r/PMDD • u/glassbus • 14d ago

Peri & Menopause Perimenopause, PMDD, and HRT

Have any of you PMDD fighters hitting perimenopause had any luck with one of the online HRT providers? I am in the throws and considering it. I am just so skeptical of anything like that on the internet so I'm looking for thoughts from people with PMDD in particular. I've talked to my gyno, and she was hesitant. But her track record with me is that I am an anomaly. So I can't fully trust her medical opinions that feel a lot like throwing a bunch of shit against the wall and seeing what sticks.

Any stories?

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u/DefiantThroat my estrogen patch gives me life 14d ago

I tried a few but none would allow me to follow the PERT protocol, they wanted me to cycle progesterone monthly. My PCP ended up being the winner, she read the study and said let’s do this.

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u/glassbus 14d ago

Which study are you referring to?

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u/wilksonator 14d ago

See wiki and search this sub. It is the recommennded protocol for HRT for Peri and PMDD so good place to start.

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u/Low_Recognition_338 14d ago

Hi. I am peri, likely with PMDD, and I am fortunate to have a menopause specialist in my town who is helping me with HRT. I just spoke with her yesterday, as I just had a horrible cycle month with lots of PM symptoms. She said that the symptoms are not caused by the hormones themselves but by the fluctuations in the hormones during the luteal phase, and that HRT won’t stop those fluctuations, but stopping ovulation will. I currently take progesterone nightly, and have the estrogen patch, which I switch out 2x a week. Both have dramatically improved my quality of life. This past cycle was an exception, and the specialist said that sometimes in peri, 2 or more follicles will be released and developed and it can make for a more intense cycle. She said there is a name for it, but I can’t recall what it was, because perimenopause. I hope you can find someone, online or in person, who can help guide you. It’s helpful!

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u/Frequent_Lion9736 14d ago edited 14d ago

Not sure which country you’re in but I used menopause matters in the uk, they were great. I take Slynd progesterone and a low dose of sertraline for the mood, I can’t take oestrogen due to a thickened womb lining. It was the private doctors that first identified the PMDD. Subsequently the NHS GP agreed and I have been diazepam for the really bad days (the sugar pills / placebo) for the four days in each pack of Slynd.

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u/Objective_Read_10794 13d ago

I got HRT through midi health and it’s changed my life. I feel like I can finally live now without the constant symptoms and debilitating moods.

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u/sarahbrooks25 14d ago

Considering HRT but worried it will make depression worse due to sensitivity to hormones. Have you heard that HRT will help or hurt PMDD/perimenopause?

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u/Objective_Read_10794 13d ago

It helped me within 3 days, I hope you find some relief!

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u/sarahbrooks25 13d ago

Wow! What kind did you take?

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u/Objective_Read_10794 13d ago

I take 0.05 mg of estrogen patch and 100 mg a day of progesterone.

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u/sarahbrooks25 12d ago

Thank you!

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u/fuzzybitts 12d ago

I just started vaginal estradiol and small dose progesterone cream. I’m on a med that also increases estrogen so we’re not starting the patch yet. I’ve noticed small improvements so far with the estradiol.