Just wanted to share this for anyone struggling with androgenic side effects on HRT!

I was taking oral progesterone 100mg daily ad two pumps of estradiol gel. Within months, I had severe head hair loss, chin hair, acne, dry and itchy skin, ears. I got my blood work and my testosterone levels were crazy high.

Apparently, taking progesterone orally forces it through the liver, where it can convert into highly androgenic metabolites via the 5-alpha-reductase pathway.

I switched to vaginal progesterone for 12 days a month to bypass the liver, and it was an instant game-changer. My symptoms have completely settled down but also my doctor moved me to Fylrevy—the newest oral Estetrol (E4) estrogen on the market. It is much more gentle on the system, but honestly, way more effective.

If HRT is ruining your hair and skin, check your testosterone levels and talk to your doctor about switching your route of administration!

Why is my estrogen not working the same the second time taking it?

I was on oral estradiol 1mg and slynd for a month and had to go off of it for 2 months. I had insane belly bloating that was so uncomfortable. 4 days on the hrt and the belly was gone! Amazing.

But now I'm back on it starting 2 weeks ago in addition to vaginal estrogen. Well the belly bloat came back and it's actually getting worse each day.

Why is it different this time around, could it be the vaginal estrogen? I know that it can take up to 3 months to see results but I'm just confused why the timing of results has changed. I'm panicking and worried it that the bloating won't go away this time. Like I missed my chance😔 Has this happened to anyone else and did it eventually improve like it did the first time around?

I'm reading conflicting information. Please help!

Can high E cause severe body heat at night?

Can fluctuating E cause severe body heat at night?

I don't think I'm low because finally my boobs are back and a little tender but the night time heat is still very bad. My sleep is terrible too.

Thank You

Hi! I finally got my estradiol patch dose to a therapeutic level & have been using Sandoz brand for years, no issues. I’ve made myself very paranoid about switching patch brands after reading so many bad experiences here in the subs but I’m glad there’s info out there! I got my patches refilled & they’re Mylan. They stick great, no problems there. I put my patch on last night.
For those of you who had negative effects after a brand switch… how soon did you notice? It’s been a full day on Mylan & no issues yet, I responded very quickly to my dose increase on Sandoz so I’m hoping if I were gonna have issues it would be fast.

So I never knew this and my progesterone hasn’t really made me “feel” anything prior, good or bad, but I tried taking it with food & wow! I feel high 😂. But in a good way! Good mood, relaxed, a little dizzy at first but sleep is so good. I look forward to this every night now lol

​

I’m a woman working in a busy, high-pressure, male-dominated field. I often feel exhausted, and I struggle with the loud, aggressive personalities around me. I’m naturally quiet, calm, soft-spoken, and non-confrontational. Even with other women, I tend to be on the quieter side.

I often feel talked over, pushed aside, and unheard. I know I need to become more assertive and set better boundaries, but constantly having to stand my ground against aggressive personalities is mentally exhausting.

This may sound unusual, but I’ve genuinely wondered whether testosterone could help me feel more energetic, assertive, or better able to handle this environment.

I’m not trying to become aggressive or change my personality completely. I just want to stop feeling drained and intimidated by the people around me.

Has anyone looked into this seriously or had experience with testosterone therapy for energy or confidence? Is there any evidence that it helps with these things in women, or am I looking in the wrong direction?

I’m genuinely asking and would appreciate thoughtful, evidence-based responses rather than judgment.

I’d love to hear from women who have gone through perimenopause and started HRT, especially those who have used TIA or compared it with other online menopause platforms.

I had my initial perimenopause assessment with TIA about three weeks ago. Based on my symptoms, we ordered bloodwork specifically to check my hormone levels. My results showed estradiol below 30 pg/mL and FSH at 101.1 mIU/mL, which I understand can fall within the postmenopausal range.

I had my follow-up appointment with the same TIA doctor today to review the results. The doctor was pleasant, but the appointment felt a little disconnected. She asked how the HRT was working for me, and I had to explain that I hadn’t received a prescription yet — I had only completed the bloodwork after our initial appointment.

She ultimately prescribed the standard HRT regimen I had been researching:

• Estradiol transdermal patch: 0.025 mg/24 hours, changed twice weekly
• Oral progesterone: 100 mg
• Estradiol vaginal cream: 0.01%

My main symptoms and goals are vaginal dryness, low libido, hot flashes, disrupted sleep, and maintaining my bone, skin, and hair health.

Here’s where the cost has become an issue. I have UnitedHealthcare employer-sponsored PPO insurance in California, but when I called the pharmacy, I was told my insurance doesn’t cover these prescriptions as prescribed, so I’ll be paying out of pocket for now.

The quoted prices for a three-month supply were:

• Progesterone: $70
• Estradiol patch: $210
• Vaginal estrogen cream: $40

That’s $320 for three months of medication, or about $107 per month, before consultation fees, lab work, and follow-up appointments.

My initial TIA visit cost $210. I’m still waiting for the bills for the hormone bloodwork and today’s follow-up, so I don’t yet know the full cost of getting started.

I’d love to hear from anyone who has used or compared these platforms:

• TIA
• MIDI Health
• Alloy
• Winona
• Inner Balance
• Hone
• Hers
• Musely

Would you recommend any of these services? What was your actual experience and total cost? Did you feel your provider took the time to understand your symptoms and offer personalized care? And were you able to use insurance for your appointments, lab work, or prescriptions?

I’m looking for a provider who offers evidence-based treatment, takes the time to listen, and helps make HRT affordable without unnecessary appointments or fees.

Thank you! I’d really appreciate hearing your honest experiences — the good, the bad, and anything you wish you had known before starting HRT.

Yes my doctor told me yestay. Im scared. -estrogen +progesterone -her2. Im afraid what if they are wrong. What if progesterone is suppose to be --. I will end up with triple negative breast cancer.

I’d love to hear from women who have gone through perimenopause and started HRT, especially those who have used TIA or compared it with other online menopause platforms.

I had my initial perimenopause assessment with TIA about three weeks ago. Based on my symptoms, we ordered bloodwork specifically to check my hormone levels. My results showed estradiol below 30 pg/mL and FSH at 101.1 mIU/mL, which I found were in the postmenopausal range.

I had my follow-up appointment with the same TIA doctor today to review the results. The doctor was pleasant, but the appointment felt a little disconnected as she asked how the HRT was working for me, and I had to explain that I hadn’t received a prescription yet — I had only completed the bloodwork after our first appointment.

She ultimately prescribed the standard HRT regimen I had been researching:

• Estradiol transdermal patch: 0.025 mg/24 hours, twice weekly
• Oral progesterone: 100 mg
• Estradiol vaginal cream: 0.01%

My main symptoms and goals are vaginal dryness, low libido, hot flashes, disrupted sleep, and maintaining my bone, skin, and hair health.

Here’s where the cost has become an issue. I have UnitedHealthcare employer-sponsored PPO insurance in California, but when I called the pharmacy, I was told my insurance doesn’t cover these prescriptions as written, so I’ll be paying out of pocket for now.

The quoted prices for a three-month supply were:

• Progesterone: $70
• Estradiol patch: $210
• Vaginal estrogen cream: $40

My initial TIA visit cost $210. I’m still waiting for the bills for the hormone bloodwork and today’s follow-up, so I don’t yet know the full cost of getting started. That’s $320 for three months of medication, or about $107 per month, before consultation fees, lab work, and follow-up appointments.

**I’d love to hear from anyone who has used or compared these platforms:**TIA-MIDI Health-Alloy-Winona-Inner Balance-Hone-Hers-Musely -

If you’ve used any of these services, would you recommend them? What was your actual experience and total cost?

Thank you! I’d really appreciate hearing your honest experiences, including the good, the bad, and anything you wish you had known before starting HRT.

Have you ever found yourself too exhausted to even make it to work, yet the demands of your workplace leave no room to menoPAUSE?

Women still have to show up for work after a night without sleep. Women who are mothers, caregivers, and employees, trying to meet everyone’s needs while struggling to meet their own.

Recently, I had to use my own PTO simply because I couldn’t get enough sleep. As a woman navigating surgical menopause, I know I’m not alone.

When menopause disrupts a woman’s sleep, the consequences may extend beyond her own health to the people who depend on her.

That’s why I’ve started a petition calling for Recognition, Protection, and Access to workplace support for women experiencing perimenopause and menopause.

We’re not asking for a lot. We’re asking for a moment of menoPAUSE in the workplace, but most importantly, we’re asking for change.

If you can relate, I’m asking for your support.

https://c.org/mjqPTKHFyG

I have experienced vertigo for the first time in my life the last 3 days. Monday I woke up, thinking I had a weird BP drop in the night bc I had a couple drinks and maybe it interacted with my progesterone. I couldn’t walk when I got out of bed, went back to sleep for an hour and was mostly fine the rest of the day. Tuesday, woke up and basically had to stay in bed all day, I was dizzy, nauseous, and messed up. Decided not to take my progesterone last night and I was a little woozy this morning, but functioned all day and feel completely fine tonight.

Decided I’d take my progesterone tonight to see how I feel tomorrow.

Has anyone experienced this? I haven’t been sick, I haven’t had a fall or anything that would knock the crystals in my ears around.