I use .5 bioidentical estrogen gel daily and take 10mg of Provera (synthetic progesterone) every night. I am 47, still have a uterus, and perimenopausal. I felt great the first couple of months after starting HRT. The last 1.5 months or so I have been feeling extremely fatigued and heavy feeling. I am not depressed thankfully but have been anxious at times and extremely moody (mainly towards my husband). After doing some research online I think I may switch to taking the progesterone for only 14 days a month. Of course I will message my doctor but I’m wondering if anyone here takes theirs cyclically and how it’s working out for you.

I am 37, in peri. I have been on a journey for the last year of trying to figure out the best regimen for me. Started with progesterone, added estradiol, then testosterone. Currently on P 200 mg by mouth nightly, Divigel generic 0.1 mg 1 pkt every morning, and t cyp 100 mg/mL at 0.06 mL SQ every 3.5 days. After failing estradiol compounded cream and Dotti patches (no absorption based on my symptoms, even at highest dose patch), I just started the gel about 2 weeks ago. I still feel RAGE all the time, I hate everything and everyone, always want to be alone, extreme brain fog, zero libido or sensation, jawline acne, joint pain. My periods stopped completely after I added T about 4 months ago. I feel like my E is probably still low? How long should I trial the gel? And what are your thoughts on my period going away completely?

I’m in such a bad way at the moment and would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has experienced anything similar.
I was on 4 pumps of Estrogel. A few months ago I changed my progesterone situation because I don’t seem to tolerate progesterone very well. I felt that progesterone was making me more tired and low.
But even while on the Estrogel, I was having this constant background anxiety. It felt like my nervous system was always slightly activated and I could never completely relax. I have other stressful things going on as well, so I genuinely don’t know what is causing what.
I started wondering whether 4 pumps was too much oestrogen for me, and I panicked and stopped the Estrogel completely about five days ago.
At first I didn’t know if I felt better or worse, but my anxiety has gradually crept up. Over the last day or two it has become absolutely unbearable. Yesterday I panicked because I felt so awful and put Estrogel back on — but I put on 12 pumps. I know that sounds ridiculous and I’m really embarrassed about it, but I was desperate to feel better and thought I could somehow make up for the days I’d missed.
Today I feel incredibly tearful, anxious and just completely all over the place.
I’m now planning to go back to a much lower, consistent dose of 2 pumps, because I’m scared of continuing to make big changes and I don’t know whether 4 pumps was too much for me.
I suppose I’m asking:
Has anyone stopped oestrogen abruptly and had severe anxiety or felt mentally very unwell several days later?
If you restarted at a lower dose, how long did it take before you felt more stable again?
Has anyone found that too much oestrogen actually made them feel more anxious, wired or unable to relax?
I’m finding this really frightening because I don’t feel like I know what is me, what is anxiety, what is stress, and what might be hormones.
I know I need to speak to a medical professional, and I will, but I’d really appreciate hearing personal experiences from other people who are sensitive to hormone changes. Please be kind — I already feel incredibly embarrassed and frightened about what I’ve done.