HRT 3 months later

It has been 3 months since I started HRT. To recap why I started:

• I noticed bigger shifts between first and second half of the cycle in term of energy, mood, recovery.
• I had been having more frequent headache for few days before ovulation and before period. It used to happen every 3-4 months, but recently it has happened almost every month.
• I was concerned with my knee joints.

Lab tests showed: low estrogen, low testosterone, and low progesterone. They are not as low as menopause but clearly on the way or already in perimenopause.

So with some skepticism and trust of many colleague here (Brazilians are super health conscious!), I gave it a try to see the doctor everyone praised. She explained to me that as we enter into perimenopause, hormonal shifts are more brutal and volatile, thus my feelings are real.

Given recent scientific discussion about HRT, especially its safely, and that I was really tired of being so low for half of the month (both energy and mood), I decided to give it a try and see how it may impact me.

My protocol: estrogen spray once a day, gestrinone (which suppress ovulation), and testosteronal patch every 3 days.

I think this picture tells a clear physiological change…. leftis pre-HRT, see how temperature shifts between the two parts of the cycle, vs. right hand side with HRT, smoothing the month to almost flat.

Positive changes:

• Stable and medium to high energy, mood, running performance. STABLE!!!
• Hormonal related headache almost disappeared. I had it twice for 2 days each but at 30% intensity than before.
• Deeper sleep.

Other changes:

• the first month I had a long cycle, instead of the 30 days, period came day 45. The following months were normal (28-30 days).
• light spotting, happened once for few days.

So far it seems to be working. To confirm perception with data, I’ll have my lab tests again at the next appointment in May.

Will I continue for long term? Unless next blood test shows something off, or I find evidence of risks outweigh current benefit, I plan to keep it.

Let me know if you have questions. Happy to share.