I recently laughed with friends when we discussed the sticky black square patches left on our thighs from old HRT patches and how we needed to scrub them off before going on our holidays!
Two key points I always make when it comes to HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy):
1. I am not here to recommend it to anybody; deciding to take HRT is a personal and medical choice.
2. HRT needs to be reviewed – your initial method of taking it and dosage may need to be changed over time.
I don’t provide any medical advice in respect of HRT, but I am willing to share my HRT experience with you in the hope it will ensure you continue to get the support you need with yours.
HRT was once described to me as “taking a paracetamol for a headache” and I feel this analogy was quite right. I am still experiencing symptoms, but they are managed (most of the time!)
I am not going to pretend that I spent hours and hours researching HRT before deciding to take it. I am also not going to pretend that I overly considered my decision and some may feel this irresponsible. However, premature menopause had taken me to an unpleasant place and I had to try something and HRT was it.
From the outset my GP recommended the merina coil, but I didn’t like the thought of it and always chose alternatives.
I started on HRT patches, which I stuck to my outer thigh and changed them twice weekly. Two weeks on one type of patch and two weeks on another.
Within 3 days the black cloud started to lift and I describe being able to see clearly for the first time in a long time! This was euphoric!
In turn, this enabled me to take stock; what was I eating and drinking; how was I exercising; was I allowing myself any headspace, selfcare etc. I knew I hadn’t been doing any of those things well, but I felt that I was now in the right space to make some changes… so I did.
Over the course of a few months I really worked hard to look after myself; retraining my brain to understand it wasn’t selfish to do so and in fact is was essential. Everything and everyone around me also benefited from the changes.
After a while, I noticed symptoms returning and I also knew I needed to do something about them much quicker than before.
I switched the way I was taking HRT. I moved to patches for two weeks out of four and tablets for the remaining two weeks. Again, initially, I noticed a positive difference and one of the bonuses was the tablets literally knocked me out to sleep!
Overtime, the decline in my mood started to increase and the anxiety was kicking back in. I started journaling in order to help manage the anxiety, but it also allowed me to reflect on feelings and symptoms. I started to notice a pattern. Each month when I switched to tablets, I started to feel dreadful and the anxiety was in full flow. The journal helped me pin point this issue and in doing so, I decided to seek further support from my GP. I was told that the progesterone tablets were literally blasting me with PMT and once again, I was advised that the best way for me to take progesterone was via a merina coil.
I decided that it was time to try it and I put myself on the waiting list.
Anyone who follows my work will know that I base it all on being open and honest. When it comes to the fitting of a merina coil; I am not going to provide you with the details, but I will tell you that it was not pleasant! There was difficulty fitting my coil and I felt the after effects for a few days. However, I am pleased to say that the merina coil, along with my oestrogen patch is the best form of HRT for me.
Now to see if I can get some testosterone!
The moral of this story is – keep reviewing how you are feeling and whether your HRT needs tweaking. If you feel it does, request that it is. Don’t sit back when you have come this far and always continue to fight your own corner.
HRT is only part of the journey – self love, headspace, nutrition, hydration and alternative therapies will also impact the way you feel and I can’t recommend concentrating on those aspects highly enough.
