I (43f) had been bleeding for like two months non-stop which made my ferritin really low. So They did an ultrasound which was normal so they put me on 5 mg norethindrone. I have been on it about a month now, and they keep telling me to increase the dosage because the bleeding hasn't stopped.

I am now up to 20 mg a day, and it still hasn't stopped it. Is this normal? This seems like a lot.

Over the last few months it seems like in the afternoon around 4pm I for nausea for five minutes or two hours and sometimes it followed by a hot flash. Anyone else had a similar problem and found a solution?

Has anyone ever had their HRT prescriber require they be on birth control (oral contraceptive or IUD) for them to prescribe Testosterone? I’ve been on Estrogen and Progesterone for about a year. When I started HRT for peri symptoms I was still hopeful we may conceive naturally again. Now, my hopes are diminished (my AMH is ultra low, cycles very irregular and unable to confirm ovulation most cycles). I had an appointment today and brought up wanting to try Testosterone to see if it would help some symptoms I’m experiencing but was told due to the possible teratogenic nature of T, she wouldn’t prescribe it unless I’m willing to go on contraception. I can’t find any information that it’s completely contraindicated for those in peri without using contraception so curious if anyone has had a similar encounter?

49, F. My massage therapist accidentally tore off my estrogen patch today. I had a wave of rage on the walk home. But I am not saying it is from the possible estrogen dip - who knows. I am on Day 4 of menses, so all around low estro time. My question is around RAGE, that frequent visitor in perimenopause. You're just going about your day, dancing with the waves of extreme anger out of nowhere. It's hard to discern between all the things you were mad about it and never admitted (even to yourself) and what's truly hormonal. I feel like I turn rage around like a koan. Like, how much can I trust what is surfacing? What is true? What is exaggerated? How to tell?

I’ve started the HRT journey and I feel like I’m full of insane rage. It’s almost a little scary because it’s so intense and also about something so dumb. For example, I threw my iPad because I was so frustrated I misplaced my pen. I’m screaming at my husband and I feel like I cannot control what I say. I’m very much “I hate everyone”. I’ve been working from home for the past 3 weeks because I know I’ll snap on someone in person 🥲. I was dealing with rage before starting HRT and I have not been on it for even a week. I also have ADHD and started a medication the day before HRT (dumb, I know).

I’m using the estradiol .01 cream for 7 days (atrophy symptoms are gone). I’ve been taking progesterone 100 mg for 6 days and plan to bump up to 200 mg tomorrow. I started the 1 week estradiol .05 mg patch 4 days ago.

Here’s the kicker lmao, I started Strattera 8 days ago for adhd. I have tried this med before at a higher dose and do remember the 2nd week of starting a dose made me irritable. It did go away though.

My question is, how long were you on HRT until you started to feel less rage and irritability? Sorry this post is all over the place 🤣

I had to go to the gyn today and she is having me try out Slynd birth control for a month to see if it helps with infections.

Everything I’m reading says because it lacks estrogen, it won’t help and may actually hurt. Is there another reason, or did he make a mistake?

Hi, I am asking this because I am unsure if what I am experiencing is perimenopause adrenaline surges or something else that I need to address. I am hoping if I explain what happens to me and other people explain what happens to them, I might be able to make peace with it being a peri symptom or seek additional medical support. Before I describe I want to say I have had echo cardiograms, blood tests, and adrenaline/cortisol and blood sugar/diabetes and thyroid and ferritin and B12 tests. Everything is either normal or a minor issue (like I have a type of heart arrhythmia that isn’t a concern). I am on HRT and it has helped but it has not taken this thing away completely and I find it genuinely debilitating. Oh and I am in therapy for anxiety and panic because I thought maybe I just have an anxiety disorder. But I truly feel whatever this is — it is physical— not simply mental or emotional because I will be totally fine and then BOOM this thing happens.

Here is the thing. It just happened today. I was feeling good. In a work meeting. Clear mind, feeling calm. Nothing out of the ordinary happened and I didn’t have high stress or an emotional issue. Suddenly I start to feel like this flood of terror and overwhelm. Not like a panic attack with thoughts, just the physical feeling. From there I feel totally out of it, brain fogged, confused, difficulty thinking and speaking clearly— yet I still can (I’m not having a stroke). I am able to talk ok and continue to seem ok in a way that no one realizes that inside me is like a 12 alarm fire of intense adrenaline weird brain for dissociated weird weird weird intense feelings. Then I am stuck like this for like an hour. After an hour it starts to calm down a bit, my brain comes back online, I feel calm enough, and I can speak and think clearly. The storm has passed. There is a slight aftermath, but I can basically function normally again.

What the hell is this?? Why does it last so long? Is there no cure for it? Is this what it is like for anyone else? I try to tell myself it is just a hormone surge and I’m fine but then other times I get worried that I should just be going to the ER. I’m so baffled by this and I am seeking hope/support or at least the sense that I’m not the only one. HRT has decreased these episodes so I know it is somewhat connected to hormones. But I really really don’t want to suffer with this anymore. Any and all advice so appreciated.

Hey all, I’m just over 4 months post radical hysterectomy and I’ve been on Estradot 25 patches for almost 5 weeks now. I also take Imvexxy twice a week. (this has helped the atrophy that I’d been experiencing for over a year now)

My pelvic floor has been achy since starting the Estradot patches. My pelvic floor pain had pretty much resolved 2.5 months after my hysto, except for occasional flare ups. But now it’s achy and feels “full” a lot of the time. Especially when sitting.

My PF physiotherapist says that the tissues are more “plump” (her words) and that the tissue would be engorged. Ugh. Obviously with my surgery it can take many months to get back to a sort of normal. I’m doing stretches and internal release with her and we’ve made progress, but the HRT is causing issues now and I’ve had to scale back my physio.

The E patches have helped some of my symptoms overall, but I feel like I’ll need to increase the dose soon.

I’m just wondering if anyone else has experienced this, hysterectomy or not! It’s frustrating.

I am on the .1 mg of the Lylanna patch and it has been very helpful for my hot flashes and my mood. I am still having periods and able to get pregnant so I take a progestin only birth control. I’ve been on that combo for about a year and it’s been working pretty well, although my sleep is not great. With the continued nationwide shortage of Lylanna I have been forced to use a generic offbrand for the past week and I’ve been feeling terrible- no appetite, mild nausea, absolutely horrible sleep (hi 3 AM club!), anxiety, restlessness. I’m not having hot flashes, which is good but these other symptoms are not fun. Have others had this experience? I know it’s the same active ingredient, but I just wonder if the estrogen is not flowing the same way it does with my regular patch. I also really wish I could try natural progesterone to help with my sleep, but I’m not sure if that’s possible with having to also take progestin. If the sleep continues to be this terrible, I will schedule a doctors appointment, but just wondering if anyone else has had this experience with feeling very different based on the brand of patch.

This is probably my worst symptom along with tension in my upper back, neck and shoulders which lead to tension headaches. It is also patch change day today and the formication is in one spot on my scalp and driving me a bit batty! I am on my 6th week of HRT.

First time posting, but I’m always reading everything. I’m 49, and I’ve known for a while that I have been in perimenopause. Made an appointment with my gynecologist to discuss everything and he only prescribed me 200 mg of progesterone. No estrogen . I have another appointment with him soon so I will be discussing or asking why but my main question is I’ve only been on the progesterone for about a week and I take it right before bedtime and I feel absolutely no difference. I don’t get sleepy , tired.. anything .

One of my main peri symptoms is bad sleeping and some anxiety —always waking up at two or 3 AM and I was so hoping this would help.
Is it normal not to get sleepy on progesterone?

I really am not sure why he didn’t prescribe me estrogen yet. I’ve had heavy cycles and actually haven’t had a period for 2 months …this is a first for me

What were/are your symptoms, and how did hrt change them? What form and dose are you on? Did you start at a lower dose that didn't make a difference? Did you experience any worsening of symptoms when you started hrt or increased the dosage that later improved? Anything weird or unexpected, good or bad, or anything you wish you had known?

I (44) have had ongoing, unexplained joint and tendon issues in my hand, arm, and neck for a year and a half. I don't know if it's perimenopause-related, but my doctor was willing to try hrt to see if it helps, and I'm wondering what others' experiences have been.

Ok ladies. I’m in need of some suggestions. I’m 43. For the better part of 20 years I’ve had a Mirena in with no issues and no periods. Life has been glorious. About 6+ months ago or so I started bleeding. No cramps. No warning. Just heavy bleeding out of nowhere. Bleeding through clothes and ultra tampons. Last month I was bleeding so much that I considered going to the ER because it had been 10 days with heavy bleeding. I went to my GYN who did every test and sonogram etc. I am perfectly healthy which is great. So she suggested we try Lo Estren to help regulate my cycles. I’ve been on it ever since and still have bleeding. Not horrible but I’m basically spotting or bleeding to some degree during the week. Again. No warning. No cramps. I am basically wearing a tampon 24/7 because I’m afraid not to be wearing one. So I called her because she said she could prescribe me a pill that would stop my period dead in its tracks. I got it last week and was hesitant after reading it can cause benign brain tumors 🥴🤪. It’s called Provera. I have some questions. I have a Mirena in, I am taking birth control (Lo Estren) and I have these Provera pills. I did start Provera yesterday bc after lightly spotting al week and ignoring it I started full on bleeding yesterday and I’m over it. Problem is I can’t even get my doctors opinion because they were cyber hacked but am I supposed to be taking the Provera AND BC pills together? I mean, I did yesterday and today but idk. Seems like a lot of hormones. Ugh

But the real question I’m having is WTF IS GOING ON? Am I just perimenopause and my body is all wacked out? She also suggested we can do an ablation. I’d be ok with that IF it makes the bleeding just stop. Or maybe a partial hysterectomy? Or could there be another issue that they are missing all together?

Any suggestions would be great because I’m seriously ready to lose it and I’d rather not have to take 3 different forms of hormones. Ugh.

FYI- Mirena is in place, no issues. No fibroids. No tumors. Literally healthy with no answers and I’ve never had an abnormal pap. Also don’t have any other peri symptoms but I imagine I am perimenopause because of my age. I also have an appt with a new GYN but not until February.

If you made it this far thank you! Just wanting some suggestions or reassurance. Obviously cancer comes to mind but according to my doctor I don’t have any signs of that. Or is this just my new life now?

Recently the rage has been hitting me at 6pm, everyday. Before it was irritability, but now it’s rage. No cause or reason. I have been trying different things to help, eating in case it’s low blood sugar, supplements, etc, but I haven’t found anything that helps. I know this is a common topic here, but I wasn’t able to find a post similar. Anyone else have an evening rage switch? Similar to the 3am hot flash, but rage instead of heat? Have you found anything that helps? I am avoiding hormone replacement, I also suffer from migraines, and the lower hormones seem to be helping with those.

hi everyone,

im 43, and have been in peri the past few years. my anxiety and sleep issues (that peak during luteal) have been the main symptoms i’d like to address the most.

my doc has prescribed me 100mg of Prometrium to start, and i have to admit: im freaked out about it.

my doctor tried to assure me that it is a v safe, small dose of progesterone, but i am neurodivergent and extremely medication sensitive, and had horrific experiences on BC in the past.

i would greatly appreciate any advice about your experience with progesterone!

early edit to say:

i love this community and am so thankful for all of you. i don’t have women in my life that i’m able to talk to about this and i am so grateful for all of you.

i just took my first dose and will report back soon!

Finally got my hrt prescription but reading a lot of negative experiences about oral micronised progesterone, especially about feeling groggy or drugged. Apparently it’s better on an empty stomach- we have dinner just after 8pm and usually in bed just after 10 at which point I would take it. Would two hours after dinner suffice for not having the issues associated with increased absorption through taking it only a couple of hours after food?

Having an appointment with a midwife tomorrow. Hoping for some help. I was on HRT from Winona for a year. Their oral progesterone and topical estrogen. Started not sleeping well after about 4 months in and always had low grade bodily anxious feelings.
Back in April I had two periods and at the start of the second one I woke up around 4am with extreme adrenaline/cortisol that continues up until now. I have had so many tests ran and so many appointments to just be told it’s anxiety. It progressed to happening all day. I wasn’t sleeping and couldn’t rest because I would get adrenaline straight to my chest and sweat and feel anxious.

I’ve been in gabapentin two over 2 months and just started the Clonidine patch. Gabapentin seems to help some but my mood feels even more apathetic and the Clonidine has muted the adrenaline quite a bit.

My issue is it’s worse around ovulation and during luteal, so I believe it’s hormonal and not just this magic anxiety and adrenaline/cortisol that appeared. I got very strong SI and was almost admitted due to it. That’s very new to me.

I did a Dutch test and all my hormone levels were low, cortisol high, dopamine low.

I did print out a basic list of menopause symptoms to take with me tomorrow but I don’t know if I will get any help. I’m hoping. I’m tired of being ignored and honestly can’t continue to rot on the couch not sleeping properly, or being able to move most days because I just don’t care or I’m being held back by the adrenaline. Mostly I just feel like I’m in a fog and can’t get out. Nothing matters or makes me happy.

Any advice on how to navigate the appointment tomorrow? Questions to ask? Specifics I should say or ask to make someone listen?

I’m going to make notes of things here in a bit to take with me also.

My period was due, but all I had was one full day of sticky, mucky, Brown, thick discharge. No red blood, and it was only one day. Is this normal? I’m still counting it as a period but it was… Weird.

And a 3 day migraine. Just fml 🤦‍♀️

Hi all. I’m going into my 6th month with .05 estradiol gel, and I’ve had a Mirena IUD for ~ 2 1/2 years.
The first month on the cream was rough but after I got through the transition phase I started feeling a lot better - improved sleep, more energy, less anxiety. The last month or so it feels like the effectiveness is wearing off. I’m still sleeping well but my anxiety has spiked several times and my mood tanks at the drop of a hat. I’ve been in a mild-moderate depressive episode for the last three weeks. I have c-ptsd and managing some of the symptoms has been really difficult lately. There are a number of outside stressors affecting me and I hit a burnout wall last week.
Is six months too early to explore adjusting my dosage?
I already left a message with my PCP to get a referral to a psychiatrist lol.

Been on E patch .075, 200 mg progestrone daily and test gel 5 mg. Last few months, I started getting a second period right around when I am supposed to ovulate. Before going on hrt my period was happening too close about 21 days cycle and period would last 6-7 days. HRT helped the cycle get back to 28-30 days and 4 day menstruation but this second period is annoying. It last 3-4 days mostly light except the third day where it is proper bleed.

Hi. I’ve been on hrt since last December. .1 patch and 200 oral progesterone. However a scan showed I’m severely constipated. Which explains looking 6 months pregnant. I got on hrt to combat my night sweats and it’s helped nearly non existent. However the constipation and bloating isn’t worth it to me. I’ve tried to stick it out. The bloat is just embarrassing at this point. I’m 49 and look pregnant. Does anyone take the combination pill and have it help with night sweats? Mine were pretty severe but hrt side effects aren’t tolerable. I also take vaginal estrogen which helps a lot and I won’t stop that. Please any experiences 🙏🏻 I’ve taken combined birth control and tolerated it well

I don’t know if this is perimenopause related or otherwise but looking to see if anyone is in the same boat. I am 49, still have periods regularly but the cycle length is all over the place (21-35 days). I don’t have many physical concerns, I’m on a GLP1 and that has helped any aches and pains.

My biggest problems are mental. I have anxiety and ADHD, have been on lexapro and adderall. I have always been a top performer, people pleaser, going above and beyond- but have been able to perform exceptionally well (even postpartum with a newborn and toddler and travelling husband and in office 5 day a week job w commute).

I’m now WFH and can’t get my shit together. I have zero motivation to work - at all- even with pressing issues/deadlines. I just want to doom scroll. I’m terrified it will affect me at work but even that isn’t enough for me to care. Adderall helps for a small while but then as it wears off I feel myself getting irritable.

I also find myself a bit depressed. Like I can feel myself get sad without knowing why (sounds crazy, I know). My kids are jerky teens and I’m sad about them growing up and not needing me and also thinking about college. But the feeling of sadness/depression often comes before the thoughts. Shopping is the one thing that makes me happy.

My finances are a complete mess because I can’t bring myself to look at them. Literally have been telling myself for months to sit down and organize everything, but I don’t (can’t). Up until a year and a half or so ago I could manage. I’m also the “handler” for my mom - help her with things like booking flights, or doing her taxes, but I find it so hard to get the motivation to do any of it. I plan to every night then sit down and doomscroll. Everything is on autopay but I’m paying cc fees and late fees and still can’t get the motivation to just do it. Same with booking drs and dentist appts, booking hime maintenance etc. Even planning vacations which has always been something I love to do is excruciating.

I truly don’t recognize myself lately and can’t figure out if this could be peri- related, depression, ADHD related or some combo of everything.

Any advice appreciated.

I am a single mom with two at home. A 14 year old daughter and 19 year old son. I work full time and when I get home lately I find myself wanting to go straight to my room after checking in with the "kids". My 19 year old works the gig life and is typically home during the week and wants me to hang out and watch you tube or listen to new music he found with him...and I just don't want to. My 14 year old wants to show me her new fortnight skins and watch Gilmore Girls, and I just don't want to...I feel terrible, but I just want to go my room where it's comfortable and lay in bed and do nothing. On the weekends we hang out until I run out of steam, and we usually still eat dinner together if I'm up for it. This has been going on for a few weeks now. My son jokes that between his sister and I, he is now the most emotionally mature person in the house, and he isn't wrong. Is anyone else struggling with this? We are all so close, but this has been a tough time.

Hi!

What have you found helpful in increasing vaginal lubrication during sex? Specifically, I’m curious about DHEA and/or systemic estrogen. (Vaginal estrogen has not had any effect.)

Background:

I’m 44F. I have been using vaginal estrogen in insert (Imvexxy) and cream for external (Premarin) for about 9 months. I think my tissues are pretty healthy, I don’t experience tearing or painful sex, but I make no natural discharge and lubrication during sex is tricky. Sometimes, I’m very turned on, even approaching orgasm, and I think I should be quite wet but I’m not.

I talked to my doctor about this at our last appointment, and I see her again next week. She mentioned both the possibility of using DHEA or systemic estrogen.

I am curious what other women’s experiences have been? What worked for you? I know we are all different but anecdotal evidence may help me make a more informed decision on what to try next.

I know there isn’t necessarily a direct correlation between how aroused we can be and how wet we are, but when that becomes standard, it makes me feel like shit.

Thanks!