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Hormone replacement causing vasovagal symptoms?

Posted by sondrachristo1 @sondrachristo1, Apr 15, 2025

I am 65 years old and just started hormone replacement 6 weeks ago.
On April 3, I had an episode of heart palpitations, dizziness, lips tingling, and what felt like the lights going out, as well as a feeling that I was going to experience diarrhea.
I never passed out, and in 20 minutes the symptoms passed.
Today, April 15, I experienced this same set of symptoms in the same order. This time I was out and I had to wait in the car until the symptoms passed.
I immediately called my PCP, he took me right away. He checked my blood pressure, heart rate, and listed to my heart and lungs. Everything was normal.
He feels that something is triggering my vasovagal system. He knows I just started HRT, and believes the estrogen is the cause.
I have a call in to the prescribing doctor, to get his input.
Anyone else out there experience this?
I’m wondering if this is just my body getting used to having hormones again after so long.

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gravity3 | @gravity3 | Mar 7 4:46am
In reply to @sondrachristo1 "It has been a few weeks since I posted to this thread. I wanted to give..." + (show)
Profile picture for sondrachristo1 @sondrachristo1

It has been a few weeks since I posted to this thread. I wanted to give you all an update.
I am now completely off the oral progesterone and estradiol patch. I am still using the Vagifem insert.
Following my doctors advice, after the vasovagal symptoms started, I stopped all hormones. But before I did that, I wore a Holter monitor which showed several episodes of SVT - heart palpitations, as well as PVC's - premature ventricular contractions.
The GYN that prescribed the HRT suggested I stop the progesterone only to see what would happen. In addition to the vasovagal symptoms I was also experiencing severe indigestion. Once I stopped the progesterone all of that stopped. It felt like a miracle. However, I was still experiencing constant palpitations.
After 2 weeks, I was advised to stop the Estradiol patch. After about a week, all the palpitations stopped. I feel like my old self again.
Apparently, not only can't I tolerate any of the 5 osteoporosis meds I've tried, but I cannot tolerate HRT either!!
I am so disappointed, as I hoped the HRT would help me from losing any more bone.
I've made all the lifestyle changes that benefit bone health years ago. And I know that is not enough to stop losing bone, at least not for me.
I am going to continue to use the Vagifem - as it has helped a lot with vaginal dryness.
Good luck to everyone on this journey to better health!

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@sondrachristo1

Did the doctor start you on the lowest dose of estradiol?

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sondrachristo1 | @sondrachristo1 | Mar 7 6:34am
In reply to @gravity3 "@sondrachristo1 Did the doctor start you on the lowest dose of estradiol?" + (show)
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@sondrachristo1

Did the doctor start you on the lowest dose of estradiol?

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@gravity3
Yes, I believe so. At first the doctor thought it was the progesterone, so the plan was to stop that for 2 weeks and see if the symptoms went away.
All symptoms but the heart palpitations went away. And the palpitations were the worst I had ever experienced.
Prior to menopause, I had many episodes of palpitations, SVT.
The plan was to do a heart ablation. But once I went through menopause the palpitations completely stopped and I never had the ablation.
In the end I decided that dealing with palpitations and having to undergo any type of treatment for them was too high a price to pay.
I stopped all HRT back in April of last year when all this began. I’m disappointed, as I was hoping the HRT would help with my osteoporosis.

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gravity3 | @gravity3 | Mar 7 12:42pm
In reply to @sondrachristo1 "@gravity3 Yes, I believe so. At first the doctor thought it was the progesterone, so the..." + (show)
Profile picture for sondrachristo1 @sondrachristo1

@gravity3
Yes, I believe so. At first the doctor thought it was the progesterone, so the plan was to stop that for 2 weeks and see if the symptoms went away.
All symptoms but the heart palpitations went away. And the palpitations were the worst I had ever experienced.
Prior to menopause, I had many episodes of palpitations, SVT.
The plan was to do a heart ablation. But once I went through menopause the palpitations completely stopped and I never had the ablation.
In the end I decided that dealing with palpitations and having to undergo any type of treatment for them was too high a price to pay.
I stopped all HRT back in April of last year when all this began. I’m disappointed, as I was hoping the HRT would help with my osteoporosis.

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@sondrachristo1

So sorry it did not work out for you.

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