- Pharmaceutical.. Try to see an Endocrinologist or Hormonal Specialist.. who specialise in women’s health.. Brain Fog. coz your Thyroid. .. D3 . Blood levels Bone Density. Body weight / Insulin/ Glucose/ All MINERALS and Mental side all Should be considered.. Vitamin B deficiencies etc.. fitness levels etc. 🎊
@@DianaLynn45Oral combo/ oestrogen progesterone.. lowest Dose.. Each person will be individual.. Chat with your Integrated Endocrinologist or Gynaecologist. 🌸
I started on 0.05 Estrogen patch/100mg progesterone and although my perimenopause symptoms completely went away in the 3rd week, at the 4th week I got a full period with all my debilitating PMDD symptoms . I asked my doctor if we could lower the estrogen 0.025 and up the progesterone to 200mg and so far in my 3rd week of this new dosage and some of my hot flushes came back but I have no period so far which is life saving. Oh, and my sleep is bliss now, which helps with everything. Thank you for all this valuable information!🌺🌺🌺
Did your PMDD also go into Extra Super Elite Hard Mode as soon as perimenopause started? I am here because I feel like this is even harder than puberty was.
Thank you for this video. OBGYN has had me on estrogen for 2 years. Went to functional doc and switched to a blended cream. Got order for ultrasound- now I have hyperplasia - 15 mm thick uterine walls ( no Cancer cells).Immediately wanted to do surgery for D and C or hysterectomy. Been researching- I believe I should be able to reverse the thickening with progesterone. Really upsetting that I should have been checked earlier - AND I should have never been on estrogen without opposing progesterone..WHY would this happen! I just don’t doctors. You must research everything for yourself. Thank God for TH-cam to give me a clue and do.additional research!
That’s awful that 2 docs gave you estrogen without progesterone. It’s common knowledge that if you still have a uterus, you need progesterone because you will eventualky develop uterune cancer with unopposed estrogen. Any and every doctor should know that. That being said, your post highlights the importance of doing our own research, and being our own health advocates. Pubmed studies are very useful, since google is often biased, though I do always start with my searches with basic search engines. Good luck to you - it sounds like you caught it in time! God bless.
@@jonbonjovi6017 It’s really needed whether there is a uterus or not. I had a hysterectomy and unilateral oophorectomy and was told I would only need estrogen (which was up to me). I ended up taking the estrogen and developed a hemorrhagic cyst that caused torsion on my remaining ovary, which has to be removed in emergency surgery a few years after my hyst. After that, my dr’s told me I would only need estrogen, because I have “nothing left” that I need to take progesterone for. I took estrogen only, again, for the past 6 years and just had to have a CT for a mass that a gynecologist I just started with found during a pelvic exam. Interestingly enough, it’s most likely an ovarian remnant that developed an endometrioma. I’m just sharing to raise awareness 🤍!
Hope all goes well for you, My cousin got uterine cancer while taking bioidentical HRT she was getting the progesterone but she still got cancer, she had surgery to remove her uterus and she is still going to take HRT even though the cancer doctor said not to. But now she doesn't have to take the progesterone because she doesn't have a uterus. To each their own.
I too once saw a functional doctor who prescribed a blended cream, compounded estrogen with progesterone. However, transdermal progesterone is poorly absorbed, while the estrogen is, thus causing the imbalance and thickening of the endometrium. I was lucky enough to come across the information on my own and seek better advice. It's sad that pharmacies are actually allowed to sell this stuff, and it's also very pricey. I'm in Canada.
I've got headaches and nausea, vertigo, exhaustion, mood swings , bad sleep, joint pains before, hrt stopped that, honestly even some side effects would be better than this combo of symptoms 😊
At 64 years old, I cycle my HRT (estradiol, progesterone, testosterone) and still have a period every month like clockwork. It’s worth it, for as good as I feel. I use only bioidentical hormones from a compounding pharmacy prescribed by a holistic doctor.
@@Maggie-zr2ow Well, you’re actually trying to mimic your body when it was younger, so I go with the cycling. I tried static dosing, but I didn’t feel as good. Check out Suzanne Sommer’s book “Ageless”. She mentions other doctors in the book that also have good books. I spent about a year research this stuff before I started. It’s been 14 years for me, now.
Yay! What great timing. Started on .025 patch last November. Increased to .05 patch a month ago and I've started spot bleeding. I figured I just needed to give it time. I have had a Mirena IUD since I was 36 and haven't had a period since. I'm 57 now, so the spot bleeding is funny to experience again. Glad it's nothing to be concerned about.
I star HRT couple years ago after I change 3 doctors and when I finally thought I’m going to fell better she prescribed the estrogen patch and of course after few weeks I bleed she didn’t prescribe anything else but the patch , so after I called to see her she immediately book me for a biopsy and the cost was almost 2000 dollars out of pocket because my insurance didn’t cover it, now I had another doctor who prescribed a estrogen gel and progesterone I’m ok but I know she needs to adjust the dose for them I’m very disappointed of doctors , I’m 52 no energy and 4 different doctors 😢
I been on HRT a little more than 6 months, I had bleeding but my obgyn did not want to lower my estrogen because I have been feeling GOOD, so she gave me more progesterone, 200mg and it didn’t stop, so went to the maximum 300 progesterone and it is still not stopping so I am changing to the IUD, hopefully that works. But HRT really changed my life!!
Im on BHRT 1.5 yrs now. T - pellets E & P orally Spotted twice and my Dr adjusted meds and no more spotting. Hair loss!! Acne right after I get my pellets otherwise, Anxiety gone Joint pain gone High energy And I feel amazing.
I'm perimenopausal with horrible hot flashes and night sweats, my Doctor prescribed the Estradiol patch and progesterone capsules. This video gave me a more understanding how HRT works, great information. Thank you!
I have very sore hands and a horrid belly bump , I am a retired fitness trainer, and I still work out and play tennis , but I gained weight in the last 2 years on HRT
I had a complete hysterectomy at 30 didn't take HRT therapy ever I'm now 54 and my body is weak tired, I'm in pain daily I'm overweight and can't lose weight I'm tired and have no energy..I recently made a Dr. Appointment to discuss hrt.
I'd be curious to know what your dr said to you about it. I am much the same position, age 31 complete hysterectomy, 2 years of estrogen, then the scare, now 51, and feeling like I'm having some sort of menopause like symptoms again. I'm having hot flashes again, I haven't slept well in over 20 years now, I have thyroid issues, pain issues, so many things have built up over the years, no matter how well I took care of myself. Asked my new dr about hormones and she said no, it would cause more issues at this point. I'm not sure it could get any worse honestly. Surgical menopause just isn't discussed yet, and with all of this new information coming out that we should have never experienced this life without additional hormones all these years, I am at a loss as to what to research to find the answers that I need. And you need.
@@rema1787 at that time, it came out in the news that hormone therapy was causing breast cancer, so many women went off of their hormones, it was a huge drop in numbers. Now, it's being reported that information was not accurate. But 20 years have passed, so now it leaves many of us wondering what to do. And yes, I had started estrogen as soon as I came out of surgery, they applied a patch while I was still under.
@@rema1787 The scare would be the WHI study in 2002 with the statistically skewed "results" scaring both doctors & women off HRT. Find a good doctor/health professional who will listen to your concerns, they are online too.
@@rema1787 I think she means the scare of the study where they decided, without thorough investigation, that estrogen was the devil and all women needed to be taken off asap.
Side effects for me: weight gain, anxiety and acne. The first one I am sure was the estrogen , the other two- the progesterone. I stopped HRT and feel well again.
OMG!!! I just stumbled upon this video & I want to thank you for this 'normal-speak' explanation. So many TH-cam Dr's (gyni's) get a bit too technical and that's confusing. I'll be bookmarking this video and a few of your others & having a "discussion" with my stubborn Dr. The thought of going through the whole changing Dr's makes me twitch but it may be necessary. Thanks again
HRT like TRT for men will take some adjustment in dosage, combined with other meds and supplements to get dialed in. On TRT, side effects often diminish and disappear after a short period of time. Your body simply adapts to the hormones.
Ok. I'm experiencing massive weight gain. I've been on estrodiol for 9 weeks. I have an IUD so no progestrone. No changes to diet and I've increased my workouts - I work out quite a lot, 6 days a week rowing plus yoga. I started at 118 which I maintained for years, and have gone up to 126 in that short time. I have an appointment next week to follow up. Breast tenderness (no cycles, I assume the IUD takes care of that, which is why I love it, and have loved it since my 20's). I've researched adding testosterone and spoke with my pharmacist about that so I will be talking with my doctor about it during the appointment.
8 lbs is in the ballpark of the normal ups and downs of water weight gain/loss across a week. I get that it might seem like a lot for you - and it’s worth paying attention to, for sure, but I wouldn’t let it stress you out. Speaking of stress, you might want to get your cortisol checked. As we get older, that kind of intense exercise can actually lead to weight gain. (not in the health care field here, just another person trying to figure this all out!)
It really sounds like Your Estrogen is too high or imbalanced with progesterone so making estrogen too high .i had the same thing/symptoms due to that .
Started on hrt a few years ago. I’ve always had migraines (maybe 10 a year ) but began getting them weekly (Tuesday or Wednesday). I asked my doctor if she thought it was hrt(she didn’t) saw a neurologist and asked if he thought it was hrt( he didn’t). He just prescribed migraine medication. I saw a gynecologist and asked if she thought it was hrt( she didn’t). I decided to listen to my gut and stopped hrt in January. I’ve only had one migraine since then. Has anyone else experienced this? I really want to go back on for all the other benefits. It was the patch and progesterone that I was taking. Even went to 1/2 a patch. Any suggestions?
I may be similar…47 & migraines had tapered down but then I started 0.05 estrogen w 100mg prog. Had a horrible migraine which was likely bc I was a day late changing the patch. Had horrible migraines on birth control pills earlier in life and no one connected. When I stopped the BCP, the migraines improved (less intense and less frequent). I’m going to give this 6 months and see if it happens again but if so, I will know exogenous hormones are problematic for me.
Taking HRT daily (continuous not sequential) minimized migraines for me. However, when I tried progesterone, it gave me an instant migraine. Even when I tried it vaginally and every other day. I went back to my previous progestin.
I’ve been on Prometrium for 3 months with breast tenderness as my only problem. Not taking estrogen yet. I don’t want to give up my Prometrium because I sleep so well. Does having only one side effect mean I’m intolerant to progesterone? I would rather live with breast tenderness if it means I sleep better.
For some unknown reason, my doctors (plural) started me at the highest estrogen patch dosage available (with no blood work done). I told them I was spotting, had breast tenderness (was told to take Evening Primrose Oil by the doc), and heart palpitations. It never occurred to them that my dosage was too high. But instead, after having just started HRT (only 3 months in), they wanted to run all of these invasive tests (ultrasound and biopsies) for cancer. A 6mm lining thickness was discovered. But still no adjustment to the patch dosage. I had to suggest an increase in progesterone. It helped for about a month, then more spotting. So, I cut my patches in half and all of the breast pain disappeared along with the bloating. I'm hoping the spotting will resolve too. But I'm at the 6 month mark now of being on HRT, and I hope that this new change at the 6 month mark will reduce the lining. I don't know if that's possible? I'm hoping that the damage isn't already done...??
I have pellets and progesterone pills and experienced bleeding until I incorporated fasting and keto diet as well as high doses of vitamin d3/k2. My vitamin d levels were normal but I learned that my excess fat was absorbing the vitamin d since it is fat soluble I also increased water to 2 to 3 liters daily to prevent kidney stones from high d dosing !
Weight gain and feeling premenstrual constantly. My OBGYN offered oral combo. It improved my sleep and hot flashes are gone. I’ve been on them 3 months and question if it worth it. The weight gain is depressing.
@@everhappy6312I just stopped my Estrogen & progesterone because of extreme weight gain. I lasted a mth ON those hormones. I couldn’t even fit into my clothes. Has your weight gain subsided any?
So if you have breakthrough bleeding does that mean we SHOULD adjust the hormone level or wait to acclimate to the new level? Does this symptom go away over time? At what time (month marker) should we change the dose?
Great video! I am 54, started on HRT four months ago, had some ocasional bleeding and had an ultrasound that shows uterus lining 3mm,and my gynaecologist suggested going on higher dose of estrogen from a transdermal 50 mcg to 75 mcg to fix the bleeding,does that make sense?
The patches were the worst for bleeding. Every 3 days I was bleeding. Defeated the purpose of using it as it never stopped happening. It’s not worth waiting out the 8 months. Plus the adhesive causes allergies. I had much more success with the gel. 9 days on, no bleeding and I don’t know if it’s because of the gel, but my arthritis pain has all but subsided. I already feel a little boosted and my anxiety has reduced.
I never had bleeding in 8 yrs except last 3 days of each month afterctaking the oral progesterone 14 daysceach month. Usedctwice weekly esteadiol patch all month/ twicecweekly and 15 nites/month of oral prog 200mg
I'm 66, went thru menopause at 58. Just started HRT Combipatch about 4 months ago. No side effects as far as I can tell. How do we know if it's working? Are there blood tests we should be getting to check hormone levels?
did your insurance cover the combipatch>? My doc wouldnt give to me bc she said it isnt covered? I have great insurance but i feel she didnt want to give me.
Dr. Heather, I realized I have acquired horrible amounts of post nasal mucus since I started the estradiol. Is this a common side effect? You don't list it but now I am reading about it. Is there anything I can do? I wouldn't like to get an infection since it becomes a nest for viruses. What to do? Thanks so much and you are the best fighter for all women!
My weight did go up 10 lbs overnight when i started low dose patch. Doesn't bother me because i work out 5 days a week. But i do wonder if anyone else had this? And is that indication that maybe estrogen too high? I thought maybe weight would adjust, but it has been 7 months.
Estrogen causes fluid retention, while progesterone, since it has a diuretic effect reduces that extra fluid. This extra water weight tends to make women feel bloated and can be 5 or more pounds. Are you taking progesterone as well ? Maybe it's too low for the amount of estrogen you are taking?
I'm finding that too. I'm going to start a low dose testostrone to fight that. I've been working out 6 days a week but the weight keeps going up. I started at 118 and 9 weeks in I'm at 126 already.
@@mdaze9753 Its just the opposite for me. I'm on estrogen and I cycle in the progesterone. During the time I'm on the progesterone, I gain so much weight and I'm bloated and moody, just like it used to be before my period. Wish I could stop the progesterone and just do estrogen only, but I have to protect my uterus.
@@cathy2893 Sorry to hear that, but it is good to know someone else is experiencing this too. I didn't know that testosterone could help. Thanks! I will look into that.
59, The worst of menopause symptoms are over for me. I have a new doctor who spoke with me about HRT. I'm on the fence about whether I should start it or not. I don't want to have to take anything. I don't want side effects, bleeding, tender breasts. If I have issues, do I have to ween myself off the hormones?
Ive been on an estradial patch and progesterone pill. My symptoms started coming back, so i asked my doc about T . She did bloodwork then prescribed estratest. Im afraid to fill it,because ive bever heard about it. How do u feel about it? Thanks
I really want to give HRT a chance but had migraine headaches at the start of bio identical HRT - patch 0.025 and 100 of Progesterone … for 3 months everyday that was unbearable so had to stop HRT 😢 I have tried twice in past 3 years / have history of migraines with aura that actually almost disappeared post menopause ..so disappointed
Not sure if this will help but there is some anecdotal evidence that taking the progesterone vaginally (or rectally) reduces some of the more unpleasant side effects. Maybe look at some of the message boards and see what people are saying.
Hi Dr. Hirsch, thank you for the informative video! I have a question what do you think about HRT Pellet therapy? I have been bleeding for months and my dr. couldn't figure out reason. My serum levels of Estrogen have been very high. Current dr. recommend no Estrogen this cycle and take 300mg of Progesterone until bleeding stops.
Hello I have been on HRT for almost 7 years now . Had to stop because of intense cramping??? After 2 weeks without HRT my cramping disappeared. Tried TRT 4 months later with a very small dose and the cramping came back . Is this normal? Thank you
After being on Estradiol 0.05 patch for three months I started feeling anxious, nervousness (shaking) , palpitations, loosing weight, itchy skin. I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. My endocrinologist claims that HRT didn't cause this. I HAVE MY DOUBTS. Im on medication for the thyroid but have not returned to the Estradiol.
These sound like menopause symptoms, and maybe this might seam counterintuitive but maybe try talking to your doctor about increasing the estrogen dose for 3 months and see if you feel better
She didn’t think that you should be referred to your endocrinologist to reevaluate your dose of thyroid medication? I’m on HRT and high dose of Armour Thyroid and was told to watch for symptoms as HRT can affect the amount of Armour Thyroid I would need.
Our entire Endocrine system is affected - absolutely thyroid function affects liver function, sex hormone function, cardiovascular function, etc - and vice versa. It's ALL affected, much like falling dominoes.
Hyperthyroidism was already in the making before you started HRT. I suggest you follow Dr. Barbara Taylor ( Menopause Taylor) here on TH-cam. She is THE EXPERT in Menopause.
@@melanie.c25 only if your hrt is oral. transdermal does not affect thyroid absorption of meds. I am on NDT also and HRT. I take 3 grains in winter, usually go down half to a grain in summer. take estrogel and prometrium. allgood
So informative, thank you Dr.! Tough to listen to because the sound quality is poor, very tinny. A good mic-audio system would be great 👍 (thought you might want to know)
Ever hear of having contraindications of hrt with cortisone injections? Before hrt the injections didn’t give me bleeding, but after starting hrt, the injections caused horrible cramping and bleeding for 6 months. My doctors didn’t believe me that the two were related, but my ob gyn found research backing me up.
Love this information!! Been dealing with spotting since August when i started hrt and then changed it in January. The dose of estrogen I'm on right now (1g Divigel plus 100mg progesterone) barely helps my hot flashes (it does help many other things). I'm afraid if I decrease the estrogen my hot flashes will get worse plus then I may be in for another 6 months of spotting bc I changed things. See how confusing this is?!? I just know I'm so tired of the spotting.
I had breast tenderness for the first three weeks, but it’s not so bad now. I’m going for my first follow-up on Thursday. What questions should I ask? Should I have my hormone levels tested?
I can’t take gel caps. I get aching breasts & armpit lymphnode pain. Found out thru TH-cam drs that taking orally converts to estrone which is inflammatory. I wish I knew this prior to choosing the manner of treatment.
I developed sores on my tongue. Not sure if this side effect will go away or if I should try a different form of estradiol. I have tried oral and the gel.
Thank you for this informative video. I heard that to fully get the benefit of HRT on bones we have to take the whole 50 microgram of estrodile in the parch! Is this true or halving the patch still works positively to protect the bones?
What if you are post menopausal, already on 100mcg patch and think you are absorbing it alright, but blood oestradiol is below 250pmol /L, and isn't adequate for bone loss protection? Gels and sprays already tried, so I believe it's the dose and not the absorption that may be the issue. At higher risk for osteoporosis due to autoimmune conditions. Thank you 😊xx
@@anne-louisegoldie It would seem that you would need to make an appointment with a professional in this area. This way they can work with your individual needs. I hope you are able to find what you need soon!
Pellets are really the worst form of HRT whether you feel good or not. There is no adjusting so if you suddenly start bleeding (too much estrogen) you cannot take it out. Majority of docs that really know their stuff say they are just a big money maker & bordering on malpractice.
When I stop my progesterone (100 mg) the breast soreness goes away. Could it just be too high of a dose for the dose of estrogen I'm taking? My blood levels are still low.
Dr. Heather, I have tried gels, creams , vagifem, all made my vulva on one side burn, it won't go away. Now I am trying the patch. I makes me extremely drowsy and gave me a horrible headache that made me almost cry. I cut the patch's half and left the other half on my lower abdomen. It was just 0.025mcg. to begin with. Today I was not as drowsy but still took me 2 hrs. to be back to normal after waking up. My one side of the vulva burns and burns since 2 hrs. after I applied the patch. Don't know what to do. Please give me your opinion. Thank you so much for this education!
@missz3672 no. 3 doctors say it is the menopause. Now I am on biodentical hormones. Estradiol is BIEST. And progesterone also both in cream. To apply on thighs, wrists ,etc etc. Now after a month on it, I have tons of post nadal drip and mucus in my throat ,hoarse voice cough since I keep clearing my throat. All this due to hormones. Its a side effect! I read about it. Its a no win situation . I tested 3 days no hormones and no more mucus and burn came back worse. I am so unhappy too. Do you have burning also in or around the vulva?
@@charocflores oh my gosh that’s awful it’s horrible how we are given stuff that’s supposed to help us but causes something else I’m so sorry …yes my burning is in the vulva it’s burning right now as a matter of fact I’ve tried all kinds of lubricants, moisturizers and tried some vaginal estrogen and wow that stuff burned me like crazy I have a Dr. appointment tomorrow don’t even know how I’ll get there with all this pain but now I’m down to using Vaseline and surgilube I can’t stand it I’ve done ice and heat and just cold water over it nothing helps
So I just started the estrogen patch and my dr started me on the 0.05 and it’s making me feel very tired, I just started about a week or so ago. Will this subside. Also is it ok to cut it in half to see if maybe it’s too high?
Interesting! Wow, so many kinds of hormones, dosing and forms on how to take them. It seems like could be very complicated 🫣😩 only menopausal women can start HRT? Or women in perimenopause can start taking hormones?
Heather, you did not mention taking oral progesterone vaginally. Is this a viable option for women who are having trouble taking progesterone orally and transdermally? I am having difficulty with the mental side effects of progesterone. Thank you.
I don't know about others, but I have an IUD which I am very happy with, it provides the progestrone and I never have to mess with it. Also no cycles, which is the best part!
I figured out very quickly that I was intolerant to the micronized progesterone. I had to switch to the “ less natural “ one but that was fine with me . I would have been completely non-functional if I had stayed on the micronized.
I am on estrogen and Progesterone. I take them at night and now I sleep so hard and deep that even sleeping 12 hours does not feel like enough. I wake up groggy and feeling like someone drugged me. To me this is worse than the insomnia.
What age group are you talking about?!If you’re on hormones for life does that mean the uterus sheds even when you’re 80? Or does it settle down after 6months no matter what age you start? Do older women need more or less?
I don't understand it. I started HRT before I go into full menopause... I am cycling the HRT (i.e. progesterone for 12 days of month), then I get a "period"... why do you call that a bleeding ? is that a bleeding or is that a period? I just don't understand it. How would I know when I am in full menopause now that I had started HRT?
How do U know which route is best for a patient without just guessing? What do u do for us to know what is right for our body?? What test do U do for us to know what might B the best hormone replacement therapy for OUR body??
@@joannsmith3589 well, that really worries me. I don’t have a lot of faith and most of the medical people that take my insurance. There might be a few people that don’t take my insurance that actually care, but I can’t afford them. So I’m stuck with whatever my insurance will except my hands are tied. I do my lotta my research. I do a lot of my own homework because I don’t trust any of them and I don’t take the doctors words because he says to do this I do that I do my research and ask a lot of questions and get a whole bunch of different answers and then I tried different things myself natural things and hopefully they will help since I research that they are supposed to do the same thing without putting more crap in your Body. Unfortunately, it’s pretty much just work. I just hope that whatever information I’ve gotten is correct after checking out against other people coming up with the most repeated idea and then I give it a try since it’s natural. I prefer to do that before I start taking a lot of medication’s that have terrible side effects.
@@joannsmith3589 I am pretty worried about taking the bio denticle hormones because I’ve done a lot of research on it and there’s so many things that can go wrong no matter which route you go when you take a pill or a patch or a cream. It’s all unpredictable because it absorbs quicker in the beginning and then the wings offer, the patch falls off or the cream gets wiped off. It’s just a hit and miss guessing game. So I’m gonna have to kind of guess and go with patches and creams and hope that I get something to help my body function better. But it’s still not much exact science. And then again, it depends on the person to go see what they think. Their skills are knowledges and choices they make, and it can vary from doctor to doctor vastly within the same field. Meaning, seeing five different gynecologist will have come up with five different answers most likely of what’s right for you. So it makes you not know what to do. Like when I went to see somebody whether I had ankylosing spondylitis, and I got five different answers. Well, I got two of the same from a couple but mostly I got no you don’t yes you do. I don’t know you could possibly, but then again, maybe you don’t. So they don’t have the answers either. So I went away from seeing all these different doctors about angles in spondylitis not knowing whether I actually have it or not I personally think I do but I don’t have any confirmation from any doctors because they all disagree with each other. Well, a couple said yes you do in a couple said no you don’t and they said absolutely you don’t absolutely you do and then there were other saying they weren’t sure they didn’t know. And I’m supposed to put my life in those peoples hands ? I don’t think so.
@@joannsmith3589 Well they isn't very helpful. I was hoping for the best of the not so great. meaning what is out there I can do which will have SOME help for me so I can feel better & sleep better, etc.?? Surely as bad as U see things or maybe they R so horrible, there is something doable, which for me is better than doing NOTHING! Any advice or thoughts with this posting that would B constructive given the medical profession as it IS & as it is so UN scientific??? Huh??
For incontinence you can use Estradiol vaginal cream as it is not systemic...it only stays in the vagina apparently. I follow Menopause Taylor here on TH-cam. She is a Gynecologist, Lawyer with a MBA...she really knows her specialty.
Most physicians would be adamantly against HRT when you’ve had BC. But the ones in the know (really educated) say quite the opposite. There is a doctor extremely well versed in BC/HRT that has some incredible info I first heard her interview on FLCCC Alliance.
Help. I just started the patch. I'm on my 3rd week and miserable. I'm having terrible headaches and vomiting. I'm 51. When I was pregnant with my last baby, a girl, I had terrible headaches and after her birth I could no longer take my birth control. I would throw them up. I want this to work. Any suggestions to help with these side effects?
Iam on an estrogen cream to help with dryness. I was not put on any progesterone. Is it ok to not have a progesterone rx ? I was told since estrogen is in cream form, I don’t need progesterone. Please help.
I am not absorbing any of the medications (progesterone & testosterone). I get labs done every 3 months. It's so frustrating. I have been on hormones for almost 2 years. I tried the test. creams at different doses. Did not work. I am on a shot now & I don't think it's working bc my libido has not changed at all. I go back next week to my Dr but wondering if anyone here has had an issue with absorbing meds and were you able to eventually?
I’m 67 and my doctor just tried me on a the lowest dose of the estradiol patch 2x a week and 100mg of Prometrium. I sleep well but I’m so tired the next day. HRT has put even more weight on me. Since menopause in 2013 I have gained 28 pounds! I can gain 5 pounds in a week and I am so bloated. Since I started the patch I have cramps like I’m starting my period. No bleeding or breast tenderness. I use to do the compounded creams but I still had hot flashes and night sweats. She upped by dose and then it was too much estrogen and the progesterone cream didn’t help with sleep at all. I’m thinking of going off everything!
Can you pls tell us more about cycling HRT. My doctor is willing to try this with me but we don’t have a protocol. I use bio identical progesterone, estrogen and testosterone
What side effect did you have after starting HRT and what helped you fix it?! Comment below!
I started last week and I’m cramping so bad. I always had horrible cramps when I had my period and can’t go through this again. Will this stop?
Thank you! I’ve been on HRT for 6 months & this was very helpful.
I had a week or two of very minor spotting after starting HRT. That was the only side-effect. Otherwise it has been fabulous. No more night sweats. I don't feel like have to urinate all the time. No more brain fog. I don't feel like I'm in perpetual PMS mode. Best of all is the arthritis pain in my hands, feet and left hip is gone, even on rainy days.
Lack of libido
@heatherhirschMD If you experience crying every day - would a higher dose of estradiol help? 🙏
Thx Dr. Herschel~I’m 50 years young, just started HRT and I’ve traded watching home décor videos to menopause vids because they are so informative! 😂
Same here, binging menopause videos😊
@@niebieskimotyl3308 same!
No bleeding, just headaches and nausea, stomach pain, but I was patient, eventually it got better, after a couple of weeks no side effects, I just feel great and I have no intention of stopping, ever.
This was the comment I needed. Thank you.
Collagen, magnesium, and vitamin c are what I take daily. Taking Collagen has improved my mobility ten fold. It takes a month or so to feel it. Keep moving your body - walk, cycle, swim, use light handweights, nothing too strenuous on the body. If you have stress - remove it immediately. Stress is the biggest igniter for menopause. It truly is a time to know your body, cycles, and be kind and loving to you. No more people pleasing 😁😁
I went into menopause at 48 after my mother died. I can attest to stress being an igniter ✋
I swear that’s what happened to me !! Lost my dad July of 22 and things went crazy with my body right after !
I've taken these since my 30's and I wouldn't say I've ever "felt" collagen. If you want something for mobility, it's glucosamine chondroitin.
I agree with this but would like to add that every woman going into menopause (if they are physically able to) should be doing some form of strength training to compensate for the loss of bone density & muscle mass which we know is exacerbated by the onset of menopause and the natural ageing process. This means lifting heavy by starting off with light weights and progressing to heavier weights over time. It’s not about bulking up but maintaining body strength.
In combination with this I would include exercise such walking as close to 10000 steps a day as possible (understandably many of us have all day desk jobs). Taking up a Pilates or yoga class at least once a week, to focus on maintaining flexibility.
Diet of course plays an 80% role in this. It seems to take a lot of us too many years to realise this and actually do something about it! I speak for myself here too. A lot of ailments (lack of energy, bloating) can be corrected through diet. Needless to say, going into menopause changes the game plan for many of us completely, our worlds are indeed turned upside down, where very little seems to be what it was before. So we need to up our game and this is basically what this message is about. Taking control of these changes to the best of our ability, so that life doesn’t ‘just happen’, to us. Do the research, make that appointment with an HRT specialist gynaecologist if need be to discuss your HRT journey, get yourself some weight equipment at home, find an exercise buddy to help hold you accountable on your fitness journey. With All this in the mix, our mental health will thank us for it.
What type of collagen do you take? My joints could use help.
Side effects for myself: I started getting a good nights sleep, night sweats gone, brain fog so much better, I can remember things now (yay!). Seeing a knowledgeable gyno is so important. If you don’t have a gyno you like then kick that one to the curb and find someone you do like. A good one will help you with any problems that occur and listen to your concerns.
a great source is Women's Health Network. Also, fixaflash.
Can you tell us what you are taking/doses?!
What brand and dosage are you on please.i have all those things you speaking of
47 yo on HRT! Saved my life….this is no lie ladies! Peri menopause ! My breast tenderness comes and goes! 100 mg progesterone and .0375 estrogen! Thank you lord for these life saving HRT
Hrt is incredible.. it’s changed my life! 🎉💐
What exactly are you taking? I'm wanting to start but I'm kind of afraid to.
@@DianaLynn45 There are Pharmaceutical and there are Non- Pharmaceutical.. Try to see an Endocrinologist or Hormonal Specialist.. who specialise in women’s health.. Brain Fog.
coz your Thyroid. .. D3 . Blood levels Bone Density. Body weight / Insulin/ Glucose/ All MINERALS and Mental side all Should be considered.. Vitamin B deficiencies etc..
fitness levels etc. 🎊
@@DianaLynn45 me too
@@DianaLynn45Oral combo/ oestrogen progesterone.. lowest Dose..
Each person will be individual.. Chat with your Integrated Endocrinologist or Gynaecologist. 🌸
I started on 0.05 Estrogen patch/100mg progesterone and although my perimenopause symptoms completely went away in the 3rd week, at the 4th week I got a full period with all my debilitating PMDD symptoms . I asked my doctor if we could lower the estrogen 0.025 and up the progesterone to 200mg and so far in my 3rd week of this new dosage and some of my hot flushes came back but I have no period so far which is life saving. Oh, and my sleep is bliss now, which helps with everything. Thank you for all this valuable information!🌺🌺🌺
Did your PMDD also go into Extra Super Elite Hard Mode as soon as perimenopause started? I am here because I feel like this is even harder than puberty was.
@@NiaLaLa_V Yes, that can happen. As my periods came further and further apart, they were heavier too.
@@NiaLaLa_V Oh, it's infinitely worse than puberty was. That was a cakewalk, compared to this.
Do you take continuously? Or stop for your period
Thank you for this video. OBGYN has had me on estrogen for 2 years. Went to functional doc and switched to a blended cream. Got order for ultrasound- now I have hyperplasia - 15 mm thick uterine walls ( no Cancer cells).Immediately wanted to do surgery for D and C or hysterectomy. Been researching- I believe I should be able to reverse the thickening with progesterone. Really upsetting that I should have been checked earlier - AND I should have never been on estrogen without opposing progesterone..WHY would this happen! I just don’t doctors. You must research everything for yourself. Thank God for TH-cam to give me a clue and do.additional research!
That’s awful that 2 docs gave you estrogen without progesterone. It’s common knowledge that if you still have a uterus, you need progesterone because you will eventualky develop uterune cancer with unopposed estrogen. Any and every doctor should know that. That being said, your post highlights the importance of doing our own research, and being our own health advocates. Pubmed studies are very useful, since google is often biased, though I do always start with my searches with basic search engines. Good luck to you - it sounds like you caught it in time! God bless.
@@jonbonjovi6017 It’s really needed whether there is a uterus or not. I had a hysterectomy and unilateral oophorectomy and was told I would only need estrogen (which was up to me). I ended up taking the estrogen and developed a hemorrhagic cyst that caused torsion on my remaining ovary, which has to be removed in emergency surgery a few years after my hyst. After that, my dr’s told me I would only need estrogen, because I have “nothing left” that I need to take progesterone for. I took estrogen only, again, for the past 6 years and just had to have a CT for a mass that a gynecologist I just started with found during a pelvic exam. Interestingly enough, it’s most likely an ovarian remnant that developed an endometrioma. I’m just sharing to raise awareness 🤍!
Hope all goes well for you, My cousin got uterine cancer while taking bioidentical HRT she was getting the progesterone but she still got cancer, she had surgery to remove her uterus and she is still going to take HRT even though the cancer doctor said not to. But now she doesn't have to take the progesterone because she doesn't have a uterus. To each their own.
Yep. We need to educate ourselves and advocate for ourselves. We know our bodies. We know when something is not right with us.
I too once saw a functional doctor who prescribed a blended cream, compounded estrogen with progesterone. However, transdermal progesterone is poorly absorbed, while the estrogen is, thus causing the imbalance and thickening of the endometrium. I was lucky enough to come across the information on my own and seek better advice. It's sad that pharmacies are actually allowed to sell this stuff, and it's also very pricey. I'm in Canada.
I've got headaches and nausea, vertigo, exhaustion, mood swings , bad sleep, joint pains before, hrt stopped that, honestly even some side effects would be better than this combo of symptoms 😊
At 64 years old, I cycle my HRT (estradiol, progesterone, testosterone) and still have a period every month like clockwork. It’s worth it, for as good as I feel. I use only bioidentical hormones from a compounding pharmacy prescribed by a holistic doctor.
Can you explain what you mean by this please?
Period at 64?? Really???
@@health_Natural2 yes! I’m assuming I will have it as long as I cycle the hormones.
@@Maggie-zr2ow Well, you’re actually trying to mimic your body when it was younger, so I go with the cycling. I tried static dosing, but I didn’t feel as good. Check out Suzanne Sommer’s book “Ageless”. She mentions other doctors in the book that also have good books. I spent about a year research this stuff before I started. It’s been 14 years for me, now.
It is unnatural to have ur period at such an age. Tricking the body is not a good idea.
Yay! What great timing. Started on .025 patch last November. Increased to .05 patch a month ago and I've started spot bleeding. I figured I just needed to give it time. I have had a Mirena IUD since I was 36 and haven't had a period since. I'm 57 now, so the spot bleeding is funny to experience again. Glad it's nothing to be concerned about.
Estrogen causes cancer.
The exact thing happened to me!
I star HRT couple years ago after I change 3 doctors and when I finally thought I’m going to fell better she prescribed the estrogen patch and of course after few weeks I bleed she didn’t prescribe anything else but the patch , so after I called to see her she immediately book me for a biopsy and the cost was almost 2000 dollars out of pocket because my insurance didn’t cover it, now I had another doctor who prescribed a estrogen gel and progesterone I’m ok but I know she needs to adjust the dose for them I’m very disappointed of doctors , I’m 52 no energy and 4 different doctors 😢
I feel same way
Dr Felice Gersh is an amazing gynocologist in CA.
I been on HRT a little more than 6 months, I had bleeding but my obgyn did not want to lower my estrogen because I have been feeling GOOD, so she gave me more progesterone, 200mg and it didn’t stop, so went to the maximum 300 progesterone and it is still not stopping so I am changing to the IUD, hopefully that works. But HRT really changed my life!!
Im on BHRT 1.5 yrs now.
T - pellets
E & P orally
Spotted twice and my Dr adjusted meds and no more spotting.
Hair loss!!
Acne right after I get my pellets otherwise,
Anxiety gone
Joint pain gone
High energy
And I feel amazing.
I'm perimenopausal with horrible hot flashes and night sweats, my Doctor prescribed the Estradiol patch and progesterone capsules. This video gave me a more understanding how HRT works, great information. Thank you!
I have very sore hands and a horrid belly bump , I am a retired fitness trainer, and I still work out and play tennis , but I gained weight in the last 2 years on HRT
😮
Yep me too!
I had a complete hysterectomy at 30 didn't take HRT therapy ever I'm now 54 and my body is weak tired, I'm in pain daily I'm overweight and can't lose weight I'm tired and have no energy..I recently made a Dr. Appointment to discuss hrt.
I'd be curious to know what your dr said to you about it. I am much the same position, age 31 complete hysterectomy, 2 years of estrogen, then the scare, now 51, and feeling like I'm having some sort of menopause like symptoms again. I'm having hot flashes again, I haven't slept well in over 20 years now, I have thyroid issues, pain issues, so many things have built up over the years, no matter how well I took care of myself. Asked my new dr about hormones and she said no, it would cause more issues at this point. I'm not sure it could get any worse honestly. Surgical menopause just isn't discussed yet, and with all of this new information coming out that we should have never experienced this life without additional hormones all these years, I am at a loss as to what to research to find the answers that I need. And you need.
I also had a complete hysterectomy at 30 and I do not know what to do! Did you start estrogen right after surgery? What do you mean by scare?
@@rema1787 at that time, it came out in the news that hormone therapy was causing breast cancer, so many women went off of their hormones, it was a huge drop in numbers. Now, it's being reported that information was not accurate. But 20 years have passed, so now it leaves many of us wondering what to do. And yes, I had started estrogen as soon as I came out of surgery, they applied a patch while I was still under.
@@rema1787 The scare would be the WHI study in 2002 with the statistically skewed "results" scaring both doctors & women off HRT. Find a good doctor/health professional who will listen to your concerns, they are online too.
@@rema1787 I think she means the scare of the study where they decided, without thorough investigation, that estrogen was the devil and all women needed to be taken off asap.
Side effects for me: weight gain, anxiety and acne. The first one I am sure was the estrogen , the other two- the progesterone. I stopped HRT and feel well again.
I can relate. I put on 28 pounds! I am so bloated too.
OMG!!!
I just stumbled upon this video & I want to thank you for this 'normal-speak' explanation.
So many TH-cam Dr's (gyni's) get a bit too technical and that's confusing.
I'll be bookmarking this video and a few of your others & having a "discussion" with my stubborn Dr. The thought of going through the whole changing Dr's makes me twitch but it may be necessary.
Thanks again
HRT like TRT for men will take some adjustment in dosage, combined with other meds and supplements to
get dialed in. On TRT, side effects often diminish and disappear after a short period of time. Your
body simply adapts to the hormones.
Ok. I'm experiencing massive weight gain. I've been on estrodiol for 9 weeks. I have an IUD so no progestrone. No changes to diet and I've increased my workouts - I work out quite a lot, 6 days a week rowing plus yoga. I started at 118 which I maintained for years, and have gone up to 126 in that short time. I have an appointment next week to follow up. Breast tenderness (no cycles, I assume the IUD takes care of that, which is why I love it, and have loved it since my 20's). I've researched adding testosterone and spoke with my pharmacist about that so I will be talking with my doctor about it during the appointment.
8 lbs is in the ballpark of the normal ups and downs of water weight gain/loss across a week. I get that it might seem like a lot for you - and it’s worth paying attention to, for sure, but I wouldn’t let it stress you out. Speaking of stress, you might want to get your cortisol checked. As we get older, that kind of intense exercise can actually lead to weight gain. (not in the health care field here, just another person trying to figure this all out!)
I can relate to this. Testosterone helped me, it was the missing link. Now we’re just working out the dosage and method.
It really sounds like Your Estrogen is too high or imbalanced with progesterone so making estrogen too high .i had the same thing/symptoms due to that .
8uu,,,,,,Ź
@@Alykat736 Saw a specialist, estrogen too low, exploring adding testosterone
Thank you. Very clear and great info
Started on hrt a few years ago. I’ve always had migraines (maybe 10 a year ) but began getting them weekly (Tuesday or Wednesday). I asked my doctor if she thought it was hrt(she didn’t) saw a neurologist and asked if he thought it was hrt( he didn’t). He just prescribed migraine medication. I saw a gynecologist and asked if she thought it was hrt( she didn’t). I decided to listen to my gut and stopped hrt in January. I’ve only had one migraine since then. Has anyone else experienced this?
I really want to go back on for all the other benefits.
It was the patch and progesterone that I was taking. Even went to 1/2 a patch. Any suggestions?
I may be similar…47 & migraines had tapered down but then I started 0.05 estrogen w 100mg prog. Had a horrible migraine which was likely bc I was a day late changing the patch. Had horrible migraines on birth control pills earlier in life and no one connected. When I stopped the BCP, the migraines improved (less intense and less frequent). I’m going to give this 6 months and see if it happens again but if so, I will know exogenous hormones are problematic for me.
Taking HRT daily (continuous not sequential) minimized migraines for me. However, when I tried progesterone, it gave me an instant migraine. Even when I tried it vaginally and every other day. I went back to my previous progestin.
my sister had migraines on birth control pills... and no doctor made the link. doctors are useless
Lots of headaches and gut issues too! I’m weaning off hrt
Very informative! Thank you so much! 🩷
I’ve been on Prometrium for 3 months with breast tenderness as my only problem. Not taking estrogen yet. I don’t want to give up my Prometrium because I sleep so well. Does having only one side effect mean I’m intolerant to progesterone? I would rather live with breast tenderness if it means I sleep better.
For some unknown reason, my doctors (plural) started me at the highest estrogen patch dosage available (with no blood work done). I told them I was spotting, had breast tenderness (was told to take Evening Primrose Oil by the doc), and heart palpitations. It never occurred to them that my dosage was too high. But instead, after having just started HRT (only 3 months in), they wanted to run all of these invasive tests (ultrasound and biopsies) for cancer. A 6mm lining thickness was discovered. But still no adjustment to the patch dosage. I had to suggest an increase in progesterone. It helped for about a month, then more spotting. So, I cut my patches in half and all of the breast pain disappeared along with the bloating. I'm hoping the spotting will resolve too. But I'm at the 6 month mark now of being on HRT, and I hope that this new change at the 6 month mark will reduce the lining. I don't know if that's possible? I'm hoping that the damage isn't already done...??
I have pellets and progesterone pills and experienced bleeding until I incorporated fasting and keto diet as well as high doses of vitamin d3/k2. My vitamin d levels were normal but I learned that my excess fat was absorbing the vitamin d since it is fat soluble I also increased water to 2 to 3 liters daily to prevent kidney stones from high d dosing !
Such a great video! Thank you 🙏
Weight gain and feeling premenstrual constantly. My OBGYN offered oral combo. It improved my sleep and hot flashes are gone. I’ve been on them 3 months and question if it worth it. The weight gain is depressing.
Maybe try adding testosterone?
Me too. The weight gain is making me so upset.
Get off the oral estrogen, do patch.
@@everhappy6312I just stopped my Estrogen & progesterone because of extreme weight gain. I lasted a mth ON those hormones. I couldn’t even fit into my clothes. Has your weight gain subsided any?
I am no sure I understand. HRT side effect for your were weight gain and feeling premenstrual?
Thank you ,I’m excited to start hrt.
Thanks so much for all this information so reassuring Denise liverpool England
So if you have breakthrough bleeding does that mean we SHOULD adjust the hormone level or wait to acclimate to the new level? Does this symptom go away over time? At what time (month marker) should we change the dose?
Same question. I heard it’s ok to bleed but also heard it’s dangerous if the lining is building up. Confusing!
Great information. Do these side effects get better over time? I just started and side effects are not great
Started at 48,lost weight, stopped night sweats and wasn't so grumpy
Great video! I am 54, started on HRT four months ago, had some ocasional bleeding and had an ultrasound that shows uterus lining 3mm,and my gynaecologist suggested going on higher dose of estrogen from a transdermal 50 mcg to 75 mcg to fix the bleeding,does that make sense?
Thank you só much. This is spot on and was very helpful.
The patches were the worst for bleeding. Every 3 days I was bleeding. Defeated the purpose of using it as it never stopped happening. It’s not worth waiting out the 8 months. Plus the adhesive causes allergies. I had much more success with the gel. 9 days on, no bleeding and I don’t know if it’s because of the gel, but my arthritis pain has all but subsided. I already feel a little boosted and my anxiety has reduced.
I never had bleeding in 8 yrs except last 3 days of each month afterctaking the oral progesterone 14 daysceach month. Usedctwice weekly esteadiol patch all month/ twicecweekly and 15 nites/month of oral prog 200mg
Very valuable content 👍👍 the only thing that is bothering is the sound and echo. Anything that could be improved?
Yeh I found the sound annoying
I'm 66, went thru menopause at 58. Just started HRT Combipatch about 4 months ago. No side effects as far as I can tell. How do we know if it's working? Are there blood tests we should be getting to check hormone levels?
I just started the Combipatch last week and I’m having horrible cramps 😭
I was told if yu see 70-80% improvement in symptoms, then yu are on the correct dose ! If not, meet with doctor again
Usually the doctor schedules a follow up to do a full panel blood test
How are your symptoms? My symptoms were pretty much gone after just a few days.
did your insurance cover the combipatch>? My doc wouldnt give to me bc she said it isnt covered? I have great insurance but i feel she didnt want to give me.
Dr. Heather, I realized I have acquired horrible amounts of post nasal mucus since I started the estradiol. Is this a common side effect? You don't list it but now I am reading about it. Is there anything I can do? I wouldn't like to get an infection since it becomes a nest for viruses. What to do? Thanks so much and you are the best fighter for all women!
Thank you so much ❤ many greetings all the way from Germany
My weight did go up 10 lbs overnight when i started low dose patch. Doesn't bother me because i work out 5 days a week. But i do wonder if anyone else had this? And is that indication that maybe estrogen too high? I thought maybe weight would adjust, but it has been 7 months.
Estrogen causes fluid retention, while progesterone, since it has a diuretic effect reduces that extra fluid. This extra water weight tends to make women feel bloated and can be 5 or more pounds. Are you taking progesterone as well ? Maybe it's too low for the amount of estrogen you are taking?
@@mdaze9753 I do not have uterus, so no progesterone. I am on 0.25 patch. My weight went up in a few days of starting.
I'm finding that too. I'm going to start a low dose testostrone to fight that. I've been working out 6 days a week but the weight keeps going up. I started at 118 and 9 weeks in I'm at 126 already.
@@mdaze9753 Its just the opposite for me. I'm on estrogen and I cycle in the progesterone. During the time I'm on the progesterone, I gain so much weight and I'm bloated and moody, just like it used to be before my period. Wish I could stop the progesterone and just do estrogen only, but I have to protect my uterus.
@@cathy2893 Sorry to hear that, but it is good to know someone else is experiencing this too. I didn't know that testosterone could help. Thanks! I will look into that.
I’m on bioidentical
Please share your thoughts
Thank You😊
Bio, or bio identical, is what you need.
Thank you so much for sharing 🙏🏼
59, The worst of menopause symptoms are over for me. I have a new doctor who spoke with me about HRT. I'm on the fence about whether I should start it or not. I don't want to have to take anything. I don't want side effects, bleeding, tender breasts. If I have issues, do I have to ween myself off the hormones?
Ive been on an estradial patch and progesterone pill. My symptoms started coming back, so i asked my doc about T . She did bloodwork then prescribed estratest. Im afraid to fill it,because ive bever heard about it. How do u feel about it? Thanks
I’m 63, post meno, childless, and would like to know if I’d benefit from taking hormones to prevent any diseases as I never took any so far…
I really want to give HRT a chance but had migraine headaches at the start of bio identical HRT - patch 0.025 and 100 of Progesterone … for 3 months everyday that was unbearable so had to stop HRT 😢
I have tried twice in past 3 years / have history of migraines with aura that actually almost disappeared post menopause ..so disappointed
Not sure if this will help but there is some anecdotal evidence that taking the progesterone vaginally (or rectally) reduces some of the more unpleasant side effects. Maybe look at some of the message boards and see what people are saying.
Look into your diet!
Same story here 😢
Hi Dr. Hirsch, thank you for the informative video! I have a question what do you think about HRT Pellet therapy? I have been bleeding for months and my dr. couldn't figure out reason. My serum levels of Estrogen have been very high. Current dr. recommend no Estrogen this cycle and take 300mg of Progesterone until bleeding stops.
Hello
I have been on HRT for almost 7 years now . Had to stop because of intense cramping??? After 2 weeks without HRT my cramping disappeared.
Tried TRT 4 months later with a very small dose and the cramping came back . Is this normal?
Thank you
After being on Estradiol 0.05 patch for three months I started feeling anxious, nervousness (shaking) , palpitations, loosing weight, itchy skin. I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. My endocrinologist claims that HRT didn't cause this. I HAVE MY DOUBTS. Im on medication for the thyroid but have not returned to the Estradiol.
These sound like menopause symptoms, and maybe this might seam counterintuitive but maybe try talking to your doctor about increasing the estrogen dose for 3 months and see if you feel better
She didn’t think that you should be referred to your endocrinologist to reevaluate your dose of thyroid medication? I’m on HRT and high dose of Armour Thyroid and was told to watch for symptoms as HRT can affect the amount of Armour Thyroid I would need.
Our entire Endocrine system is affected - absolutely thyroid function affects liver function, sex hormone function, cardiovascular function, etc - and vice versa. It's ALL affected, much like falling dominoes.
Hyperthyroidism was already in the making before you started HRT.
I suggest you follow Dr. Barbara Taylor ( Menopause Taylor) here on TH-cam. She is THE EXPERT in Menopause.
@@melanie.c25 only if your hrt is oral. transdermal does not affect thyroid absorption of meds. I am on NDT also and HRT. I take 3 grains in winter, usually go down half to a grain in summer. take estrogel and prometrium. allgood
So informative, thank you Dr.!
Tough to listen to because the sound quality is poor, very tinny. A good mic-audio system would be great 👍 (thought you might want to know)
Yes neausa vertigo and sore joints l am on evorol Conti patches ❤
Acne around mouth when I started estradiol gel 0.1mg, I already used progesterone 300mg and testosterone cream. Help!
Ever hear of having contraindications of hrt with cortisone injections? Before hrt the injections didn’t give me bleeding, but after starting hrt, the injections caused horrible cramping and bleeding for 6 months. My doctors didn’t believe me that the two were related, but my ob gyn found research backing me up.
What abut HRT for women who have a history of PCOS? What tends to work better?
Love this information!! Been dealing with spotting since August when i started hrt and then changed it in January. The dose of estrogen I'm on right now (1g Divigel plus 100mg progesterone) barely helps my hot flashes (it does help many other things). I'm afraid if I decrease the estrogen my hot flashes will get worse plus then I may be in for another 6 months of spotting bc I changed things. See how confusing this is?!? I just know I'm so tired of the spotting.
Up the progesterone to 200mg
What about chest pain and burning. Rapid heart rate ... I can't find anything on it.
Believe It or Not GERD can cause rapid heart
I am 35 just started HRT - feel very lost. I was so ill before though!
What if you are still on the contrecptive pill?
can you mix the 2? any reason why you're starting so young?
@joannsmith3589 nope, just bad luck
I had breast tenderness for the first three weeks, but it’s not so bad now. I’m going for my first follow-up on Thursday. What questions should I ask? Should I have my hormone levels tested?
Wow. My first followup was scheduled almost 3 months out. They are definitely doing a full panel.
I can’t take gel caps. I get aching breasts & armpit lymphnode pain. Found out thru TH-cam drs that taking orally converts to estrone which is inflammatory. I wish I knew this prior to choosing the manner of treatment.
I developed sores on my tongue. Not sure if this side effect will go away or if I should try a different form of estradiol. I have tried oral and the gel.
I am wondering if continuous progesterone in perimenopause can cause frequent spotting.
Yes and I’d like to know if taking it continuously causes a tolerance after a while and reduces the sleep benefits??
I took it for 8 yrs and preferred the double dose 15 nites causing 3 day bleed at end of each month
Thank you for this informative video. I heard that to fully get the benefit of HRT on bones we have to take the whole 50 microgram of estrodile in the parch! Is this true or halving the patch still works positively to protect the bones?
What if you are post menopausal, already on 100mcg patch and think you are absorbing it alright, but blood oestradiol is below 250pmol /L, and isn't adequate for bone loss protection? Gels and sprays already tried, so I believe it's the dose and not the absorption that may be the issue. At higher risk for osteoporosis due to autoimmune conditions. Thank you 😊xx
If I may, in the video Dr speaks about changing the route, from transdermal to oral.
Transdermal absorption is definitely a problem for many. Oral or inserted pellets might be your next trial.
@@newcleethank you 😊Unfortunately, oral oestrogen isn't an option for me.
@@anne-louisegoldie It would seem that you would need to make an appointment with a professional in this area. This way they can work with your individual needs. I hope you are able to find what you need soon!
Is oral estrogen best taken in the morning or at night? I want to take half the dose now
I'm using pallet to treat my menopause. How can I ask my MS to switch me to FDA approve HTR.
Pellets are really the worst form of HRT whether you feel good or not. There is no adjusting so if you suddenly start bleeding (too much estrogen) you cannot take it out. Majority of docs that really know their stuff say they are just a big money maker & bordering on malpractice.
When I stop my progesterone (100 mg) the breast soreness goes away. Could it just be too high of a dose for the dose of estrogen I'm taking? My blood levels are still low.
Dr. Heather, I have tried gels, creams , vagifem, all made my vulva on one side burn, it won't go away. Now I am trying the patch. I makes me extremely drowsy and gave me a horrible headache that made me almost cry. I cut the patch's half and left the other half on my lower abdomen. It was just 0.025mcg. to begin with. Today I was not as drowsy but still took me 2 hrs. to be back to normal after waking up. My one side of the vulva burns and burns since 2 hrs. after I applied the patch. Don't know what to do. Please give me your opinion. Thank you so much for this education!
Hi did you ever figure out what was causing the burning Im going through this too can’t find info
@missz3672 no. 3 doctors say it is the menopause. Now I am on biodentical hormones. Estradiol is BIEST. And progesterone also both in cream. To apply on thighs, wrists ,etc etc. Now after a month on it, I have tons of post nadal drip and mucus in my throat ,hoarse voice cough since I keep clearing my throat. All this due to hormones. Its a side effect! I read about it. Its a no win situation . I tested 3 days no hormones and no more mucus and burn came back worse. I am so unhappy too. Do you have burning also in or around the vulva?
@@charocflores oh my gosh that’s awful it’s horrible how we are given stuff that’s supposed to help us but causes something else I’m so sorry …yes my burning is in the vulva it’s burning right now as a matter of fact I’ve tried all kinds of lubricants, moisturizers and tried some vaginal estrogen and wow that stuff burned me like crazy I have a Dr. appointment tomorrow don’t even know how I’ll get there with all this pain but now I’m down to using Vaseline and surgilube I can’t stand it I’ve done ice and heat and just cold water over it nothing helps
So I just started the estrogen patch and my dr started me on the 0.05 and it’s making me feel very tired, I just started about a week or so ago. Will this subside. Also is it ok to cut it in half to see if maybe it’s too high?
I'm 4 months into using the Combi patch and I seem to be losing hair. Would a different dose/formula be in order?
100 mg progesterone pill patch. So droggy couldn't drive, but never so calm before like that part. Plus waves of nausea. I stopped very sedating.
Take progesterone at night bbe it has a calming effect to it .
@@deeburrell4897 no it causes sedation all day
Take it at night only.
@@astralarchaeology5840 I did take it only at night.
Is the bleeding similar to a normal cycle or is it a continuous bleeding until the body adjusts?
Interesting! Wow, so many kinds of hormones, dosing and forms on how to take them. It seems like could be very complicated 🫣😩 only menopausal women can start HRT? Or women in perimenopause can start taking hormones?
Perimenopause if you have an educated doctor! No reason to suffer for years leading up to ceasing periods altogether as many women do.
Were is the best place to put evorol Conti patches please thank you ♥️🌹
It will say on the box or you can google it.
Heather, you did not mention taking oral progesterone vaginally. Is this a viable option for women who are having trouble taking progesterone orally and transdermally? I am having difficulty with the mental side effects of progesterone. Thank you.
Have been inserting vaginally for 8 months. Once a day before bed. It works really work for me
I don't know about others, but I have an IUD which I am very happy with, it provides the progestrone and I never have to mess with it. Also no cycles, which is the best part!
I also feel very blue and anxious on progesterone
I figured out very quickly that I was intolerant to the micronized progesterone. I had to switch to the “ less natural “ one but that was fine with me . I would have been completely non-functional if I had stayed on the micronized.
What did you switch to and is it working? I have same issue.
I am on estrogen and Progesterone. I take them at night and now I sleep so hard and deep that even sleeping 12 hours does not feel like enough. I wake up groggy and feeling like someone drugged me. To me this is worse than the insomnia.
Clearly you need a lower dose!
Estrogen in pill form is damaging to the liver!
that is progesterone, it causes drowsiness
It’s the progesterone
What age group are you talking about?!If you’re on hormones for life does that mean the uterus sheds even when you’re 80? Or does it settle down after 6months no matter what age you start? Do older women need more or less?
doctors and nurses explanations are very confusing
I don't understand it. I started HRT before I go into full menopause... I am cycling the HRT (i.e. progesterone for 12 days of month), then I get a "period"... why do you call that a bleeding ? is that a bleeding or is that a period? I just don't understand it. How would I know when I am in full menopause now that I had started HRT?
Itscreally like a period but lighter each month
I have dry mouth and burning tongue... I'm on .05 estrogen patch and 100 mg progesterine. Have you found increasing levels helps this symptom?
I’m sorry no one answered you. Please check our pain free you videos. I use to battle with dry eyes and mouth, so much better now
HRT helped my burning mouth by 90%
Had to increase to 50 patch and 200 progesterone
Do you discuss surgical menopause
my estradiol in follicular phase is 62.6 and fsh is 7.6 . I am in perimenopouse. Should I use estrogen gel and progesteron?
How do U know which route is best for a patient without just guessing? What do u do for us to know what is right for our body??
What test do U do for us to know what might B the best hormone replacement therapy for OUR body??
nothing. it's so prehistorical... hate the medical profession. completely unscientific
@@joannsmith3589 well, that really worries me. I don’t have a lot of faith and most of the medical people that take my insurance. There might be a few people that don’t take my insurance that actually care, but I can’t afford them. So I’m stuck with whatever my insurance will except my hands are tied. I do my lotta my research. I do a lot of my own homework because I don’t trust any of them and I don’t take the doctors words because he says to do this I do that I do my research and ask a lot of questions and get a whole bunch of different answers and then I tried different things myself natural things and hopefully they will help since I research that they are supposed to do the same thing without putting more crap in your Body.
Unfortunately, it’s pretty much just work. I just hope that whatever information I’ve gotten is correct after checking out against other people coming up with the most repeated idea and then I give it a try since it’s natural. I prefer to do that before I start taking a lot of medication’s that have terrible side effects.
@@joannsmith3589 I am pretty worried about taking the bio denticle hormones because I’ve done a lot of research on it and there’s so many things that can go wrong no matter which route you go when you take a pill or a patch or a cream. It’s all unpredictable because it absorbs quicker in the beginning and then the wings offer, the patch falls off or the cream gets wiped off. It’s just a hit and miss guessing game. So I’m gonna have to kind of guess and go with patches and creams and hope that I get something to help my body function better. But it’s still not much exact science. And then again, it depends on the person to go see what they think. Their skills are knowledges and choices they make, and it can vary from doctor to doctor vastly within the same field. Meaning, seeing five different gynecologist will have come up with five different answers most likely of what’s right for you. So it makes you not know what to do.
Like when I went to see somebody whether I had ankylosing spondylitis, and I got five different answers. Well, I got two of the same from a couple but mostly I got no you don’t yes you do. I don’t know you could possibly, but then again, maybe you don’t. So they don’t have the answers either. So I went away from seeing all these different doctors about angles in spondylitis not knowing whether I actually have it or not I personally think I do but I don’t have any confirmation from any doctors because they all disagree with each other. Well, a couple said yes you do in a couple said no you don’t and they said absolutely you don’t absolutely you do and then there were other saying they weren’t sure they didn’t know. And I’m supposed to put my life in those peoples hands ? I don’t think so.
@@joannsmith3589 Well they isn't very helpful. I was hoping for the best of the not so great. meaning what is out there I can do which will have SOME help for me so I can feel better & sleep better, etc.??
Surely as bad as U see things or maybe they R so horrible, there is something doable, which for me is better than doing NOTHING!
Any advice or thoughts with this posting that would B constructive given the medical profession as it IS & as it is so UN scientific??? Huh??
My worst symptom: IBS, loose stools. What’s up with that? Also, bleeding.
I am only on progesterone 10 days every 3 months with .75 patch. I bleed a lot. Is this a typical dose?
Can HRT ( patch & progesterone pill) be taken while on Letrozole for a stage 1 breast cancer ? Having very bad hot flashes as well as incontinence
For incontinence you can use Estradiol vaginal cream as it is not systemic...it only stays in the vagina apparently. I follow Menopause Taylor here on TH-cam. She is a Gynecologist, Lawyer with a MBA...she really knows her specialty.
Most physicians would be adamantly against HRT when you’ve had BC. But the ones in the know (really educated) say quite the opposite. There is a doctor extremely well versed in BC/HRT that has some incredible info I first heard her interview on FLCCC Alliance.
Very helpful
Does HRT help with lichen sclerosus?
What about testosterone? We need all 3
Thank you.
Help. I just started the patch. I'm on my 3rd week and miserable. I'm having terrible headaches and vomiting. I'm 51. When I was pregnant with my last baby, a girl, I had terrible headaches and after her birth I could no longer take my birth control. I would throw them up. I want this to work. Any suggestions to help with these side effects?
Thank you, for posting this, started hrt 2 weeks in started bleeding, trying to consult with my obgyn on which way to proceed.
😮where do you practice? I need an appointment with you.
Iam on an estrogen cream to help with dryness. I was not put on any progesterone. Is it ok to not have a progesterone rx ? I was told since estrogen is in cream form, I don’t need progesterone. Please help.
you can buy progesterone cream online, I like NOW brand. use as directed.
@@loneranger7573 Wrong advice! Prescribed drugs ought to be bought from pharmacies.
New studies out show estrogen alone is the best. The numbers are there on the largest study in years.
The progesterone stopped me. I turned into a zombie and had blurred eyesight.
I am not absorbing any of the medications (progesterone & testosterone). I get labs done every 3 months. It's so frustrating. I have been on hormones for almost 2 years. I tried the test. creams at different doses. Did not work. I am on a shot now & I don't think it's working bc my libido has not changed at all. I go back next week to my Dr but wondering if anyone here has had an issue with absorbing meds and were you able to eventually?
I’m 67 and my doctor just tried me on a the lowest dose of the estradiol patch 2x a week and 100mg of Prometrium. I sleep well but I’m so tired the next day. HRT has put even more weight on me. Since menopause in 2013 I have gained 28 pounds! I can gain 5 pounds in a week and I am so bloated. Since I started the patch I have cramps like I’m starting my period. No bleeding or breast tenderness. I use to do the compounded creams but I still had hot flashes and night sweats. She upped by dose and then it was too much estrogen and the progesterone cream didn’t help with sleep at all. I’m thinking of going off everything!
so, I frequently have breast tenderness so I am wondering if I start HRT will it continue or get worse.
Can you pls tell us more about cycling HRT. My doctor is willing to try this with me but we don’t have a protocol. I use bio identical progesterone, estrogen and testosterone