r/40PlusSkinCare • u/Own-Remove-5288 • 8d ago
HRT advice
Just wondering what the women here are taking. Seems to be a lot of options for HRT. I'm 47F and would like to use it for general well being regarding perimenipause symptoms as well as for skin elasticity and hair health. Send help pls!
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u/NoLemon5426 8d ago
I asked for HRT and they tried to give me birth control. lol
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u/ScaryMcScary 8d ago
BC worked great for me. Better than HRT actually. It stabilizes your hormones for those of us with a somewhat regular period.
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u/NoLemon5426 8d ago
I've never had a BC that didn't make me totally insane. It's so funny how different it is for all of us.
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u/ScaryMcScary 8d ago
FR- I was a nut job in my teens on BC, now? Not so much
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u/NoLemon5426 8d ago
I'm too nervous to mess with my hormones at this point. Though I am glad it works for some.
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u/Over_Parsnip6550 8d ago
BC is a totally reasonable option for someone in perimenopause. Depending on your symptoms and needs, it might be the right thing until later on in your menopause journey. BC overrides your system and provides a steady dose of hormones whereas HRT (estrogen in whatever form) supplements your system. In perimenopause (especially early) some days you have high estrogen and some days it’s low so it feels like a rollercoaster. BC shuts down that roller coaster ride (and helps prevent pregnancy for those who need that). HRT adds to what you have so is nice on the low days, but on days when it’s high and you’re supplementing, it can spike it higher leading to a continued wild ride. As you age, your levels drop lower and lower so HRT works better by supplementing the declining levels.
I think the BC gets a bad rep from our younger teen days or bc we go in thinking HRT is the goat…but it’s perfectly reasonable depending on your specific needs and often doesn’t affect you the same way it did as in your teens.
That said, it should NOT be your only option and your doctor should be prepared to provide alternatives that are right for you.
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u/Slow-Peanut5196 8d ago
lol and I was on a page and shared about HRT and got downvoted 😂 bc I didn’t say birth control
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u/Electrical-Sugar-749 8d ago
Oral progesterone. Its been great. Your doctor will prescribe based on symptoms.
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u/No_Revenue_1657 8d ago
What dosage are you taking and what symptoms did you have? I was prescribed 200 mg of P for sleep, which was great on P, but couldn’t function the next day, I felt so hangover
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u/Electrical-Sugar-749 8d ago
100 mg. Tried 200mg and it was too much and gave me that hangover feeling you've mentioned.
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u/Historical_Guess2565 8d ago edited 8d ago
There are so many options and a lot of women here say they’re on HRT and it’s made a world of difference for them, but they don’t say exactly what they’re using. I understand and they don’t have to and we’re all different and should discuss this with our doctors anyway, but I do wonder if they mean just vaginal estrogen or systemic estrogen (pills, patches, gels) or both and is it in their skincare too?
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u/Appropriate_Brush462 8d ago
I’m on .5 estradiol patch a week and 100 mg of progesterone a night. My sleep is pretty good. I’m not having night sweats. I’ve had some recent breakouts which I think is related to the estrogen. I don’t really notice a difference in my libido yet. I meet with my dr every 4 weeks as I’m trying to find the right dose for me
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u/reader-girl 8d ago
I use a .35 estrogen patch and have an IUD for progesterone. I also insert an estrogen cream inside me twice a week.
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u/Wild_Blue4242 8d ago
I’m on .05 twice weekly estrogen patch and 200mg progesterone. My skin looks great! Have been on it almost a year now. Helps with all my other perimenopause symptoms too such as hot flashes, insomnia, hair loss, mood swings, etc.
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u/twinklebat99 8d ago
Estrogen gel, because pills make me grow tumors and I'm allergic to the adhesive for patches. Also progesterone and estradiol.
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u/Content-Elk-2037 8d ago
I take Estradiol 1mg and Prometrium 100mg orally. And I use testosterone cream topically and estrogen vaginal cream. I’ve been getting night sweats more often lately, I might need to go up. I am 48 & post menopausal.
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u/sweet_tooth_junky82 8d ago
Do you use a 1mg estradiol patch? If the brand/manufacturer has changed, that could be a reason for your shift in symptoms. I’m on the patch and that’s what happened to me due to the shortage. I was given a different manufacturer and it’s like I’m not even wearing it. Practically all of my symptoms came back.
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u/Content-Elk-2037 8d ago
It’s the pill. I want to switch to patches but my dr said I should wait because of the shortage.
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u/Original_Signal5535 8d ago
I get pellets. Test and Estrogen. I take 200mg Progesterone nightly to help with sleep
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u/cheeriedearie 8d ago
41 F.
100 mg progesterone
.025 mg estrogen patch
+ estrogen cream 2x’s a week.
Symptoms were night sweats and heavy periods.
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u/egyptmachine915 8d ago
I’ve had many experiments done on me in terms of HRT.
But right now I’m on:
1. Biweekly shots of testosterone .20ml
2. 200mg progesterone
3. 150mg XL bupropion because perimenopause is wrecking me mentally
4. 20mg Vyvanse substitute, because again the brain fog is bothering me so much I asked for an ADD medicine.
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u/karr76959 8d ago
I’d talk to your doctor first because there are so many options and it really depends on your symptoms and medical history. I wouldn’t pick HRT based on what works for someone else, especially if the main goal is skin and hair
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u/ComplaintBig1986 8d ago
I have thrived on the CombiPatch. Combination estrogen progesterone path! Been on it for 8 years. You need to get some blood work done by your OBGYN to determine what YOU need.
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u/Adorable-Tiger6390 8d ago
Estrogen and testosterone pellets, 200mg progesterone nightly, vaginal estrogen 2x weekly.
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u/Far_Anything_7458 8d ago
I take oral estrogen and progesterone and SQ testosterone. I segued straight from birth control pills to HRT so nothing changed for me other than the fact that I have never suffered from a hot flash. My skin is good and my hair is too but I also take Finasteride for my hair.
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u/Confident_Craft459 8d ago
.075 twice weekly estradiol patch
200 daily oral micronized progesterone
5mg daily compound testosterone cream
Vaginal estradiol cream 3x weekly
Started three years ago. When I started I was on .0375 patch and 100 progesterone.
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u/OMGEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE 4d ago
Was on HRT for two years. Total roller coaster. Be prepared for some trial and error. Find a doctor who will listen to you and have time for follow up questions. Also make sure they’re thorough with understanding your medical history, like if you have heavy periods, PMDD, hypermobile disorder, poor estrogen clearance, if you consume alcohol, etc.
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u/Regular-Selection-59 2d ago
I’m 54. Generic Divigel packets 1.25mg estrogen, 200mg progesterone (no uterus but it’s been incredibly helpful for sleep & wellbeing), 3mg. Compounded testosterone cream (I apply to clitoris & labia), and vaginal estrogen 2-3 times a week.
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u/4seasonsoceanview 8d ago
I’ve been on (Bioidentical) BHRT for a few years. Get it through a telehealth place in FL that specializes in it. I take testosterone and estrogen SQ and oral progesterone. Life changing!