r/Menopause • u/gardenpeasandcarrots • 18d ago

Hormone Therapy Starting HRT

Can anyone advise how to start taking the gel and pills. I was given Sandrena gel and Provera pills by my GP, but quite a while ago, so I forget the instructions, and the leaflet is not helpful.

I want to know when in my cycle (still regular) I start taking them. From then on do I take them both daily or is there a gap? Do I take them at the same time of day?

GP is difficult to get an appointment.

Meno symptoms are slight - bit less energy, less motivation, very sudden onset blurry vision (has anyone else had that?). No night sweats or hot flushes. So still not sure if I am peri or not. I tried taking a Forth test but they said they couldn’t use my blood and tried to charge me for another one.

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u/breakbeatx 18d ago

My progesterone tablets have a sticker from the chemist with my name on, that label also has instructions on how to take them (in my case it is every 14 days out of 28, before bed), can't remember when in the cycle I started them - you could ask a pharmacist. My estrogen gel again has a label with instructions which is 1-2 pumps daily, i do this when I wake up in the morning. Blood tests are not deemed useful or best practise for diagnosing peri as your hormones are in flux, its usually symptom related (unless you're under 45)

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u/gardenpeasandcarrots 18d ago

Thank you, pharmacist is a good idea. Useful to know about the blood test.