Question 19 - HRT And Persistent Symptoms

Dr N

I HAVE BEEN READING EVERYTHING I CAN GET MY HANDS ON , FINDING ALL KINDS OF INFORMATION ON THE WEB AND I AM NOW MORE CONFUSED THAN EVER . I AM ON PREMARIN , 9 MG. I AM HAVING THE WORST HOT FLASHES, I HAVE NOT HAD A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP SINCE THE HYSTERECTOMY 4 MONTHS AGO. I HAVE HEADACHES AND I AM JUST SO TIRED. MY GYN I DO NOT THINK, UNDERSTANDS ANY OF THIS. SHOULD I BE TAKING ANYTHING ELSE? I WAS JUST READING ABOUT PROGESTERONE CREAM, WILL THAT HELP ME?

Reply:

Hi,

I'm sorry you are so uncomfortable.

I don't think an oral form of HRT is going to be effective for you. Unfortunately, you're not alone, many woman have symptoms unresponsive to oral estrogen preparations. You need to speak to your Dr about switching to an alternate route of administration, such as transdermal. sublingual or subcutaneous implants. If all else fails, subcutaneous implants are almost always effective. If you have not already, read the sections of the web site, Menopausal Symptoms, Hysterectomy and all the sections that deal with HRT. This will provide you with additional information about this.

If your Dr is not aware that many women do not respond to orally administered estrogen, and/or is not familiar with the range of HRT options available, you will need to find a physician who is.

I don't think that progesterone cream will be of any help.

You need to do something, as you are just too uncomfortable.

Let me know what and how you do.

Dr N