Gynae Consultation June 2023

5th June 2023

Back in the summer, I found myself at my GP's office, grappling with a myriad of unfamiliar symptoms. I hadn't been on any hormonal treatment or pain relief, so I knew these changes were the result of my body's natural hormone levels. In the past, I could have attributed such symptoms to side effects from hormonal experiments or nerve pain relief medications, but this time, there were no such factors in play.

My GP recognised the significance of these symptoms and referred me to a consultant gynaecologist to delve deeper into the issue and provide some relief.

The symptoms I was experiencing were a bit of a mix:

1. Sleep disturbances, from difficulty falling asleep to waking up with nightmares and night terrors.

2. Stubborn acne, a new issue for me as I've always been lucky enough to have clear skin.

3. Nausea triggered by the simplest of smells or even brushing my teeth.

4. Always feeling hot while those around me were cold.

5. Periodic spells of depression that coincided with ovulation, where I'd plunge into anxiety for a couple of days before recovering.

6. Unpredictable menstrual cycles ranging from as short as 19 days to as long as 40+ days.

7. Irregular periods with varying lengths and flow.

8. Hair thinning and loss.

9. Skin changes, dry, oily and texture differences

10. Achy joints, particularly in my knees, hands, and wrists.

11. Brain fog, manifesting as forgetfulness and mid-sentence word losses.

12. A lack of focus, struggles with concentration, and a tendency to procrastinate, all of which were new and perplexing, given my usual organised and motivated nature.

My consultant decided to run some blood tests to examine my hormone levels at specific points in my cycle. While most of my hormone levels came back within a normal range, my Oestrogen levels were alarmingly elevated at 1800 pg/mL. In the UK, the optimal range is 50 - 170 pg/mL. My consultant informed me that this was exceptionally high for any phase of my menstrual cycle. The plan was to initiate hormone therapy with Progesterone to see if it would restore balance and alleviate these troubling symptoms.

With cautious optimism, I began hormone treatment for the first time in years, having experienced less-than-ideal outcomes with previous treatments, including the Mirena coil. Over a span of three months (equivalent to three full cycles), I took the prescribed pills back-to-back.

The results were mixed, but there were certainly positive changes. The nightmares and night terrors dwindled, allowing me to enjoy better sleep - a definite win. My joint pains also lessened, though they still flared up during my periods. The bouts of depression ceased, and I no longer experienced those disheartening, low days. However, on the flip side, I found myself having two periods a month, with the familiar discomfort, inflammation, and fatigue that preceded and followed them but double. I was bleeding almost every other week, and I started to experience new hip pains, coupled with persistent nausea and vomiting.

In August, after two months of this treatment, I discussed these developments with my consultant, and we decided to give it one more month, hoping that the situation might improve.

I'll keep you updated on my treatment decisions and next steps in my next blog post.

LBH x