HRT

[hashi]

This is for anyone who has or is going off HRT. I am slowly going off it and I'm having problems sleeping. I was just wondering if anyone else is having this problem.I toss and turn most of the night. It makes for a very long night. any input would be appreciated ladies. Thanks!

[hashi]

The hot flashes I'm having are not like they were when I was going through menopause. My face doesn't get red, but I feel warm around the neck area and a little higher up but not as before. could it be my thyroid. I have hashimoto disease and am not on any meds because doc says my levels are fine.anyone else having this kind of problem? thanks

[hashi]

I do take it at bedtime. I am decreasing each dose every month. I do have the odd hot flash, but the sleeping is the main problem so far. I'll address the hot flashes some how when they become bothersome, which was the only problem I had when my ex doc put me on HRT.  thanks

[Machelle Seibel, MD]

Sleep problems while going off HRT are very common.  HRT helps the quality of sleep and going off of HRT makes it very difficult for most women to sleep well. Some of it is due to actual sleep quality.  Some of the reduced sleep is also due to being woken up more because of going to the bathroom or more frequent hot flashes.  

Sometimes it is necessary to temporarily increase the dose for a few days and reduce it again even more slowly. It is also helpful to take the dose at bedtime rather than in the morning.  That keeps the blood level higher level while sleeping and helps reduce the sleep problems.
Machelle M. Seibel, MD