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After bleeding erratically for 3 months, after a 1.5 years on continuous HRT, my doctor at the women's clinic told me I needed an ultrasound and uterine biopsy.

I had the pelvic and transvaginal ultrasound last week and then the biopsy today.

After reading on here about uterine biopsies and watching a few scary Tik Toks, I knew this would not be a peasant procedure. For reference, I've had a colposcopy with cervical biopsy in the past, and given birth twice: C-section and VBAC. I'm anxious, a redhead (low pain threshold) and a big wimp.

I knew it would be painful and as I'm an anxious person, I asked for whatever I could have to make it easier. I took 2 extra strength ibuprofen (Advil), one extra strength Acetaminophen (Tylenol) an hour before the procedure, and then had Penthrax (Green Whistle) during the procedure.

I started the Penthrax 5-10 minutes before the procedure. It tasted like paint thinner (ugh) but really calmed me. It made me feel high... Like a hash high, not a pot high. If you're old enough, you know the difference.

The Penthrax did jack-shit for the pain though.

The entire procedure was very fast. My doctor was gentle, efficient and explained everything she was doing.

The Penthrax made me feel high and calm. But I felt each biopsy (there were three). It was painful, but honestly, tolerable.

I cramped for about an hour afterward and am okay now. Some spotting.

I highly recommend the Penthrax. Minimally it is calming.

Well shit… I feel so validated and so overwhelmed at the same time.

I just found this population-based study published in European Psychiatry and it completely blew my mind.

women with ADHD often experience severe perimenopausal symptoms up to 10 years earlier than neurotypical women. The study showed that for ADHDers, severe symptoms actually peaked between ages 35 and 39, (mine started exactly at 35) compared to the usual 45 to 49 age range for everyone else. Also, over 54% of us deal with completely debilitating symptoms compared to only a third of the general population.

I had to quit my executive corporate job at 39 because I just couldn’t function. I went from being a high achiever to someone who couldn’t figure out how to work the coffee machine.

My brain fog, emotional swings, and executive function absolutely tanked and I was being dismissed by doctors because I was "too young" for peri.

Knowing that crashing estrogen levels directly mess with our dopamine makes a ton of sense, but wow, it’s a lot to process. I spent years dealing with the fog, anxiety and debilitating symptoms until I found an endocrinologist who finally offered relief. But it makes me so angry when I look back and think about how miserable I was. How caring for my newborn daughter (had her at 41) was so much harder than it had too be because I wasn’t treated properly. At 43 I was put on progesterone, at 44 I started taking estrogen.

I’m 46, and this year I started feeling more like my old self. I even went back to corporate, something I thought was never going to happen again. I was terrified at first, after 7 years of being away, and yes, some days I struggle, but most days I am grateful. This community was and has been a gift.

Any other ADHDers out there with similar experiences?

Edit: sharing the link.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/european-psychiatry/article/perimenopausal-symptoms-in-women-with-and-without-adhd-a-populationbased-cohort-study/7C584E5C4363EBCADFC485D3F0892A62

Does the anxiety ever get better or go away? I just started a low dose med a week ago and I’m tired of feeling this way. It doesn’t help that my potassium keeps dropping which seems to bring on a panic attack. I went from being on one med to being on 4 meds. I’m tired of my boobs hurting. I’m tired to hiding how I feel because I’m don’t want to be seen as an “Angry Black Woman”. I’m just fucking tired

This is just a mini rant before I start working because I’m over it.

So I had a mammogram in 2023 which showed a spot that my dr was concerned about. They had it biopsied and it was nothing. But I’ve been on the MRI mammogram cycle since then. I had to get each breast mammogramed separately, 1 side and then the other, then MRI, then same mammogram schedule. Every 6 months. Anyway I’ve been going through this for so many years and I’m so exhausted by it.

The last time I had an MRI they found a spot, but when I went to the breast surgeon she said it was nothing and didn’t even care to look at it.

Anyway, I just started progesterone and estrogen yesterday. I slept better than I have in years and I was so excited. I felt like an actual human person. I met with my breast surgeon this afternoon ahead of my very last MRI on the 10th. She said I have to stop HRT until then, which bummed me out so much I cried. I know it’s an overreaction but I felt so good today, I was so happy. And if they find another spot in my breast we start the whole cycle again. Part of me just wants to tell them I’m done and go back to regular mammograms. What would you do??

My menopausal symptoms are ruining my life, I need relief

TDLR: I have to get a breast MRI for like 10th time and my surgeon wants me to stop/not start HRT but I don’t think I can manage menopause anymore

I’m 43 and have had no estrogen production for a few years now. I had the one ovary out and the other didn’t pick up the slack like it’s meant to. Menopausal symptoms have been inability to sleep (even with prescription sleep aids), joint pain, hot flashes, headaches, mood issues

I really really wish these Drs scolded you with this!!! I skipped one pill about 2 weeks ago, and began spotting the dark stuff. Turned red, but not like a full period. Thank God. I was totally freaked out. Dr says if it doesn’t stop I go get an ultrasound. I have terrible health anxiety and my scenarios in my head are always the worst. I’ve read enough on here to know that once you increase your doses that this is something not uncommon. Still sucks. My libido is getting there, but at the same time…having sex with bleeding is zero fun. I tried the progesterone vaginal method but that did not seem to help. I’m on 100 mg, and probably should be on more (I guess) but won’t take an extra pill until I talk to Dr. I’m at wits end. Boobs still sore, now the spotting and the sex drive is kicking in. Crazy set of circumstances!!

I'm 53 years old and post-menopausal. A few days ago, I passed a clot the size of a half dollar followed by some bright red blood. This is now day 3 and I woke up with pain in both kidneys and cramps. Anyway, I became worried and went to the ER. They did an ultrasound, saw nothing abnormal. They did a CT with contrast of my entire abdomen and uterus and saw nothing. Labs were all normal, no signs of infection.

They told me to go to a gynecologist and gave me a referral. The only issue with that is that I cannot be seen until November!! I've called various hospitals and clinics and none of them can see me before then. I even have a referral from this hospital to supposedly get seen sooner in their system. It shows every hospital and clinic affiliated with them in every city within an hour of here and none can get me in before November!

I don't know what to do at this point. Just wait until I feel like I'm gonna pass out and then go back to the ER? Why don't ERs have someone from gynecology or obstetrics available? I saw an NP, by the way, as no MD was available which I thought was odd. I guess the MD is only for extreme medical emergencies?

back in April when I made the decision to go on HRT, I learned that planned parenthood has menopause specialists now! my doctor there is amazing and a member of the menopause society. I overlooked them at first but give them a try if you are looking for one!

Hi ladies! I’m just over 2 years into menopause and currently on estrogen and progesterone. My doctor has now suggested adding a small dose of testosterone, not because my levels are terribly low, but more because of symptoms that estrogen hasn’t completely sorted out: aches and pains, brain fog and, most impressively, a libido that seems to have packed its bags and left the country 😂

I’m curious about dosing. Has anyone here used testosterone gel/cream every other day rather than daily?

I’ve had slightly different advice from two doctors. One says alternate-day dosing is absolutely fine because it builds up in the system, while the other prefers a smaller amount daily because they feel the consistency better mimics the body’s natural hormone production, and less likely to have fluctuations.

I’d love to hear from anyone who has actually tried alternate-day dosing. Did it work well for you? Did you eventually switch to daily? Any difference in benefits or side effects?

Also interested in how long it took before you noticed improvements, particularly with libido, brain fog, energy or aches and pains.

I'm a bit worried about overshooting as my levels are not terrible, even though my dr keeps reassuring me that I'm not likely to... hearing real-life experiences from women actually taking would be incredibly helpful!

Thank you ❤️

I’ve been on HRT For about 3 months now but lately I’m so tired! I’m just so sleepy especially at that 5pm hour when it’s time to get off work.
I work from home so luckily if I’m tired, I can just go lay down but what is going on? Why am I suddenly wanting midday naps?

The night sweats and heat waves as I call them, are taking their toll. I just started taking Estroven. Does anyone have experience with this supplement? Did it help? Any other things I can do/take to alleviate this. I used to sleep like a baby and now I wake up several times a night. Uggg

The menopause specialist I saw last week did some bloodwork. My free T was abysmally low, so she offered me compounded T. She won't prescribe the gels made for men because she said the pharmacies around here are starting to decline to fill them. (That's a rant for another time)

If you're using compounded T, are there any tricks for application I should know? I want to get the max benefit from it, so any advice is appreciated.

I hate what menopause is doing to me. Granted, I also have a couple other things going on as well, but I feel as if menopause is mainly to blame.

I go from wanting to do absolutely nothing to annoyed that my husband and I rarely go anywhere together anymore. I go from happy go lucky to feeling miserable or so full of anger it scares me. I can be so irritated and annoyed at something to just wanting to bawl like a baby.

As a teenager, when hormones hit and my period came, I was a bitch. I actually feel bad for my parents who had to deal with me. I rarely cried, I was usually just mad. So now with menopause getting me both weepy and angry, its scary.

I do have a history of depression. I don't quite feel like I did when I was suffering from that.

I am so far unable to handle estrogen in either patch or pill form. I have an appt with my menopause doctor today so I am hopeful to see where we go from here. I just don't know how much longer I can handle all of this without ruining all relationships, both personal and professional.

I just needed to vent, so thanks for reading. Oh and if anyone wants to know for commenting purposes, I am 43 years old, hysterectomy but left ovaries, married, no kids.

Just wondering if anyone else is experiencing this. During certain cycles before ovulation, I am experiencing some awful mood swings. And I feel f*cking terrible too. Body aches, inflammation, indigestion. It’s like PMS! But it’s not all the time. Some cycles I feel like a million bucks. Some I’m not even sure I ovulate because I just feel despondent.

I’m not yet on HRT. I am investigating options.

Hi hoping to get some help. I currently live in Guam. It’s a US territory. I had a prescription for the past year for estradiol patch 0.05. My doctor left the practice a month ago. He went back to US mainland. Now I’m left cold turkey and new doctor (man) won’t write the renewal RX for me. I just don’t understand why the big deal. I’m an RN for 20 years, educated. Does anyone use an international online pharmacy. At this point I’m desperate. I’ve been cut off cold turkey. I’m ready to visit my local emergency room. PS not desperate enough to be scammed. lol.

I feel like I woke up one morning and the nipple on my left breast was sore/tender/burning. I had a mammogram/ultrasound/MRI all ok. The MRI did show a non-mass enhancement "probably benign" and I have to follow up in 6 months. I am freaking out that I have breast cancer but wouldn't they have caught it with all the imaging I had?

I'm wondering if this could be all hormonal? One breast only? I can't even wear a bra, it's awful!

EDIT: I am 52. Hysterectomy in 2022 so don't know if I am peri or post.

I've been on the start 0.025 estradiol patch. I filled that about ten days ago. But then I asked my doctor to up the dose, and she did. I was able to fill that prescription today, so now I have several of the 0.025 left. Do I...save them? "Make" them 0.0375 by using 1.5 patches? Use them til they run out? I asked for the increase because my anxiety and anger have been flaring more easily, though it's mostly manageable. I'm mostly scared of going to 0.0375, then it being out of stock next month.

What's the best way to manage and maximize this?

I just went for my annual exam today. My doctor did a Pap smear and it’s the first time I’ve ever bled after one. She showed me the brush that had a little bit of bright red blood on it.

Has this ever happened to anyone, particularly after menopause? I’m wondering if it’s more common after menopause. Now of course I’m worried that I have something serious going on.

I haven’t bled at all after that. Nothing in my underwear. Nothing when I wiped. Still concerned about the blood on the brush though.

How are we dealing with hormonal anxiety? I was dealing with it but since I had to switch to oral during the patch shortage its been brutal and getting worse. I did call my gyn about getting an increase but they haven't gotten back to me yet. My primary put me on buspirone but I'm only on it a week so it's not helping yet. Job hunting, prices of everything, sick parents and every day life stressors has me ready to jump out of my skin. I do have an upcoming appointment with a psychologist but it's not for a few weeks.

Thanks

i know a lot of folks struggle with sleep issues so i just wanted to share my experience with CBT-I (cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia). i am doing a sleep study that is comparing trazodone (off label for insomnia), daridorexant (on label for insomnia) and cbt-i (recommended for insomnia).

i got randomized to the online CBT-I group. basically you do a sleep diary every day and the app tracks your sleep efficiency (how much time you spend asleep while in bed vs being awake: the more time just sleeping vs being in bed being awake, the more sleep efficient you are) and gives suggestions about how to have healthy sleep habits and recommends a graded sleep restriction regimen to help you minimize the amount of time you spend in bed not sleeping.

although i am doing CBT-I using an online app in the study, you can also do CBT-I with a therapist (in person or by telehealth).

the program started me at 12:05 am bedtime and a 5:45 am wake time (determined based on my untreated sleep efficiency according to my sleep diary and the wake time i selected myself). i have been able to add 20 minutes of sleep every week (11:45, then 11:25, and tomorrow hopefully i get to start going to bed at 11:05 pm)

it has helped my sleep A LOT. it is also hard to stay awake as late as the program recommends and i am sometimes sleepy waking up in the morning. i definitely recommend the program but also want to note that it takes effort and is hard at first. but also overall my sleep is MUCH better and i am also more alert and have more energy during the day. it is worth it to me but also i hate it a little bit (although mostly only late at night and first thing i the morning).

anyway, i just wanted to share my experience in case anyone is interested in looking into it as an option. i don’t know anything about who offers this type of therapy or whether different people who do CBT-I do it differently, so i can’t make any recommendations other than i guess maybe google for more info if you are interested (sorry). but i am happy to answer any questions about my experience if anyone wants to hear more.

i will also add that i was fairly skeptical about it helping and was surprised when it did, fwiw. also i did not really have trouble falling asleep, my issues were mostly waking up in the middle of the night or waking up super early and being unable to fall back asleep. it should help with all kinds of sleep issues, but that is what i was dealing with

having terrible sleep totally sucks. many hugs and best of luck to everyone out there who is struggling

On HRT for over a year. .075 patch. I’ve always done well on anything but Mylan. Not sure if it’s a QC of my latest box (Sandoz) but I’ve been having hot flashes the last 2 weeks. I know there’s a lot of issues with patches lately. If you were me would you think it’s a cruddy batch of patches or do I need to consider a bump up on dosage?

long story short....I had to find another GP. and now I will need to find yet another one

went to the appointment today and went thru the HRT roll call of drugs and dosages.

here are the things I was asked that will lead me to yet again search for another provider.

but why do you take the patch the cream and have an IUD? you dont need all of those.

you won't need to take any of those once you hit 55.

the md at this office isnt comfortable prescribing HRT for menopause (its literally a women's health facility)

you are probably already in menopause so dont need to continue these.

I’ve mainly been on estradiol patches the last five years or more. A few months ago an NHS gynaecologist changed me to Lenzetto spray (I was experiencing more per menopause symptoms and she was concerned about absorption) but I think I’ve been having some problems with the spray with increasing body pain (I’m diagnosed with fibromyalgia, M.E & AuDHD and it’s been really bad the last few months in Tandem with this HRT change), tummy aches, headache, headaches, nausea, and feeling low.. tomorrow I will be going back to the patches.

I kind of feel like I may be coming towards menopause more fully now as I’ve had quite an uptick in all sorts of hormonal issues after being stable the last few years. The only thing is, I think I possibly need more oestrogen and an addition to my coil in some extra progesterone. I’m having to wait till next year to have my coil changed because I have to have it under general. Although historically they’ve known that my coils run out sooner so this will be past the four years. They don’t seem to want to entertain the idea of extra progesterone .

I’m deciding whether I should go and see a Private menopause specialist. I’m just not sure which direction to go in. I feel like we kind of get basic HRT care with the NHS.. what do those of us do with nuanced situations? Also then it’s the minefield of working out who to go to (I’m based in London) although that might be another post.

I hope somebody who has used this stupid patch can help me. I can’t take it anymore. Every patch change brings new horrible symptoms. There are no benefits of this patch for me. Last night I didn’t sleep at all. I had heart palpitations all night long and now I’m having insane rage and crying and emotional outburst. I’ve already talked to my Obgyn and I asked her to please put in an order for the estrogen gel and the progesterone which I’m going to be taking vaginally under her direction. I currently have a Combi patch on at this moment. I want to take it off so badly. But I’m afraid of a huge crash. I’ve already been bleeding every other week on the stupid thing (don’t worry I had an ultrasound and a biopsy, and it’s all fine). And I’m scared what else can come symptom wise I’m basically bedridden because of HRT and I don’t know what to do.