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Need help and experience with older woman on HRT

8 years ago

Hello lades,

I am in desperate need of help and hearing personal experience. I am 59 and began menopause at age 53. I thought I was doing well, no hot flashes, night sweats etc. But years later the vaginal atrophy and dryness set in. I was given vaginal Estrace, and low and behold my entire body seemed to spring back. Energy, mood, good sleep, etc. But then my scalp hair started falling out by the handfuls.

I have seen an endocrinologist, who has prescribed a patch with vaginal progesterone. I'm a mess.

I would like to hear from woman who have tried bioidentical hormone replacement and have had a difficult time. What I seem to notice is very odd surges. While the patch is suppose to deliver a constant and steady dose of estradiol, I sure don't feel it! It seems to surge and is never steady. Has anyone else also experienced this? Or do most of you feel that your HRT is consistent and level? (especially those woman using a patch for estrogen)

I'm really desperate here, and would love to see if I am alone?

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Comments (2)

shopping1959
7 years ago
Hello Garule,

I have been on bio identical hormones for about 3 years now. I do not use the patch. I take oral progesterone and an estradiol creme. I weaned off of the testosterone as I felt it was doing little good. You are not alone! The only benefit I feel are reduced hot flahes, however having said that I still experience terrible symptoms.

Extreme flushes of heat that last for what seems hours accompanied by gastric distress, headaches, mood swings, anxiety etc. Don't no why I bother with them at all! Blood tests come back showing "normal" hormone levels for a woman my age..55.

There are days where I feel almost normal, but the hormones have provided little relief. I would swear I am suffering from an autoimmune disease considering how awful I usually feel. Sorry you are struggling as well. hoping there is a light at the end of this crazy tunnell!
kmintonc
7 years ago
I am 56 went through menopause early around 40. I had some hot flashes controlled with soy isoflavones. Now all of a sudden extreme hot flashes that last for hours all day, gastric upset nausea, no appetite, anxiety. After 2 trips to ER thinking God only knows blood work normal, thyroid normal. Waiting on hormone blood work to come back. Gyno put me on low dose premarin pill until we get tesults. I have muscle atrophy vaginally as well. This is but bout 5 that originally I thought was a virus. I have never felt worst.
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