Menopause and running

151 watchers

runnerbean Nov 2024 6:53pm, 17 Nov 2024 47,335 posts	0 runnerbean I too have mirena coil and gel because utrogestan was nasty. I’d rather stop HRT than have those pills again.
Gymfreak Nov 2024 6:57pm, 17 Nov 2024 9,760 posts	0 Gymfreak Yes I feel like I don’t want to take tonight’s or the next 3. And seems it’s not just me then! I’ve tried the mirena before and it was just as awful so no idea what to do next. Maybe there’s another alternative. Does anyone know if I stop the progesterone tonight as I can’t pollute myself any more if I also need to stop the oestrogen and stop the whole lot till I can speak to a GP? I think I was better on nothing than with this stuff. But the gel is so good!
runnerbean Nov 2024 7:10pm, 17 Nov 2024 47,336 posts	0 runnerbean I was told not to take oestrogen without progesterone as it affects womb lining. Maybe V’rap can give advice.
runnerbean Nov 2024 7:11pm, 17 Nov 2024 47,337 posts	0 runnerbean Can you do an online consult and maybe they ring you. ?
Velociraptor Nov 2024 7:11pm, 17 Nov 2024 72,052 posts	0 Velociraptor There are other progestogens that your GP may be willing to try. The problem with synthetic progestogens for you, @Gymfreak, could be that they're metabolised to oestrogen to some extent and therefore can increase your risk of thrombosis. Vaginal utrogestan is sometimes used in women who can't tolerate other forms of progesterone/progestogens, but it isn't licensed for endometrial protection in women taking oestrogen-containing HRT so your GP might want to refer you to a menopause specialist. As to whether to stop the oestrogen gel if you're not taking the utrogestan, yes, you should. The risk of developing endometrial hyperplasia with two or three months of unopposed oestrogen is tiny, but it isn't zero.
Gymfreak Nov 2024 7:25pm, 17 Nov 2024 9,761 posts	0 Gymfreak That’s very helpful thank you Vrap. Although it sounds like I’ll probably just give it all up. I can’t keep taking this, I’m mentally unstable for at least a week out of 4, and I’m mentally stable all 4 weeks when I’m not on it. Other people must get through life without HRT right?! RB, the appointment in nearly a months time is already a phone consult, can’t see anyone in person unless you’re almost dead, or a child. I’ve never seen anyone in person about HRT at any point
Velociraptor Nov 2024 7:30pm, 17 Nov 2024 72,054 posts	0 Velociraptor Have you had a DEXA scan, Gymfreak? If you've ever been had RED-S or lost your period (I know you've trained harder than almost anyone else in the past) it would be useful information in making the decision about whether or not to forget about HRT.
Meglet Nov 2024 7:36pm, 17 Nov 2024 25,284 posts	0 Meglet That sounds awful GF, I hope you can get some answers soon. I’ve had a couple of messages from my Drs, prompted I think by my HRT anniversary, with online questionnaires and a request for a blood pressure reading, and unbidden they’ve seen me an in-person appt for a HRT review on a day I can actually make!
Gymfreak Nov 2024 7:39pm, 17 Nov 2024 9,762 posts	0 Gymfreak No I’ve never had one. When I was literally on another planet and stupid in the sort of of 2012-14 era, I am almost certain I had RED-S, although it wasn’t really a ‘thing’ then like it is now so I’m self diagnosing it. I’m both mentally and physically very healthy now, other than after a week of utrogestan when I go briefly nuts and other than the fact I get injured from nothing all of the time- I can’t run these days. If my bones are rubbish is it better to take it? Perhaps I should man up for the next 4-5 days and carry on as by the time it comes round to taking it again I’ll have spoken to my GP that day!
Velociraptor Nov 2024 7:41pm, 17 Nov 2024 72,057 posts	0 Velociraptor If you have low bone density it's certainly better to know so that you can discuss treatment options, of which HRT is not the only one.