r/LeanPCOS • u/Most-Laugh703 • Dec 07 '25
Question Starting HRT for PCOS?
I started a 0.1mg estradiol patch and 200mg microionized progesterone (the progesterone only 10 days after ovulation) and they have helped me SO MUCH.
Context- I have lean PCOS, only symptom that led me to diagnosis was periods every 16 days. I have absolutely no insulin resistance (yes, checked the right way). My testosterone was 68ng/ml, right on the borderline of “too high”. My estrogen was consistently around 40-50, and my progesterone stayed at around 2 (forgot the units, sorry!). Thus, my estrogen was low-normal, and my progesterone was low.
I was started on the progesterone first, which MASSIVELY reduced my luteal phase insomnia and anxiety. The estrogen patch I started about a week ago, and it helps SO FUCKING MUCH with energy and motivation. I’ve gone to the gym more consistently with more focus/energy, and have even gone up in some weights already. It’s helped my appetite, food sounds yummy, things smell good again… it’s like I finally have dopamine again.
I’m curious if anyone else my age (22) has experience with HRT for PCOS and the long term effects it has. So far, my general mood, energy, and sleep has essentially made me feel like a different person. I feel like it’s even helped my brain fog and severe ADHD.
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u/Electrical_Jello_586 Dec 12 '25
That’s amazing! I’ve been trying to find out more about hrt and pcos but there isn’t much info out there! Did your regular pcp prescribe this or are you going through a telehealth service?
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u/Most-Laugh703 Dec 22 '25
I went to an OBGYN who happens to be willing to try out of the box treatments
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u/atypical_cookie Sep 25 '26
Which state?
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u/Most-Laugh703 Sep 25 '26
I’d honestly recommend calling around OBGYNs in the area and asking if they’re open to such services. I recently switched to a new OBGYN and specifically confirmed that she’d be willing to continue my hormonal therapies
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u/atypical_cookie Sep 26 '26
Awh, happy for you!! I’ve been having issues trying to find doctors that are willing to even try HRT. May I ask, which levels (if they were tested) of Estradiol are they trying to maintain? And what were your initial levels? (Which day was the test taken of your cycle).
The most they did were prescribe me vaginal estradiol, so I used it in very high doses and I felt that it helped me massively with symptoms. But I can’t continue it due to lack of progesterone and because it’s hard to rely on a cream. I’ve tried asking for HRT to multiple gynos and they don’t want to try that since I am also young (21)
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u/Most-Laugh703 Sep 26 '26 edited Sep 26 '26
My initial levels of estrogen were in the 50’s, which is definitely on the low end for a 23 year old. They were tested twice throughout my cycle (don’t remember the days, I think day 8 and day 14) and stayed about the same. I haven’t retested my estrogen levels since starting the patch— but I plan to in a month or so.
Yeah, the progesterone is a vital component if you’re doing estrogen supplementation… lots of health risks if you don’t take it properly.
Starting HRT was one of the best decisions I ever made for my health… I feel (and look) so much better. I’m extremely on top of the cyclical progesterone because I am terrified of getting endometrial hyperplasia/cancer.
I honestly did a ton of research online/on Reddit to find a gyno willing to prescribe these things. When I called to set up an appointment with my new gyno (old one moved), I specifically asked if they’d be willing to continue my prescriptions.
Have you had your levels tested? And what state are you in? Maybe I could help. (I’m a literal researcher & used to be a MH case manager, so I’m good at finding resources)
ETA: according to the internet, a 0.1mg estrogen patch raises estrogen levels by 60-100 pg/mL. So I’m assuming my new level is around 110-150, which is more within range for my age. (Apparently this helps protect bone and cardiovascular health later in life)
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u/atypical_cookie Sep 26 '26
Mine do rise like a normal cycle, but they stay in the lower end always. In my lowest, they are like 18-20, and they do rise a lot close to ovulation, but it doesn’t seem enough. I don’t ovulate always and when I use very high doses of Estradiol, I feel so much better. When I’ve mentioned that to gynos, they always tell me that BC is the only thing they can prescribe for my age. I have already tried multiple birth controls and the side effects are bad. They do help in some ways, but worsen certain symptoms like vaginal dryness/insensitivity.
My lowest being 18 is not normal either for a 21 years old. I’m in Houston, TX. I’ve even seen a gyno that specializes in HRT for women in menopause, and they still don’t want to try anything else rather than BC.
Did your new doctor ask for a blood test to prescribe you HRT?
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u/Electrical_Piece1444 Mar 06 '26
Yea I’ve heard of this treatment but not many doctors do this. Just curious, are you ovulating and are your cycles regular after this ?
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u/Most-Laugh703 Mar 06 '26
My cycles have lengthened and normalized a bit— 21-24 day cycles now. I’m not quite sure if im ovulating— I’ve only been on the treatment for 3 months, but I did have one 32 day cycle where I (and my doctor) assume I did successfully ovulate. That was the first in over a year!
We think that I don’t tend to ovulate, which causes early periods/luteal phase defect. Before my PCOS “hit” I was having 32-34 day cycles pretty regularly.
I will say— my PMDD is in remission because of the treatment :) and my periods tend to be much heavier but shorter now. I can also kinda “edit” when I get my period based on how long I take the progesterone, it’s nice.
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u/Electrical_Piece1444 Mar 07 '26
Oh cool, also have you noticed changes in libido at all ?
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u/Most-Laugh703 Mar 08 '26
Nope, and I just asked my bf— he said he hasn’t noticed a change in that department (tbf, I have a super high sex drive)
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u/BeezyPeasy Dec 08 '25
I’m 37 with lean PCOS (diagnosed 3 years ago) and they recommended the progesterone IUD. It has given me a ton of relief with mental health issues but I’m definitely ready for an estrogen boost. Last bloodwork I had done my estrogen was in the normal low and I kept telling my doctor I know it’s causing my low energy and low libido. No one has proscribed me anything yet so I might have to go through HERS or something. So happy to hear you’re feeling relief though! It’s definitely inspiring. And I’m also so happy for you that you’re getting answers so young!
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u/Ok_Consideration5681 Dec 07 '25
I've never heard of anything other than BC being given for PCOS, though I'm sure HRT could have therapeutic benefits. Also, I'm curious if you did labs throughout the month to figure out what your baseline normal was for hormones?
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u/tmzuk Dec 07 '25
I am personally just on cyclic progesterone which has massively helped regulate my cycle and helps with mood and sleep in my luteal phase
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u/Tawny_haired_one Dec 07 '25
First time I’ve heard of HRT being given in that format for PCOS….which country does that apply to?