perimenopause

Posted , 7 users are following.

I am 41 am have been taking HRT since September last year. I have a really bloated tummy, swollen boobs and awful PMT. It goes on for weeks, none of my friends who are the same age as me are going through this so I do not know if this is normal. The doctor suggested I give it a few more months but I am fed up of being a PMT monster for prolonged periods of time. Does anyone else experience this? I also have the marina coil which I think maybe making it worse.

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Sarah

    I also have a Mirena coil and have been on HRT for about 4 months. It does take a little while to settle down but you should be feeling the benefits by now. What HRT are you taking? I take Zumenon (estradiol) tablets. My mood still fluctuates but I'm so much better than I was. There are lots of options with HRT so i would ask to try something different if you still feel awful. Also ask to be referred to a consultant gynaecologist if you haven't seen one. Mine is excellent. If you're in the UK you can ask to be referred out of area as well.

    I hope you sort things out. Life sucks for us ladies at this time of life huh?!

    Take care

    Anita x

    • Posted

      Thanks Anita, I will go back to my usual doctor when she comes back from maternity leave (the doctor I saw recently was new to our surgery) and review HRT. I am on a low dose and I think my symptoms have worsened from the progesterone from the marina coil and the progesterone in the HRT I am taking. I never got  on with the progesterone pill when I was younger either.

      Sarah x

  • Posted

    Hi Sarah

    I'm 44 and in perimenopause. So far I am managing the symptoms without Hrt, for the moment anyway.

    I too had Mirena coil for 1 year and noticed an increase and worsening of symptoms. I had Mirena put in originally low iron levels caused by heavy, clotty periods. Gynae assured me that the tiny amounts of progesterone in the coil do not enter the bloodstream so therefore in theory, I should not have any side-effects. The progesterone is supposed to be released and contained in the uterus affecting and thinning out the lining therefore causing light or no periods.

    HA HA HA? What rubbish. After a year of swollen and sore breasts (after mirena), stomach bloating and mood swings (being really down and being fine one minute and then irritable and weepy the next) I insisted the GP remove it and almost immediately, my swollen breasts shrunk, the stomach bloat went away and my mood improved.

    I then moved Gp's as I wasn't happy with her, and my new fantastic woman GP confirmed that for whatever reason some women do absorb some of the progesterone in mirena through the blood stream causing pms-like symptoms (sore swollen breasts, bloating, mood swings, irritability).

    So before blaming your HRT medication which I can't speak to at all, since I am not on it, consider whether the Mirena may be causing you problems like it did for me. My gp also confirmed Btw that some women who have mirena report zero side effects and it works brilliantly for them. This is true as my sister-in-law has had her mirena for 5 years and zero side effects for her.

    Good luck!

    Sydneymum

    • Posted

      This makes do much sense. I did have the symptoms before the coil and HRT and the physical symptoms did ease. My mood since the extra added hormones has altered a great deal - I used to be a relaxed and cheerful and now I am grumpy, irratable and find it difficult to snap out of it.  Bloating and breast swelling have returned with a vegence and I am worse off then when I started treatment. I am going to go back to the doctors and see if I can be either reffered to a gynochologist and/or my usual doctor (who is on maternity leave but should be back soon). Many thanks for you response.....at least I can comfort myself that I am not going mad....the doctor I saw was most invalidating.

      Sarah x

  • Posted

    I am not on HRT but have all of these symptoms.  It changes your whole outlook on life.  It's so uncomfortable and discourages me from going out as much as I used too.  I think it's hormonal.  You are young to be going through perimenopause but it does happen.  I know some in their late 30's who went through it.  Can you retest your hormone levels and make adjustments?  I don't have a marina coil but I remember the gyno telling me the marina only affects the uterus.  He said it doesn't affect the rest of the body. 
    • Posted

      Laura,

      You bring up a very good point. It really pays to have your hormone levels tested occasionally, as our bodies do change, therefore our needs will change and meds need to be adjusted accordingly.

      While the blood tests aren't perfect, they can give an idea of what is going on, along with coorelating our symptoms. What might work a year ago, may not apply today, as our bodies are changing.

      Finally within the past year or so, I was able to find a good doctor who knows how to do it, and overall life has been much improved. 

      Hope Sarah and all have success in getting this all sorted out.

      Annie xx

    • Posted

      Thanks Annie,

      I'm glad you found a good doctor and you've improved.  That is ecouraging to know for those of us who are just entering this confusing stage of life with all of the scary symptoms.  Thanks again :-)

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