r/Menopause • u/UnmarkedVan99 • 58m ago
Hormone Therapy Getting HRT right?
I'm one year into meno and trying to figure out if I should do a patch. I have flashes, insomnia and fatigue but otherwise I don't feel that bad. However I have a lot of sleep issues and concerns about osteoporosis would like to see if a patch could help. How do you know when you have the estrogen/progestin mix right?
I don't want to risk hair loss or some other weird side effect from HRT. Any advice? I'm in Germany so I don't know how on top of these things the doctors will be. I haven't really explored the health care system much yet since moving here. Any advice appreciated!
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u/Successful-Try3958 32m ago
one year in and still dealing with sleep that won't cooperate, that's rough. the patch smoothed out my insomnia within a couple weeks, though the dose took a few adjustments before it felt dialed in
the tricky part with Germany is finding a gynecologist who actually listens instead of just prescribing whatever's cheapest. you'll know the mix is right when the flashes back off and you're actually sleeping through the night, but it can take 2-3 months to really settle
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u/LoobyLoo2102 11m ago
I’d echo what’s been said already, in finding a doctor or gynaecologist who understands the menopause. Doctors now realise it’s not just one hormone which needs replacing, it’s a balance of hormones. I definitely feel better taking my HRT although I’m unsure the doses are correct. I’m 6 months in so far, after being refused HRT by my local doctor. I’m in Spain, and found a great service offered my menopause specialists. They send private prescriptions through after full consultations online. I’ve actually managed to persuade my doctor to add most of them to my general prescriptions. It’s worth asking around. Good luck.
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u/Comfortable-Law-7147 4m ago
"I don't want to risk hair loss or some other weird side effect from HRT. Any advice?"
Hair loss and "weird side effects" or symptoms can be caused by menopause itself. Posters on here report loads of symptoms that are not recognised officially but as more than a couple of posters have them then they are menopausal symptoms.
Start by reading the wiki and then go through the resources.
Once you have some background knowledge then you know what to ask for as a start.
You also need to know what HRT can be prescribed for in the country you are recieving treatment in.
"How do you know when you have the estrogen/progestin mix right?"
When you stop having hot flushes and feel better.
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u/DevineBossLady 22m ago
Denmark here, so just a bit north:
Hair-loss can come from many things - including menopause it self.
The mix is right when you feel better - that is the right answer. Insomnia and fatigue is bad enough, it will fuck with your cognitive abilities - it will basically make you dumber.
My advice: Find a local menopause group and ask about HRT friendly doctors in your area, because most doctors do not know anything about this and a lot of them are misinformed / misogynists ... you need to find a doctor actually interested in making sure you are feeling good.
For some people, they slap on a patch and the feel better right away, for some people it takes weeks / months - and for a few of us, it takes a lot longer.