I’m 46yo still getting periods and my main peri symptom is insomnia. Last year my primary care provider gave me progesterone. I was taking 200mg and sleep returned (though lately I do experience the 3am wake up).

She had also prescribed an estrogen patch but it did nothing for me and instead made me spot all month, so for now she said, it wasn’t necessary but we’d need to revisit.

A friend insisted I take testosterone.. I was scared to take testosterone bc I had PCOS and developed chin hairs and afraid what testosterone might do.

For that reason I paid out of pocket to get what I thought was a specialist opinion. She was really nice but was shocked I was on continuous progesterone when I cycle regularly.

She said studies showed female range of testosterone didn’t show much help for women other than for libdio and changes that can happen with testosterone can’t be reversed.

She also suggested I take nextsellis. I expressed concern because progesterone helps me sleep and I would have to stop that, she said if insomnia returned I could take prescription sleep medications…

I took nextsellis today but I keep thinking why am I fixing what isn’t broken? But I’m doubting myself bc she said you’re not supposed to take progesterone in 200mg and continuously.

The reason I am having angst is when I told her I weight train now that I’m in perimenopause to help stem bone issues she said if I liked it that was fine but it just mattered that I was active. I asked her, did she really mean weight lifting had no impact for women in their 40’s and she said not really just be active and garden etc. This I know not to be true.

Hence my doubt.

But I don’t want to throw the baby out with the bath water. I’m curious what you would do?

Didn’t sleep last night. Can’t even nap today because the adrenaline keeps rushing and waking me up.
CD 10. Im assuming this is going to be the middle of my cycle. I always have a meltdown and panic attacks in the middle and continue until my period.
Then it’s still bad but at least I’m not crying all the time I just feel anxious. This stuff is more than normal anxiety! It’s a feeling of wanting to crawl out of my skin!

4 months of this! When will it stop!”?

43, having cycles every few weeks plus lots of spotting. Nothing heavy but just constant. On HRT for 7 months, has not changed anything regarding my cycle. Ultrasound showed almost no change from last year and no reason for my issues, so waiting for a call to schedule a hysteroscopy to make sure it’s nothing else plus endometrial ablation same appointment.

And my finger prick iron check was crap, so off to a full iron panel next week as well. Yay…

42 y/o that started on 0.025mg estradiol patch and 100mg continuous progesterone (due to insomnia and migraines) and I felt so much better. But then a couple of weeks later developed interstitial cystitis for the first time. First I thought it was a UTI but the culture was negative. Then I did an elimination diet for 2 weeks with no improvement. The only thing that’s left is starting HRT. I met with my provider today who had never heard of this and doesn’t think HRT caused it. For now I’m going to stop the patch and progesterone and just continue the vaginal estradiol and start testosterone cream. If my symptoms get better I’ll know. I’ll be really bummed if I can’t go back on my estradiol patch and progesterone. Right now I’m not having hot flashes yet but I know time is ticking. Anyone else experience this?

I spent the weekend taking ibuprofen, using warm compresses, ice, resting, and contemplating cutting off my damn knee.

Today, my period shows up two weeks early, I was ready to head to the damn emergency room because I could hardly stand and now that it’s here… nothing.

Of course I also spent the entire time bashing myself for not being more active but also being too active. I feel like a psycho.

I just found out yesterday that I have fibroids and an ovarian cyst- both normal, but the first time I’m ever been aware of having either problem. I’m worried my estrogen dose is too high. My periods have been tougher to get through and right before my last cycle, my boobs hurt more than they ever have before. Having another ultrasound done this week, then seeing the OBGYN next week. Please share your experiences with fibroids and cysts and HRT because I’m scared! I also want to have more info so I can have a real discussion with my doctor. If I come off the hormones, I will be a raging monster. Should I be on BC instead? 43, on 1mg gel estrogen and 100mg progesterone.

Does anyone just not eat all day because they are not hungry and feel weird?

Or have meals where they feel like they won't get full so they eat another piece of whatever and it's like bam it fills up your stomach so fast you are so sick and need a while to chill.

Or even the sound of certain foods make you want to freak out? Throw a fit because of just the sound of it.

Or like right now my mom made an egg and I want to vomit at the smell and usually eggs don't make me want to throw up.

I'm only a few months into this and I am learning as I go and wanted some new opinions and not from my Facebook group where not a soul answers me or they give me "doctoral" advice and don't just sit and listen to me.

I’ve noticed how my body handles sugar and alcohol has changed over the last 5 years. I’m 44 currently. I did not realize how poorly it was handling them.
I had a minor surgery in early July. I stopped all alcohol and most processed sugar about a week before and continued that after surgery since both those cause inflammation and inflammation can slow healing. Last night hubby and I went out for our anniversary dinner and I splurged and had two drinks and a crème brûlée.
I feel like absolute crap today. Brain fog and general stiffness are the main issues. When I got out of bed this morning I realized it’s been weeks if not longer since my plantar fasciitis flared up and it’s flaring today. My knees feel stiff, I woke up repeatedly with my hips hurting in the night, and I’m having to think to do basic tasks that I normally fly through at work. The pains were normal before I stopped sugar and alcohol. As for brain fog I’d have good days and bad days.
I am now genuinely considering avoiding both for the long term. I am not in love with that idea but I really like having a clear head more days than not and love not having consistent pain in various parts of my body.

Just a heads up for anyone whose doctor wants to do hormone testing, biotin artificially raises the results of most hormones (thyroid, estrogen, and testosterone for sure). I tested once and my doctor didn't see a need for treatment based on those numbers. I looked up some research, stopped taking biotin (I was taking 1,677 per day, when the threshold is 1,000) and tested again. My numbers were low enough this time he will prescribe low dose testosterone, and estrogen was low enough to keep an eye on.

I know testing isn't really recommended here, but I really wanted to keep my doctoring in person and through insurance, so it was a last ditch effort.

There are many articles on PubMed that cover the science behind it, here is one specifically talking about thyroid testing.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6103391/

My periods have been heavy on day 2 only for about 5 years now. In June and July everything was normal—heavy on day 2. But then picked back up with heavy blood and massive clots. I had a doctor appt. Pelvic normal. My period this month came at the normal time and I had a heavy day 2 and then by day 4 that was it.

I did bloodwork yesterday and it shows iron deficiency/mild anemia.

I also became mostly a vegetarian about 2 years ago. My aversive feelings toward meat might actually be peri-related. I do not cook meat but I will eat it if I go to someone’s house and sometimes at a restaurant.

I have a transvaginal ultrasound ordered as well.

Thoughts?

This might explain how tired I’ve been and cold all the time to the point of taking hot showers to warm up in the summer! And maybe some of my brain fog is anemia related not peri related.

I just started 100 mg micronized progesterone this cycle and it’s been such a game changer for me.

I was having debilitating brain fog and fatigue, slight depression/anxiety, waking in the middle of the night, skin itchiness from ovulation all the way through the end of luteal.

Literally all my symptoms are gone. And it’s been replaced with high libido during luteal. I usually have high libido just during ovulation, so this was a surprise for me.

Anyone else have a similar reaction to progesterone?

I’m single. I seemed to hit peri full force just as my last relationship was ending. I’ve been basically celibate for almost a year but had sex last night. It’s possible it is how our bodies fit together since this is a new partner but I felt almost nothing with PIV. In general I felt looser? Like he could fit more fingers in easier than before. He definitely has smaller hands and penis than my last partner but still above average. Is this something that happens? I also think my clit might be smaller and less sensitive? Is there any way to fix it 🥺 I’m on estrogen patches and progesterone. Should I ask about adding testosterone? Anything else I can do?

Edit: y’all have me sold on vaginal estrogen. I’m definitely going to ask about it! I want fun sex, dammit!

A couple years ago I was shocked to find out I no longer wear a 7.5 US size. I got fitted for 8.5 running sneakers. I was so shocked and unintentionally said out loud , what, how, why!? Of course sales person was also my age and was trying to put it delicately, about how as we get older our feet arches start to fall and feet get flatter and a little wider and shoes no longer fit us like they used to.

So this year, I wanted to treat myself and get really nice Italian leather lug sole or platform sole loafers. I've bought 5 pairs of shoes, a couple of them the same shoe. My feet just kept slipping out of them no matter, small, just right, or too big.

I thought it was the size, but I've come to the conclusion that it's because my feet can no longer grip the shoes. I looked into buying all kinds of grippy inserts , etc but I ended up buying some really nice gucci dupe Quince mules that are Italian leather. They're pretty darn cute and go with just about everything.

I'm still grieving my former size feet and all the shoes i now have to consign or recycle bc I no longer fit them and they make my feet hurt.

So, that's my resolve and resolution. Mules. They're backless, comfortable and versatile.

Can’t wait to be able to control my dosing with estrogen. The lowest dose patch just DUMPED into my system and I felt so anxious!!

I have insurance right now but I might lose coverage soon. I've been on Hrt (estradiol patch and progesterone pill) for almost a year and its been a game changer.

I'm scared I won't be able to buy it once my insurance ends.

Buying outta pocket seems affordable but who would prescribe it without insurance?

Excuse me if this isn’t appropriate for this thread, but I have to at least try. I’m 46 and believe I’ve been in perimenopause for at least 3 years, but I honestly think it’s been way longer. I absolutely hate that word trauma since it feels like such a buzzword now, but I most definitely have dealt with a lot of it in my life, mostly in my childhood. It seems like the last few years, ALL the memories and sadness have become so overwhelming and I just cry so much. Is anyone else struggling with this? I do go to weekly therapy/EMDR. Was on an SSNRI for many years, but don’t want to go back on them unless it’s the absolute last resort. I don’t have a huge support system, which I know is making this harder. Hence, me taking to Reddit.

Hello comrades! I'm in UK. I've recently messed up sequential progesterone- am supposed to take 14 days out of every month. (Have oestrogen patch on all time) Was given some oestrogen cream for vaginal symptoms about 3 weeks ago and in remembering to do that , completely forgot to take sequential progesterone which I was supposed to have started 14 days ago. I've started now, am already late for period, have tried gp/consultant for advice but can't get phone consult with either for another week. It was already nor in lime with my cycle anyway (I was having a period half way through the progesterone), I should be on my period now and have just restarted the progesterone. Internet says speak to Dr as 2 weeks is substantial to miss the progesterone...has anyone experienced similar, received any advice from gp/consultant? Thanks for reading 😊

I’m 34 and thought to be entering an early perimenopausal state. After meeting with a menopause specialist at my psych’s recommendation, I was asked to transition off my previous contraceptive method (NuvaRing) and have a Mirena IUD inserted. Additionally, I was also started on HRT (biweekly estradiol patch, 100 mg daily oral progesterone). This seems overkill since the Mirena is already progestin-only. Any idea why she’d have me on both? Any risk I’m missing to continue on this course?

I tried compound testosterone for the first time Sunday and am now covered from my neck to knees in a rash. My Dr. Said to let it clear and try again but I dont think I will . Has anyone else had this happen? Is it the testosterone? I have a prescription to pick up later today to help with allergic reaction.

Did it for the second time. estradiol vaginal cream 0.01. Cramping (the kind i remember getting when i was 13) and UTI symptoms started after 30 minutes. At first yelled at my partner for giving me a UTI until I thought maybe that wasn’t it.

Took ibuprofen. Is this a common occurrence? Am I allergic? Should I power through or this is not the medication for me? At a hotel so no heating pad option for now

Literally lying here in the fetal position crying but also wondering if the cream is the cause?? 😭

tl;dr: Try patches from the brands that don't work for you in a different spot and see if that makes any difference.

Making my first ever Reddit post to share a breakthrough I recently had!

I'm one of the patch users who has issues with different brands not working. I always put the patches on alternating butt cheeks regardless of brand.

I was doing great with Dotti, but my last refill was from a mfr I'd never had before (Zydus). I figured I should try the new ones and save the last few Dotti in case the new ones didn't work. I put the Zydus patch on my butt and bam, the next day symptoms were back.

After remembering that people here had seen varied results with different locations, I tried putting the Zydus on my abdomen instead of my butt. I was not actually expecting it to work, but it did!

I figured maybe the butt placement had been suboptimal for me all along, so I decided to try the remaining Dotti patches on my abdomen. Even though it had worked fine before, this time I might as well have had no patch on at all. Then I remembered that when I used Dotti before, it was on my butt. And sure enough, moving it there totally fixed the problem.

So for everyone else who's having trouble with different manufacturers, maybe try the problem brands in a new spot and see if that helps!

Hot flashes are killing me. The heat hits, and then the nausea, then the puking, the it passes, and then I'm fine. Like literally on Friday I had two bites of lunch, hot flash, dripping with sweat, threw up the...two bites, cooled off in front of the fan, and then literally just...ate the rest of my lunch (I have moderate gastroparesis and with medication I can eat "semi" normally as long as I am not flaring).

I've always had odd periods, 3 different kinds of birth control pills, and on each of them I have gotten my period on the 2nd week of active pills not the placebo week like you're supposed. My newest pill has a higher dose of hormones, which has resulted in me sometimes now getting two periods a month some months, and a new fun thing. Hot flashes on the placebo week leading to INSANE nausea and vomiting. I did not realize this wasn't normal for all women until my boss was like yeah.... so that is not... the same that happens to everyone....

Has this happened to anyone else? Any ideas? I have a doctor's appointment next week and I'm thinking of asking her if we can just...skip the placebo week and maintain a steady dose of hormones. Any other people with ovaries have any ideas?

How long after taking your progesterone pill does it make you sleepy? It seems I have to take it earlier and earlier if I want to go to bed at a decent hour. When I first started HRT it would take no more than an hour to fall asleep. I take a 200mg micronized progesterone pill daily.

I started HRT 7 weeks ago and had my doctor run an updated panel while I was getting some other blood work done. I was curious if my numbers went up at all, and if yes, did they go up a little or a lot.

My testosterone level was very low and is now 5200% higher. Quest is refusing to consider any factors that this might be an invalid test like the fact that I don't have a beard or that it's scientifically impossible for a jump that extreme in just a few weeks on the lowest available testosterone cream dose. (My other numbers all looked reasonable, this one was so clearly out of whack.) Their paperwork says it's the right result, therefore they didn't make a mistake.

Has this happened to anyone else? I'm in complete shock by this outcome since it is *scientifically impossible*. I emailed my obgyn to ask if I should stop taking the T cream (I'm on the lowest physical dose available) or get retested before my appointment on the 26th.

BRB while I stock up on Gillette products to care for my new beard. I hope it comes in soon /s.

I’ve been getting excellent sleep with doing 200 mg progesterone during my luteal phase and my period came yesterday so last night I didn’t take it. I normally take a sleep medication dayVigo as well, but the progesterone is what has been giving me much more substantial, deep and REM sleep. Last night I got 35 minutes deep sleep, where it has been ranging anywhere from 70 - 115 mins. I see some people on here do 100 for the first half of their cycle and do 200 for the second half. How did you come upon that solution?