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Is Severe Dizziness Normal While Taking HRT?
Question: Are severe dizzy spells normal or dangerous in taking HRT? I have my ovaries so I have to take the progesterone. My Dr. said he has never had a side effect like this reported. I do have a low tolerance to medications. He prescribed Medroxprogesterine 2.5 MG and Estradiol 1MG. I took them for 9 days and started off with light-headedness. I thought I was possibly working out too hard. However, each day increasingly became worse than the day before. After the 9th day I stopped immediately. I got to the point where I was afraid to drive. He has now prescribed Prempro but I feel I will get the same effects which I fear. I need another opinion please. Thank you. Dawn Rodgers
Brief Answer:
Hello
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Good Day.
Light headedness has not been reported by any of my patients who take HRT. It is very unusual for that to cause it. I agree with your doctor in that aspect.
The most common side effect I see is severe acidity problems, nausea ( very common). Very rarely I have seen DVT ( deep venous thrombosis) as well.
Could you please tell me what was the indication for starting HRT in yourself? Was it for hot flushes or for heart protection?
Are you a smoker ?
Do you have diabetes or high cholesterol?
WE PREFER LOW DOSE ESTROGEN NOW A DAYS.
Prempro has low dose estrogen and is generally well tolerated. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ANY PAST HISTORY OF DVT or history of STROKES/DVT in close relatives, then it is absolutely okay to use it.
If any of these is present, ( or if you smoke/have uncontrolled diabetes/uncontrolled cholesterol ) you have to be careful. I am sure that your doctor would have asked and ruled out all these before starting HRT.
Regards
Binu
Hello
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Good Day.
Light headedness has not been reported by any of my patients who take HRT. It is very unusual for that to cause it. I agree with your doctor in that aspect.
The most common side effect I see is severe acidity problems, nausea ( very common). Very rarely I have seen DVT ( deep venous thrombosis) as well.
Could you please tell me what was the indication for starting HRT in yourself? Was it for hot flushes or for heart protection?
Are you a smoker ?
Do you have diabetes or high cholesterol?
WE PREFER LOW DOSE ESTROGEN NOW A DAYS.
Prempro has low dose estrogen and is generally well tolerated. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ANY PAST HISTORY OF DVT or history of STROKES/DVT in close relatives, then it is absolutely okay to use it.
If any of these is present, ( or if you smoke/have uncontrolled diabetes/uncontrolled cholesterol ) you have to be careful. I am sure that your doctor would have asked and ruled out all these before starting HRT.
Regards
Binu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
My Dr. has been asking me to go onto HRT for 3 years, when I went into menopause at the age of 50. I turn 54 in August. He feels it will give me more quality in life though I'm not complaining. I endure all Menopausal effects however. He is very concerned about osteoporosis due to my very small build and over all marital health. I failed to mention both of my parents had a stroke though we (my sisters and I) have been told neither are hereditary.
Brief Answer:
Hi
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for the reply.
I agree with your doctor that HRT improve the quality of life , ease menopausal symptoms and improve sexual life. It will also protect against osteoporosis.
However, we do need to take the risks in to consideration as well.
HRT use has been clearly associated with STROKES and BLOOD CLOTS. Since both your parents had stroke, I would be a bit hesitant to start on HRT. Even if I start, I make sure that the patient do not smoke, do not have diabetes, and cholesterol is normal.
I also advise a mammogram and PAP smear before starting HRT and repeat it annually. ( I do agree that these policies may be different in other countries as per the local guidelines)
For Osteoporosis prevention, you should take good dose of calcium and Vitamin D. You should exercise and SUN exposure is important as well.
To answer your question, I do not think HRT will cause light headedness, ( it can cause nausea though) but there are other potential risks which have to be assessed before starting HRT.
Regards
Binu
Hi
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for the reply.
I agree with your doctor that HRT improve the quality of life , ease menopausal symptoms and improve sexual life. It will also protect against osteoporosis.
However, we do need to take the risks in to consideration as well.
HRT use has been clearly associated with STROKES and BLOOD CLOTS. Since both your parents had stroke, I would be a bit hesitant to start on HRT. Even if I start, I make sure that the patient do not smoke, do not have diabetes, and cholesterol is normal.
I also advise a mammogram and PAP smear before starting HRT and repeat it annually. ( I do agree that these policies may be different in other countries as per the local guidelines)
For Osteoporosis prevention, you should take good dose of calcium and Vitamin D. You should exercise and SUN exposure is important as well.
To answer your question, I do not think HRT will cause light headedness, ( it can cause nausea though) but there are other potential risks which have to be assessed before starting HRT.
Regards
Binu
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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