Estrogen/HRT and edema in feet/legs

[Anonymous]

I just had a consultation with a menopause specialist, and she said that Estrogen is a vasodilator. I have significant problems with edema in my legs/feet. She said estrogen supplementation shouldn't make it worse, but that doesn't make sense to me?

Separately, she suggested looking into Yaz for my teenager (a birth control pill without progesterone). I was curious and looked up side effects - edema in legs and feet is a side effect!

So I'm wary of trying estrogen now.

Is there anyone here who has trouble with edema who has also tried HRT? How did it go for you?

[Anonymous]

Bump - am the only one with feet and ankles that swell in the heat and humidity? I can’t imagine estrogen, a vasodilator, would be great for me…

[Anonymous]

Estrogen is not a vasodilator to that extent.

Try it. If you don’t like it, stop using it.

[Anonymous]

I have had some noticeable swelling in my fingers recently. Not sure where it is coming from, but I did start HRT (Estradiol and progesterone) a few months ago.

[Anonymous]

Are you on any other medications?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have had some noticeable swelling in my fingers recently. Not sure where it is coming from, but I did start HRT (Estradiol and progesterone) a few months ago.

PP ^^ here.

Want to add that the benefits of HRT have been fantastic. My hot flashes are 95% gone, and I am able to sleep well again (have had bad insomnia for a few years now and had no idea it was peri/menopause that was causing it).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you on any other medications?

Yes, an anticonvulsant and atorvastatin -- I've been on both of them for over 5 years with no issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you on any other medications?

Yes, an anticonvulsant and atorvastatin -- I've been on both of them for over 5 years with no issues.

That was not OP responding.

I’m OP, I’m on zero medications. I have seen two vascular specialists who cannot explain what is going on. The edema is somewhat disabling - even with compression socks (which increase my blood pressure uncomfortably), I can’t stand for too long, especially outside. The heat and humidity of the summer mean I can’t spend much time outside at all.

If the swelling gets worse (like I skip socks for a day), it won’t go back down again at night enough for me to wear socks the next day, so I can’t really try Estrogen and stop it.

Btw, Cleveland Clinic website says edema in hands and feet are a possible side effect of estrogen patch, so I think it could be a problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you on any other medications?

Yes, an anticonvulsant and atorvastatin -- I've been on both of them for over 5 years with no issues.

That was not OP responding.

I’m OP, I’m on zero medications. I have seen two vascular specialists who cannot explain what is going on. The edema is somewhat disabling - even with compression socks (which increase my blood pressure uncomfortably), I can’t stand for too long, especially outside. The heat and humidity of the summer mean I can’t spend much time outside at all.

If the swelling gets worse (like I skip socks for a day), it won’t go back down again at night enough for me to wear socks the next day, so I can’t really try Estrogen and stop it.

Btw, Cleveland Clinic website says edema in hands and feet are a possible side effect of estrogen patch, so I think it could be a problem.

So then don’t try it?

This is a reversible side effect you’re asking about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you on any other medications?

Yes, an anticonvulsant and atorvastatin -- I've been on both of them for over 5 years with no issues.

That was not OP responding.

I’m OP, I’m on zero medications. I have seen two vascular specialists who cannot explain what is going on. The edema is somewhat disabling - even with compression socks (which increase my blood pressure uncomfortably), I can’t stand for too long, especially outside. The heat and humidity of the summer mean I can’t spend much time outside at all.

If the swelling gets worse (like I skip socks for a day), it won’t go back down again at night enough for me to wear socks the next day, so I can’t really try Estrogen and stop it.

Btw, Cleveland Clinic website says edema in hands and feet are a possible side effect of estrogen patch, so I think it could be a problem.

So then don’t try it?

This is a reversible side effect you’re asking about.

Yeah, I don't get whey OP can't just try it?

[Anonymous]

OP, there are side effects to everything and yes they can be scary. Think death! But the side effect you are worried about getting can easily be stopped when you stopped the medication. Your doctor sees the pro outweighing the cons in your given scenario. With that being said, give it a try.