Does anyone else wonder if there is a connection between HRT and the onset or worsening of their IBS symptoms?Another post got me to thinking about this. I think the advent of my HRT use and debilitatin IBS occurred right around the same time.I have a few reasons to want to stay on the HRT for a bit unless I really determine it's involved.Thanks.
Women of *that* age
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My ibs started with menopause. Quit having menstrual cramps and started having bowel spasms.
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Premarin made it worse, so now I take estropipate and Prometrium. Both micronized forms of HRT and not made from horse pee. (plant based) i hope I don't have to give them up because the Prometrium makes me feel slightly drunk and really sleepy. I love it!
Before I broke down and started on the estrogen patch, the hot flashes would not only keep me awake but sometimes bring on panic attacks, which of course set off D attacks. Fun, fun, fun.The HRT has done me nothing but good. (I had a hysterectomy 15 years ago, got to keep one ovary, didn't start having hot flashes until about 6 years ago.)
Lucyblue, I started HRT last October and it didn't have a negative impact on my IBS, however, I went to an obgyn who specialize in perimenopausal symptoms. She takes a blood test to determine the level of each hormone in your system and then uses a compounding pharmacy who makes up a special transdermal cream with just the right amount of hormones (for me that's most testosterone and a little estrogen, no progesterone as I have loads of that in my system). She then tests my blood periodically and adjusts the dosage. If your doctor is not doing that then you are probably getting a "one size fits all" HRT pill which may have too much estrogen or progesterone for your system. Too much estrogen, in particular, can aggravate IBS (and it is now very suspect in terms of heart disease and stroke).
Hi all,Just had to comment on this thread as it is so relevant to me too. I had a complete hysterectomy 6 years ago due to ovarian cancer and have been taking HRT ever since. I don't feel that the HRT has affected my IBS at all, but I am concerned about the results of the HRT study last week.GailSusan, I believe you are incorrect about Oestrogen contributing to heart disease/strokes etc though, it was actually a combined therapy of Oestrogen and Progestogin that was the subject of the study and the Progestogin was the problematic hormone. I have included a link here to a story and info about it for anyone interested. It is an Australian website, but the information should still be relevant as it was based on I think a U.S study.I am actually quite upset about the whole business myself, as they only talked about menopausal women and HRT. As I am only 33, I don't qualify as menopausal, and I am certain that there are other women out there taking HRT that are also on it for reasons other than menopause. I worry that I have been on HRT for 6 years already, and likely to be for at least another 20 or more.I take Oestrogen only, but for a couple of years after my surgery, I took the combination. Seems presently there are no study results available on the long term effects of Oestrogen only HRT. I am understandably nervous waiting to see what they will be.For me what are the alternatives? At 33 I am far too young yet to go through menopause, and I can't just stop taking it as I don't have any ovaries at all.What do others think/feel? I would be interested to know. Thanks. Is HRT Dangerous HRT Study Results
That's interesting, GailSusan. I most definitely am on a one-size-fits-all HRT regimen--Prempro, which was used in the recent infamous study.There's a great deal of family stress that will not be relieved for a while and the HRT helps with my emotional state. That's interesting about the excess estrogen.Thanks.
Sabriel, you are right about the study. The problem was with the estrogen/progesterone combination. The study on estrogen alone is still inconclusive and is continuing. Time magazine just devoted their cover to this story and I'm reading the article now. I'll get back to you after I look into this some more. Bellyknot, any lab can take a blood sample and test you for estradiol and testosterone. The test for progesterone was a little trickier as it had to be done at a certain time in my menstrual cycle. MaryC, how is your IBS now that you are off of the HRT?
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