Just screaming into the void. I’m not blaming anyone (husband), but my fresh box of estrogen patches has disappeared from the dining table. I was supposed to pop on a fresh patch this morning. My pharmacy is only offering one box at a time. And it’s Sunday. I am staring down the barrel of a month with no patches. Calling my doctor in the morning. Thinking of murdering people and quitting my job and throwing things out the window. Thanks for listening!

October 18 is World Menopause Day! I just learnt - glad to see a lot of talk and discussions happening around it. My social media feed is seeing a lot of stories on it.
But more awareness and more science needed. But this is a good start!

I have been on HRT for one year. It’s been great for me. No complaints. Sleep well. I didn’t have any other symptoms to begin with . My bone density test was good shortly after starting HRT. Will retest in a couple of yrs.

I would like to hear about women w longer term experience.

Did some of you stop after a few years bc HRT got y over the hump?

When I tried to research log term use one piece of research said up to 5 yrs is safe. But fuzzy beyond that.

Edit: by hump I mean the worst symptoms for some women. For me insomnia drove me to it.

I do know healthy happy older women who never took HRT and are in their late 80s early 90s.

Thads why I am asking

I (62) had a DXA at the end of July. It shows I’ve lost lean mass yet I’ve been lifting weights 3 x a week and cycling for cardio the past year. I was overweight 2y ago at 74.4kg and I’m now 66 kg with a BMI of 24 but it’s saying most the weight gone is muscle rather than fat.fat then was 24.2kg and now it’s 21.4kg. Lean mass + bone was 49.3 now it’s 43.4kg.
I’m just as strong maybe stronger.
I feel down about it you know. Like I worked so hard and was so pleased to be 66kg with a smaller waist.
My waist went from 83.5cm to 77cm.
That feeling of happy expectation when you’ve been working so hard to gain muscle and you go
To get measured and find you didn’t :(
What should I have done? I’m maintaining this weight 3 months so far.
Menopause is awful but this?! I’m using HRT patches and oral micronised progesterone.
And yes I’ve been eating 100-110g protein daily from lean chicken, beef and whey protein and beans and Greek yoghurt and cottage cheese

I don’t really have a question, just need to vent, I’m frustrated.

Before starting HRT I was in a very bad place mood wise. I had already been taking wellbutrine for years for anxiety but felt it wasn’t working anymore and had additional mood problems that I hadn’t experienced before (increased anxiety, depression-thought I had the winter blues for 3 years, SI, rage, awful brain fog and absolutely no motivation for anything).

I really thought it was the wellbutrine not working. I didn’t realize I was in peri. I didn’t know that peri could impact my mental health. Saw a meno specialist, started HRT. It helped everything except the motivation aspect which I was ok with because it fixed everything else.

I used to walk every day, did weight training, 2L of water a day, kept busy with hobbies. Now I have the energy for it but have absolutely no desire to go for walks, workout, do any hobbies. It’s been a year since I last did weights and I’ve only been on a few walks. My BMI is about 23 but a dexa scan says 40% body fat which is defined as being obese.

Not that I enjoyed it before but my husband has taken to doing all the laundry now because I am not doing any and house cleaning is only done when absolutely necessary (people coming over). No more regular grocery shopping. There’s days I don’t even have the motivation for work so I’m idly sitting at my computer all day. I’m not even remotely close to getting my daily quota of water intake, some days I go without.

I know all the tips and tricks to get moving, I know what needs to be done but I just don’t care yet am disgusted with myself every evening for all the things I didn’t do that day. And every evening I tell myself I will do better tomorrow but I don’t.

I kept thinking the hrt just needed more time for the motivation to kick in, didn’t see a problem with the dose as it fixed everything else except the motivation, but I’ve been on it for 6 months, I just recently increased my estrogen to .5, it’s only been 3 weeks but I’m starting to think this particular problem won’t be solved with hrt. I will of course stay on it for everything else it fixed. And the mood issues it fixed were more important than having motivation.

But I also don’t want to necessarily add more mental health meds to my regimen (I’m not in the mood for powering through potential side effects) or see the slow blink look on my dr’s face when I try to explain what the problem is. Our appointments are always so fast paced I struggle to explain myself and feel like an airhead.

But the discussion needs to be had with the doc, I will make an appointment.

Thanks for letting me vent.

So I'm pretty newly post menopausal (June 21 was my 12 months). I had admittedly not been to the gyn in way too long, so when I noticed some light pink spotting for about 1/2 a day in September, I found a hcp and made the first appointment I could. She is lovely and so kind. Did the pelvic and Pap, etc. - saw some yeast-looking discharge as well as a really thinned, raw irritated spot right at my entrance. Said cervix looked good. Pap (which was normal) confirmed yeast, so she called me in two fluconazole pills. Did not spot any after the pap, even though she said I might. But about 5 days later I start with the light pink again. I notified her. She said let's treat for the yeast and then once that clears see how it is going. I'll admit that when I pee, I tend to take the toilet paper back there and check for spotting. Which I know isn't good. So now for about five days I've been having this intermittent spotting. It is only when I wipe. None in the toilet, none of my panties, etc. No cramping or anything. I even had my husband look with a flashlight (Lol) a few days ago and he could definitely see the abraded spot.

I have a telehealth appointment Wednesday to discuss bloodwork that I had done, possible estrogen cream, and the status of my spotting.

Has anyone had a story where their spotting truly did get better after treating yeast/atrophy? I know all the ins and outs and have already addressed possible next steps if this doesn't clear it up, as in ultrasound and biopsy. I think I definitely want at least an ultrasound if I decide to try that cream because from reading posts here I've seen others say that it can also cause spotting sometimes, and I think that will drive me crazy.

So hard to be a woman, I swear!!!

I guess I'm just looking for similar experiences. The stats say the largest cause of post-menopausal bleeding is GSM/atrophy, so I know there must be some stories out there!

I took a hiatus from the Vagifem for 2 months, was using the inserts instead. Well, I got a renewed script for the Vagifem applied it on Friday and all hell broke loose. My vagina feels swollen and the insides feel like I'm cramping. I already tried aloe vera and salve - nothing is moving this. What to do?

https://exchange.ashhra.org/blogs/ashhra-exchange/2026/10/13/menopause-is-a-workforce-system-failure

Hi all! I’m hoping one of you may have some perspective or advice for me as I weave my way through complicated health stuff. 3 years ago I had breast cancer- a very, very rare type of triple negative that is thankfully not aggressive. I had two surgeries to remove the cancer and no chemo or radiation. I have a gene mutation that is also pretty rare that increases my risk of ovarian and breast cancers. My OB has had me on hormonal BC to make my ovaries quiet, treat my peri symptoms, and prevent pregnancy. So now we are at a point where guidelines for my gene mutation direct me to get my ovaries and tubes out ASAP- I just turned 46. My OB agrees that I should get HRT after surgery given my cancer profile vs quality of life.

Here’s where I start getting tangled up in my thought process. I could get the BSO alone and take combination HRT. Or I could get my uterus out as well (I have several small/medium fibroids and history of abnormal paps) and do estrogen alone. Obviously, I’d love to keep my organs, but I would also love to reduce my risk for any cancers, but especially a recurrence of BC. I know synthetic progestins have the higher risk than progesterone, but some research seemed to show that estrogen alone was less risky, so I am very conflicted. The idea of not having to worry about my uterus sounds good, but I’m terrified of the recovery and change to my experience of sex. I have a very active and very fulfilling sex life that I really don’t want to sabotage. I am an active person and have a job that requires a lot of movement, bending, and standing for hours, and that doesn’t give a lot of paid leave. So I’m looking at surgery at the end of December with 3-4 weeks off of work.

If anyone has any advice or personal experience similar to mine, I just feel lost and overwhelmed and deeply sad that i have to make these choices.

Over 60 here and would really like to start resistance training, but I'm still working full time and going to a gym after a full day of work is just not happening. I am much better at finding time to work out at home, and I don't mind investing a bit in weights or other equipment if it means I can do that. But I need structure and I've been wondering about these apps like Over Fifty Fitness. Has anyone used an app like that for training? Do you have any recommendations or cautions?

I’m having a tummy tuck in just over 3 months, and I’m really struggling with my HRT at the moment. 😪

I’m currently using the oestrogen spray. I’ve also tried patches and gel, and out of all three, the spray is definitely the best for my mental health. However, physically, I feel so much worse on it.

I’m extremely bloated, have a lot of trapped gas, feel swollen internally, and I’m not going to the toilet as often as I should. It feels as though my digestive system has slowed right down, and I’m retaining so much water. My stomach feels constantly swollen, and I’m getting really worried because I need to get this under control before my surgery.

My tummy tuck is exactly 3 months tomorrow, and I’m scared that if I’m this bloated and swollen, it could affect my surgery or my results. I desperately want to get my body feeling normal again and reduce the bloating and swelling before then.

I have a Mirena coil because I’m extremely sensitive to progesterone. I’ve been wondering whether adding vaginal progesterone might help, but I’m still sensitive to it, even when I take it vaginally, so I’m worried about making myself feel worse mentally and physically.

I honestly don’t know what to do for the best. Do I go back to the oestrogen gel, even though it gives me terrible anxiety, or do I stick with the spray because it’s better for my mental health, despite how awful I feel physically on it?

I feel so stuck between the two, and it’s affecting my quality of life so much. I really need some advice on what might be causing these symptoms and how I can get my hormones, bloating and digestion under control before my tummy tuck. ❤️

How often are you supposed to apply it at first?

I am nearly 5 years post-meno (nearly 47, so was early for me). I felt awful and HRT (.075 estrogen patch, 200mg progesterone, vaginal estrogen) made me feel human again. (I also take a little testosterone, Androgel, but don't take much/often as I was noticing hair loss). I sleep well, my heart palpitations and joint pain are gone, I've lost weight and my blood pressure has stabilized, and I don't feel stupid (usually) and feel like I can keep doing my job.

The only annoying thing is that I keep having bleeding, ever since starting HRT 3 years ago. Every 4-6 weeks, like a light period. Ultrasounds showed 4-5mm uterine lining. A biopsy was normal. At a hysteroscopy in June, a small polyp was found and removed. Since that removal, the bleeding is lighter and shorter, but still present.

I'm just really not sure what to do now. I would do pretty much anything not to have my HRT taken away for this. I know I could be a little more consistent with my patch replacement times--it's always Wednesday night and Sunday morning, but I could set my clock and make sure I'm not a few hours different each week.

I had a phone consultation and a few things were suggested:

1) having a Mirena placed. I'm not completely against it, but have heard horror stories. I would also want to stay on at least 100mg of oral progesterone for the sleep benefits.

2) switching to synthetic progestin. I don't think this will work. I was actually on Duphaston before going on Utrogestan, and was still bleeding.

What else makes sense to try? Increasing to 300mg progesterone (kind of worried I'd be so conked out asleep I wouldn't wake up for a fire though)? Or going down to .050 estrogen? Or both? (My hormone balance seems so perfect right now, though...)

I don't know if vaginal progesterone would be an option that would help. And also wondering about a D&C/ablation.

Thanks for your ideas.

I’ve been in menopause since 2017 and have been using compounded estrogen vaginal cream and progesterone capsules prescribed by a hormone doctor, compounded in a pharmacy, as a cash patient. Lately, I’ve been experiencing intermittent breast tenderness and spotting. An ultrasound revealed that the thickness of my endometrial lining is 5.5. I consulted a gynecologist, who scolded me for using unapproved FDA creams and performed a biopsy. I’m currently waiting for the results.

My question is, should I switch to the estrogen patch and Prometrium prescribed by the gynecologist instead of the compounded creams I’m currently taking? I’d like to switch because I won’t be a cash patient for the consultation anymore, and the compounded cream and capsules. However, I’m concerned about whether the patch and Prometrium will be effective or if they might cause any adverse effects.

For nine years, I’ve been managing my hot flashes with the current medication, but if this is contributing to the thickening of my uterus lining, I’d like to switch to the patch and Prometrium. I think the compounded hrt are biodentical and the meds are not. Sorry for the long post. I just don’t know what to do.

I use HRT and have a hysteroscopy scheduled for November for bleeding.

I use an estrogen patch once a week. I change it on Saturday. (I take oral progesterone 200 daily)

I had to remove my estrogen patch midweek for a medical test. Do I replace it right away or wait until Saturday?