Doc wants me on HRT

[confused533]

Got my blood results back...can't remember the # for FSH but it was in the menopause range and estradiol was<32.  I will be 43 in the spring.  My periods have been erratic since I got it back after my sons birth (when he was 15/16 mos. old, he's now almost 6).  The day I got the blood drawn I was bleeding, after a 90 day cycle.  
I don't have a LOT of symptoms, but I am bothered by a few things.  Absolutely no sex drive.  Weight gain, difficulty concentrating, foggy thinking, tired during the day, can't sleep at night.
The other problem with me is that I have a High ANA titre, which can be predictive of auto-immune problems.  I've had anti-thyroid anti-bodies before, but they went away.
At first, my ob-gyn wanted me to go on HRT after a year with no periods, citing concern about bone loss.  She said I need to be especially careful with my bones, as I may develeop RA in the future.  As we discussed my symptoms further, and she heard about my absent libido, she said I could go ahead and start tomorrow!!  The libido is a problem for me, but I don't want to start medicine if it's not necessary.  Especially since my symptoms aren't that bad.  Yet I don't want to risk bone loss, either.

Any suggestions?  If I do go on HRT, she recommended Anglique as being especially good for libido problems.  What about patch vs. pill?  If I go on HRT should I expect weight gain?

Thank you!!!

[njw753]

Hi,

I have an autoimmune disease called Ankylosing Spondylitis.  I control that with Enbrel injections and methotrexate.  I have a low thyroid and treat that with medication.   I am also in surgical menopause.   For that, I use bioidentical hormone pellets of estrogen and testosterone without any problems. They are implanted under the skin in my hip every 3-4 months.   They made a drastic difference in my life for the better concerning menupause symptons and libido.

[mxdad]

The problem with injections are they can be painful, give mega does all at one time and then runs out.  Big changes in hormone levels can cause migraines.  Some OBGYNS will use a low does estrogen/androgens for symptoms like yours to help with libido.  It does not have an indication for this, but it works for many patients.  A example of this product would be Estratest H.S  This will also help with bone loss as well.  

[jml1986]

If I were you and you are not sure HRT is for you, I would get a second opinion. I choose to take the injections just when I need them instead of being put on a medication that stay in your system all the time. I can say that I have not had any problem at all. The bonus is that it increases your sex drive. I think it is just whichever you think will work for you. I take alot of other medications and I did not to take anymore pills, and I am allergic to adhesive so the patch was out. I think mentally, I feel like I have more control what medication goes in my body by using the injections.