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HRT Intolerance or Side Effects?

Posted by orion7962 @orion7962, Dec 7, 2025

Very hopeful that others may share reassuring feedback. Im 63, 7 years post meno, started HRT about 7 months ago (Estradiol patch 0.5 and Progesterone oral 100mg). First 3-4 months were great, and then it changed - tons of weird side effects including brain fog, lightheadedness, anxiety/panic, visual changes, and more. I read about Progesterone Intolerance and my doc lowered it to 35mg through compounding pharmacy. Note, Im extremely petite (93 pounds) and may have high sensitivities to things. I wake up from HEAVY sleep, feel like Im in a fog for hours. Don't know what my next step is... lower Estradiol? Lower Progesterone? Stop HRT? This is very scary. Im otherwise VERY HEALTHY and active and youthful and productive, but this is interfering with my life almost continually. Are there women who cant do HRT? Anyone struggle with this and what did you do? Thank you!

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gravity3 | @gravity3 | 6 days ago
In reply to @lp30 "I’ve started HRT 10 years after menopause for bone health along with my Tymlos. I’m on..." + (show)
Profile picture for lp30 @lp30

I’ve started HRT 10 years after menopause for bone health along with my Tymlos.
I’m on the 100 progesterone pill /.025 estradiol patch. It’s been one week and sleep is worse, I feel bloated and like I have to pee all the time, headaches, breast tenderness, deep fatigue. Dr said give it another week or two but this sucks! I feel like a moody teenager all over again!
Has anyone else experienced this and did it improve??
Thank you 🙏

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@lp30

Check out Dr. Susan Hardwick smith in you tube

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lp30 | @lp30 | 6 days ago

Great information! If only we all had doctors like this! 🙏

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memem33 | @memem33 | 3 days ago
In reply to @orion7962 "@laura1970 New to these threads so Im not sure if your reply was for me or..." + (show)
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@laura1970 New to these threads so Im not sure if your reply was for me or previous person - but for me, no other meds, no underlying conditions (knocking on wood!). Follow up - had 3 horrible days S/M/T - jittery, fearful, anxiety and intrusive thoughts off the charts (not like me, I'm very calm, positive, level-headed, happy. optimistic type) so something is definitely not right. Went to my Dr again yesterday (he's beyond amazing) and we looked at and did rule outs of everything including my worse fears (needing a brain scan) and he's pretty certain since the only thing different in my life over the past year is the addition of HRT, that's the culprit and to lower my Estradiol patch in hopes it's better dosing and balance for my now lowered 35mg Progesterone, and my being so petite. Im starting new 0.375 patch tomorrow and praying I can go back to my normal, happy, strong, positive, optimistic life!

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@orion7962
Did lowering your dose help? Was it estradiol or progesterone that made you feel that way? I’m struggling too

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gravity3 | @gravity3 | 2 days ago
In reply to @memem33 "@orion7962 Did lowering your dose help? Was it estradiol or progesterone that made you feel that..." + (show)
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@orion7962
Did lowering your dose help? Was it estradiol or progesterone that made you feel that way? I’m struggling too

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@memem33

I don't know your age but at 77 I started on .025 estradiol, 100 progesterone, estradiol vaginal cream and testosterone. Now I am on .0375 and 200 progesterone. We are all individuals but that balance works for me.

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orion7962 | @orion7962 | 2 days ago
In reply to @memem33 "@orion7962 Did lowering your dose help? Was it estradiol or progesterone that made you feel that..." + (show)
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@orion7962
Did lowering your dose help? Was it estradiol or progesterone that made you feel that way? I’m struggling too

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@memem33 I lowered the dose of one, then lowered the dose of the other, and ultimately had to stop both - I was unable to tolerate either one. Took a couple months but I'd say most symptoms resolved and I'm back to my baseline. Good luck.

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sreeve511 | @sreeve511 | 2 days ago

Progesterone isn’t for everyone. For some people it causes heavy fatigue drunk feeling. If your feeling that I’d speak with your dr the progesterone might be causing it. And I don’t know if you have your uterus but usual b they try progesterone if you do still have it. Otherwise estrogen only can be fine for some people too. But if you have your uterus estrogen can build up your uterine lining. But progesterone is usually the cause for fatigue

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