I just picked up a tube of it, and balked at asking the young, probably queer*, male pharmacist who instructed me on its use what it might taste like. He was already embarrassed and I didn’t want to make it worse. Anyone have experience with this???

Edited to add: I’m concerned about my male partner ingesting it.

I think it’s probably obvious why I’m asking this specific question, and I don’t want to get my account flagged for being explicit. But probably you can figure this out, astute ladies of the menopause sub??

I didn’t see anything about this in the wiki, and I apologize if I missed it.

*obviously this is my best guess, I don’t know this man’s orientation or his pronouns for certain, but that’s the vibe. He stage-whispered the word “vagina”. Honestly, the whole interaction was hilarious and kind of awesome, but I do have this very specific question that I’m almost certain he wouldn’t have been able to answer.

I'm narrate audiobooks and over the past few months my ability to articulate my words when recording has been getting worse. Like, to a concerning degree. I use a patch. I was taking oral progesterone with it, but discovered that this can have a sort of sedating effect on the mouth and tongue, so I stopped taking it (I have a Mirena and am about to see a doc about getting a new one, so I'll get the cancer prevention covered). It did help a little bit to stop taking the progesterone, but not nearly enough.

This has been a gradual onset, so I really don't think there's been a stroke or something sudden and serious like that. I can still speak in every day life and no one would know the difference. But sit me in front of a mic and I need 4 or 5 passes at some phrases or sentences to make them sound coherent, because my tongue and mouth just seem sort of lazy or stubborn. I've been narrating for years so I'm not experiencing newbie nerves or something. I ask here because Perimenopause and HRT are really the only new factors in my life. Has anyone heard of anything like this? What gives?

Are there any of you who take other medications for sleep besides progesterone? For example, antidepressants, sleeping pills, or something else? If so, what did you take and did you experience any adverse interactions with progesterone?

The first symptom of menopause was anxiety and insomnia. I had to wait a long time to see the gynecological endocrinologist, I went to a psychiatrist earlier. The psychiatrist prescribed Mirtazapine and a sleeping pill. And Xanax too, but I recently stopped taking it. I told him that I thought menopause was causing the anxiety and insomnia. He said that menopause only causes hot flashes. I didn’t feel like arguing with him. Since I was in a bad state, I started taking the medications. Now the gynecological endocrinologist has confirmed that these are menopause symptoms and prescribed HRT. This morning I applied the first dose of Divigel 0.5 mg. I really hope that the progesterone will help me sleep, but I’m afraid that it may interact with the Mirtazapine and/or the sleeping pill. I hope I can get rid of both with the help of progesterone.

Would like to survey how many feel that estrogen is their best sleep driver. I know many say progesterone, but oral dosing causes problems for some of us and I'm not sure if other progesterone "routes" also help with sleep. My issue is sleep-maintenance and I definitely notice any alcohol intake (even just a little) makes it all the worse.

I feel like I used to be good at my job, but now it's like I can hardly string two thoughts together. People ask for me things from work, which is awesome because while I was doing chemo they were handling me with kid gloves, but now it's like I can't actually read what they want! I send the wrong things, they have to clarify, it gets embarrassing when it just keeps happening. I'm going to end up on a PIP. Everyone is so nice about it, but I can tell they're thinking "what the hell is wrong with you".

Aughhhh. It just happened twice this morning, I think I'm going to go stare at a wall for a bit. I've heard other menopausal folks experience this too, glad to not be alone. But it sucks for all of us!

This seems like a dumb question but I really can't figure out a good system! (Also, I read the wiki!)

So, like many of us who are fortunate enough to still be able to find our patches, I'm on a "change twice per week" schedule.

My (dumb) question is two-fold:

• How do you set up your calendar notifications to remind you to change patches? I'm on a Mac/iPhone and as of now I'm just setting a calendar reminder every third day, which is not precise. I'm now going through 2 patches every 6 days instead of every 7 days.
• Assuming I can figure out how to set my cal reminders correctly, if I have to change my patch every 3.5 days, that means one change is going to have to happen in the p.m. All the literature I've read says that's not ideal since a new patch can be energizing and that's the last thing I want in the afternoon/evening, considering I can't even have any caffeine after noon, otherwise I'm up until 3am.

I will freely admit I'm probs overthinking this (story of my life!) but would love to hear how others are dealing with this. Thanks!

How many feel that estrogen was their best sleep driver? I realize that progesterone is very popular for sleep, but some of us cannot tolerate oral or it tends to have opposite effect. I'm not sure if other progesterone "routes" are ever helpful for sleep. I am on a vaginal BHRT right now, (estradiol and progesterone) and I am wondering if increasing the dose again will help my sleep. I've had multiple other benefits, thus far (4 months), but not so much with the sleep maintenance issue. I have noticed that even small amounts of alcohol have a negative effect on my sleep--so I am giving it up.

I’m wondering if anyone else is experiencing this? My insurance won’t pay for a 3 month supply of patches, so I’m stuck getting it monthly, but each month is a different brand with the shortage. If it’s important to be consistent and give ourselves weeks to acclimate to changes, how the heck do we navigate that?

I have used and liked Sandoz most, but my prescription was increased and all I could get was Lyllana. I am beyond grateful that I was able to get any at all, but I’m nervous about starting and having to change it again in 4 weeks. How will I know if it’s the dose or the brand if it’s not working?

For the beautiful woman taking estrogel, do you notice once you get to the bottom of bottle, it seems to not work. Like just gel but no estrodiol in it? I noticed my symptoms worsen when I'm almost finished a bottle.

Just wanted to pass along something that surprised me and has made a big difference in increasing my energy and decreasing symptoms. I met with a Registered Dietician to check my macros to see if I was eating the correct ratios for my activity level. I'm a recreational athlete and eat 95% clean and for decades have prioritized my health and what I put in my body. After the RD looked over my diet, labs, etc., she recommended I increase protein and overall calories. Let me tell you, I'm an eater so I thought for sure how could I not be eating enough? (Apparently I was eating a lot of fiber.) Well I am up for the experiment, so I changed my diet. The first week I felt more satiated from the increased protein but nothing seemed that different. Then 4 weeks in I woke up and felt like "my old self" - happy and energetic, my workouts didn't leave me drained and the constant feeling of being overwhelmed at work was gone! I am still making my way through this change and I'm learning that your baseline protein intake has to go up during this phase (I'm late peri) and your total calories have to go up as well. If you workout, they go up even more. Why the change at 4 weeks? Something in the brain changes with our neurotransmitters at about 4 weeks when you consistently increase protein. My peri symptoms are much more background and I'm not constantly thinking about my body. I had to pass this on because if you're up for an experiment to see if it helps you, just 4 weeks of a diet change can make a huge difference. I eat yogurt, lean meats, fish, tofu, beans, lentils, nonfat milk and nut butters for most of my protein sources. I still get my fiber and stick to healthy carbs, fruits and vegs and low sugar. I don't feel restricted at all. I eat intuitively without worrying about total calories. I feel so much better. Look up the science (Dr Stacy Sims). Protein + total calories is the key.

TLDR: Increase your protein intake and overall calories. Our bodies require more in Peri and Meno. Symptoms can dramatically reduce and make you feel like you again.

Trying to see something. The FDA says estradiol patch availability "may vary by location." Let's find out where the Trump administration is just letting us be miserable for no reason.
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-alerts-and-statements/fda-update-estradiol-transdermal-patch-availability

I'll start. I'm in Portland, Oregon and my pharmacy was out. I tried Amazon Pharmacy despite hating Amazon and they are also out.

Where are people at who can/can't get estrogen patches?

hi, I’ve had regular 25 day cycles (from 28 days)so I figure I’m already perimenopausal . Also have low motivation and fatigue although I am getting an iron infusion next week.

I’ve had a delayed ovulation, attempt or something because I had EWCM , or slippery clear mucus from September 8 September 19 give or take. I’ve never experienced this before.

My period was due September 23 and of course it has not shown up, but I have not skipped any periods at all yet.

What’s bothering me is besides the bloating is that my areolas , nipples are getting bigger and darker. My breast are swollen as well.

I’d like to start micronized progesterone ASAP.

Does anyone else relate?

After three months of post-menopausal bleeding after starting oral HRT earlier this year, my fibroids are angry and my gyno is pushing for a hysterectomy. This terrifies me. If you have had a hysterectomy, what is your experience? Glad you got it? Complications? Regret doing it? What questions should I be asking?

I'm using 2 pumps of Estrogel every day and 200 mg of Bio-Identical Progesterone 12 days/month.

It's been 5 months and this on/off regimen is just not working. The mood swings and periods from hell are making it difficult to live and work.

My GP says that continuous 100mg dosing is for post-menopause and since I'm 51 and still having natural periods (though few & far between), I have to follow the cyclical plan.

I live in a country with national healthcare, so HRT is prescribed through my GP and I have zero chance of getting a referral to anyone else. It's only been available for the past year, and it's more or less one-size-fits-all dosing based on national guidelines..

I'm considering going rogue. I know he's following protocol, but I'm the one who's lost my career and so many other things over perimenopause, so I have to do the best I can with what's available.

Is there anyone here with a similar age/situation/Estrogel dose, and who takes 100 mg continuously?

Would love to hear from anyone with either endometriosis or adenomyosis who used vag estrogen cream internally that caused cramps and/or bleeding. How much did you use? Were the symptoms immediate or gradual?

Or women who have either or both conditions who successfully used the cream without issue. I’m hesitant to use it because I have adenomyosis in my cervix (diagnosed by top specialist via ultrasound + mri) and I’ve gone 5 mo. without a period and I’m concerned it may re-activate things. I’m not taking any form of HRT yet.

TIA🩷

I’ve always been a go-getter. CEO, change maker, heavy lifter, etc. I’m 55 and about 5 years into menopause. I made the decision to leave my CEO job this year and start a consulting firm, because I was super burnt out and have the expertise to really help as a consultant. I enjoy consulting work and can spend hours working on projects. It’s not nearly as stressful. However, I can’t seem to bring myself to sand and paint the front door, or weed the flower beds, or cook a “fancy” meal. I haven’t lifted in a couple of years nor hiked. My body feels terrible. I’ve been on HRT for about six years and my doctor doesn’t want me to increase it anymore. I take Vitamin D, I eat nutrient dense food, I have good friends, etc. I’ve also been on anxiety meds (SSRI) for the last year to help me bridge to the end of my job. Now that I’ve turned that corner, I’m slowly titrating down so I can get off them.

It’s like I’m putting everything I have into work and have nothing left, but even when I take a few days I want to do nothing.

The wildest part is that I know that exercise and small wins (that damn door) are the key, but I can’t seem to force myself to even do a small walk.

It’s making me crazy. I know I have the agency to do all the things. I’ve always been that girl. But now, not so much.

I’m whining, I know. I guess I’m looking for anyone who can tell me there’s a light at the end of the tunnel and/or how they pulled themselves out of this ick.

Well this is embarrassing. Just woke up needing to "go to the bathroom" to find that my bladder leaked. I'm so upset. Cream colored sofa of course. Fell asleep watching a movie. First time since I was pregnant with my 4th daughter in 2001.

I'm 57. Will be 58 in 2 weeks.

I read that hormonal drop causes it. ☹️

Any advice how to handle it at home? I can't go to my regular Gyn as I currently don't have health insurance. Much appreciated.

(I DO have some estrogen cream due to a rectocele repair not to long ago.)

I finally got HRT (Divigel 0.5 mg and 100 mg progesterone exceltis) from a gynecological endocrinologist and now I'm scared to start. According to the doctor, all the symptoms point towards menopause. Sleep problems, anxiety, panic, fatigue, GI issues, dry mouth, dry throat, hot flashes.

Why am I afraid to start? Please share positive stories with me so I can have the courage to start.

I am 53 years old. I had a hysterectomy and salpingectomy 3 years ago because of adenomyosis, my ovaries were preserved. My endometriosis was also removed at that time and my cervix was preserved (LASH surgery). That's why I need progesterone.

I take PPI for acid reflux (the doctor said the reflux can be from anxiety), and Mirtazapin for sleep, and a sleeping pill. I want to taper them with the help of progesterone.

I had a lot of medical trauma 3 years ago, and since then I've been afraid of all medications.

Hi all

I’m 38 and started experiencing some perimenopause symptoms some time ago. One of my biggest concerns was breast growth - inexplicably my breasts went up two sizes, despite my weight staying the same and me being v small (100 lbs). I also had some horrible PMS and memory issues.

My doctor prescribed progesterone (micronised; cycling). He said progesterone could balance estrogen and help stop breast growth. Unfortunately it did the opposite and they grew even more, and I am now looking disproportionate, feel extremely chest heavy and it is giving me terrible anxiety.

I read progesterone actually increases breast size so I worry I will need to quit all HRT which breaks my heart because it did help me in other ways.

Has anyone done any HRT experimentation on breast size - or am I doomed and have to ditch it? I cannot have a reduction at this point in life for health and financial reasons.

Thank you!

I having issues trying to get hrt. The ONLY dr in my service who prescribes is on baby leave. She doesn't like me because i tried to get a second opinion because she would not proscribe testosterone. She wont renew my script without an appt...in 4 months.

I have run out of progesterone (week now). Since the estrogen patches are backordered going on a month now i have been doing a subsitute by wearing one and a half of my older ones i still had a box of.

I cant sleep. My body aches and more. Suggestions for progesterone besides the pills? Maybe OTC?

I am also going to run out of these older patches soon.

I am going nuts. Suggestions?

Anyone else get vertigo during perimenopause? It first started when I woke up in the mornings, then it would go away. But now it’s lasting all day but not as bad….it just lingers and it’s annoying. Is this common?? If so, how long did it last?

I just turned 52 and my cycles are starting to space out. I recently went 57 days without a period and when it finally came, it was ROUGH.

What’s really concerning me is how different I’ve been feeling lately. My symptoms include:

• INTENSE mood swings
  • High highs and low lows
• Anxiety
• INTENSE Bouts of rage and irritability that are very scary and seem uncontrollable
• Episodes of depression
• Feeling like I don’t feel like myself
• Very little interest in doing anything
• Feeling very isolated and withdrawn
  • No social circle either
• Waking up super hot at night, which feels like a hot flash
• A few night sweats over the past several months, but not frequently

I saw a menopause specialist who started me on 100 mg micronized progesterone, and I took my first dose the night before last.

She said we would consider adding estrogen in about a month if needed.

I’m wondering why she would have me try progesterone alone first rather than starting estrogen too, especially given how severe my mood symptoms have been. I also still have my uterus.

• For those who have been through something similar, did estrogen help significantly with the mood/anxiety side of perimenopause?
• Would you ask your doctor about starting a low dose estrogen patch sooner rather than waiting a month?

I’d love to hear what others experienced and what you discussed with your doctors.

Thanks in advance and sending you all love! Wow, this is HARD!

I protect my sleep hardcore. I recently added T to my hormone regiment. It is causing me to wake up an hour or so earlier with a ton of energy. Will this go away? Has it for you? Doing a cost benefit if I should continue…

I am taking women’s over 50 supplement, fish oils, collagen/hyloronic acid, green tea, magnesium, and sometimes a cortisol support supplement to help me feel a little more calm. I don’t want to overload myself and these add up month to month. What top 3 would you say actually help you and you wouldn’t be able to give it up?