HRT Diary for a Perimenopausal Woman

Yesterday, the doctor asked me if I'd had any breakthrough bleeding.  To which I responded no. Which obviously means the very next day, my last day of progesterone and 3 days before I'd expect to start bleeding.  I did! Nothing else exciting happened, it proceeded exactly the same as my other periods.  But thought I would make a note. I'll continue in my normal routine of 2 weeks on progesterone and 2 weeks off.

 So while it is all fresh in my mind..... I explained that I had huge success with the Lenzetto and the changes I'd had. She was absolutely amazed that I had so much benefit from just one pump of Lenzetto a day.  I must absorb well. Then mentioned that my memory was deteriorating again. Where she said that I should go on testosterone. Testosterone is very much for memory, motivation etc.  and Louise Newson is starting to prescribe this more and ore from the first appointment.  I wouldn't say I am reluctant to go on testosterone. But, as its tricky to get on the NHS as despite being one of our hormones... its not licensed for women in the UK. I know its either going to cost me money or be a bit of hassle. Apparently, we can use the one for men on the NHS and just use half the dose, but the GP would need to be on board with it. Once you go on it, its not immediate like the Oestrogen but takes approx. 6 weeks to see an improvement. I mentioned that it had improved a lit...

 I haven't written much this month as there is nothing really to write... Everything has been pretty good, although I do feel my memory is deteriorating again. In fact so much so that I realise that it had got better!  I have my follow up appointment tonight with Newson Health, so that will be super interesting. As it turns out, my one and only problem is ironically, despite all the other improvements are what I contacted them about in the first place! 

 So yesterday I felt fine.  But eyes started to itch.  Today they a both swollen and prickling itching.  So I have taken antihistamine.  Interesting I am notably feeling quite low again. I always used to think that my eyes going made me feel very low. I now wonder if its just my hormones are lacking something so I happen to get both symptoms.... or its just that my body is fighting something and this also makes me feel low? 

 Woke up yesterday with what I would say low mood. Generally just felt very , meh....   I tried lifting with music, work, etc. Whilst music worked briefly it didn't really last. There was no reason for it. So I've kept a note just in case there is routine to this. Incidentally I am typing this on day 25 and I feel absolutely fine with no low mood at all. So it was odd.  Had quite a bit to drink as I went out with the girls after work. Again, no night sweats, barely any dehydration and feel in a great mood today :-) My eyes have been OK.... but there is an itching or something. But not what I would call a breakout so I haven't mentioned as a * in the title.

Positive Changes No night sweats Skin is amazing More flexible No PMT Less forgetful No dehydration Sleeping more soundly consistently through the month Negatives NONE One of my fingers went numb yesterday and I realised I hadn't had this happen for some time and it was reasonably regular.  Also, last night I got the itchy bone sensation in my legs as I was watching TV (Restless Leg Syndrome?).  I used to get this at least twice a week and realised this was the first time in ages I'd had this.  So I'll try and keep tabs on this. This month I also haven't had my eyes flare up. This just maybe one of those months.  But lets see :-) I also asked my husband if he had noticed any difference. TBH getting pretty much any information out of him is like extracting blood from a stone.  But, he muttered something along the lines of my mood being more consistent :-)

 Having spoken to a few ladies now and pointed them in the direction of Menopause Doctor, Newson Health, my blog and once armed ... their own GP. I have heard mainly success stories of getting it but with a couple of people not getting on with the HRT  straight away. This is where sadly I become unhelpful as I haven't had to deal with this.  So on this score I would say again go and look through some of the podcasts or factsheets on the Menopause Doctor website  https://www.menopausedoctor.co.uk and go back to your GP. One thing I will say from my research before starting my HRT, is that it can take up to 3 months before it works. You may also need to play around with doses and different types. e.g. you may not get on with the gel but the spray will work or the patch. I got told with my Lenzetto dose to try for a month and if my symptoms didn't improve - which they substantially have. Increase to two squirts a day. One Lenzetto pump is the equivalent of two pumps of ...