Itchy skin from HRT?

[NerissaGrace]

I've been on estradiol (oral) and spironolactone for about eight months. Recent my endocrinologist has increased the dosage of E and I notice I'm starting to become itchy all over at times. Has anyone else had this experience?

Grace

[Dena]

I don't have the problem but you could be developing dry skin or a sensitivity to your soap. Soaps like Dove have moisturizers and there are body lotions designed for this problem. If you are sensitive to a soap, it could be because your not getting it all off or you need to change to another brand. If you are in the winter now, the problem is worst because of the cold.

[Dani]

I am a Pharmacist and I have never heard of anyone getting dry itchy, skin from HRT. In fact the opposite is more common. Many ladies report smoother, softer skin.

The most likely reason for dry skin in the winter is the weather. I recommend a good body lotion, bath oil or any other reasonably priced quality skin moisturizer. Also, look for Hypo-allergic labeled products.

[EmilyMK03]

I am a Pharmacist and I have never heard of anyone getting dry itchy, skin from HRT. In fact the opposite is more common. Many ladies report smoother, softer skin.

Then I guess I'm the first.    I had dry, itchy skin from HRT.  I thought it might be from the spironolactone, so I consulted with my doctor and we decreased the dosage.  That helped.  My skin is still dry, but it's not itchy anymore.  But I need to moisturize my face, legs, and hands often.

There's not much you can do other than to moisturize often, especially after a shower.  And consider using a soap like Dove (which is what I use).  It doesn't dry out your skin as much as some other soaps.

[NerissaGrace]

Thanks for all of the advice. I haven't really been moisturizing since I started hormones - sounds like that would be a good step for me.

[Rikigirl]

I used to get itchy skin especially on my breasts when I was growing more or stopped growingas much. It also happened in areas where I was changing like skin over muscles, scrotum, hips and waist etc. my endo said that this is not uncommon, so it could be this!

[KayXo]

Skin dryness can lead to itchiness. Estrogen (and anti-androgens) make the skin dry, bio-identical progesterone can help with this in some. It did, in my case.

[LShipley]

if it's not dry skin check your bilirubin count. The first symptom of a liver, gallbladder, or biliary blockage is itchy skin followed by dark urine because the bile can't be released so it goes to the skin. Eventually it causes jaundice (yellow skin)

For me promethium triggered all of that and the first thing I noticed was itchy skin all over for weeks.. but you didn't say you were on that. But the estrogen also raises the chances for gallstones which again cause the same symptoms

[Ellement_of_Freedom]

I used to get itchy skin especially on my breasts when I was growing more or stopped growingas much. It also happened in areas where I was changing like skin over muscles, scrotum, hips and waist etc. my endo said  this is not uncommon so it could be this!

I second this!

[KayXo]

For me promethium triggered all of that and the first thing I noticed was itchy skin all over for weeks.. but you didn't say you were on that. But the estrogen also raises the chances for gallstones which again cause the same symptoms

It's called Prometrium, or bio-identical micronized progesterone. As far as estrogen goes, are you sure it's ALL estrogens, including bio-identical and non-oral E2? Has cause and effect been clearly established?

[LShipley]

It's called Prometrium, or bio-identical micronized progesterone. As far as estrogen goes, are you sure it's ALL estrogens, including bio-identical and non-oral E2? Has cause and effect been clearly established?

It's called a typo - and wow.

And yes.

Any medication containing high estrogen increases your chances for gallstones. Being female increases your chance for gallstones. Just do research on gallstones themselves kay?

[KayXo]

I was just meaning to correct what you wrote so readers who weren't aware of the brand name would be able to get the correct information. I always make typos and wouldn't mind others correcting me. In fact, I encourage it.

Prometrium can indeed have side-effects as it did for LShipley (thanks for sharing your story) but in general, at the doses typically prescribed for us, these side-effects appear (according to the literature) to be quite rare. Having a doctor supervise your treatment is, however, always recommended.

As far as estrogen goes, a higher incidence of gallstones in women does not necessarily mean estrogen is the culprit, it could be the fluctuating levels causing emotional and physical havoc, higher stress levels in women, genetics, their typical eating habits or dieting tendencies, the birth control pills they often take (that contain non bio-identical hormones), etc. There are so many confounding variables that cause and effect cannot be established.

Also, if an increased incidence of gallstones has been observed in women taking birth control pills, this does not necessarily mean that the same would occur in others taking bio-identical estradiol, a different molecule which much less adverse effects on the liver and overall metabolism. Progestogens are also contained in birth control pills so that the progestogen could be the culprit but it's also important to consider the differences between those progestogens and that which is naturally produced by women although, when taken orally, bio-identical progesterone seems to increase that risk, by a certain degree. The route of administration could be important as well due to less/more circulation in the liver, a different estrogenic profile (less or more estrone and by-products) so that before stating anything with certainty or making a generalized statement, it is best, I think, to consider all these factors. This is why I asked for more information, not because I wanted to poke at your ego. I'm just a very inquisitive person, try to get at facts as much as possible (understanding it's often impossible, alas!) and I sincerely apologize if anything I said bothered you, that was certainly not my intention.

[LShipley]

I was just meaning to correct what you wrote so readers who weren't aware of the brand name would be able to get the correct information. I always make typos and wouldn't mind others correcting me. In fact, I encourage it.

Prometrium can indeed have side-effects as it did for LShipley (thanks for sharing your story) but in general, at the doses typically prescribed for us, these side-effects appear (according to the literature) to be quite rare. Having a doctor supervise your treatment is, however, always recommended.

As far as estrogen goes, a higher incidence of gallstones in women does not necessarily mean estrogen is the culprit, it could be the fluctuating levels causing emotional and physical havoc, higher stress levels in women, genetics, their typical eating habits or dieting tendencies, the birth control pills they often take (that contain non bio-identical hormones), etc. There are so many confounding variables that cause and effect cannot be established.

Also, if an increased incidence of gallstones has been observed in women taking birth control pills, this does not necessarily mean that the same would occur in others taking bio-identical estradiol, a different molecule which much less adverse effects on the liver and overall metabolism. Progestogens are also contained in birth control pills so that the progestogen could be the culprit but it's also important to consider the differences between those progestogens and that which is naturally produced by women although, when taken orally, bio-identical progesterone seems to increase that risk, by a certain degree. The route of administration could be important as well due to less/more circulation in the liver, a different estrogenic profile (less or more estrone and by-products) so that before stating anything with certainty or making a generalized statement, it is best, I think, to consider all these factors. This is why I asked for more information, not because I wanted to poke at your ego. I'm just a very inquisitive person, try to get at facts as much as possible (understanding it's often impossible, alas!) and I sincerely apologize if anything I said bothered you, that was certainly not my intention.

I don't like how you push progesterone constantly. This was a post about itchy skin and you suggest another medication that people can't even agree if it actually is beneficial or not, that has serious side effects that you don't mention, but you still "suggest" it.

And again, I don't know what doctorate you have, but you can stop putting words in my mouth. ANY medication that contains high estrogen increases your risk for gallstones.

Do you work for a pharm company? These medications have a long list of possible serious side effects and it is not right to see it pushed for such trivial things like dry skin.

[LShipley]

As far as estrogen goes, a higher incidence of gallstones in women does not necessarily mean estrogen is the culprit, it could be the fluctuating levels causing emotional and physical havoc, higher stress levels in women, genetics, their typical eating habits or dieting tendencies, the birth control pills they often take (that contain non bio-identical hormones), etc. There are so many confounding variables that cause and effect cannot be established.

Also, if an increased incidence of gallstones has been observed in women taking birth control pills, this does not necessarily mean that the same would occur in others taking bio-identical estradiol, a different molecule which much less adverse effects on the liver and...

Except that I didn't say birth control pills. One of my sources is the Mayo Clinic http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gallstones/basics/risk-factors/con-20020461

[KayXo]

I don't like how you push progesterone constantly. This was a post about itchy skin and you suggest another medication that people can't even agree if it actually is beneficial or not, that has serious side effects that you don't mention, but you still "suggest" it

Some transsexual women have reported benefits from taking it, others not. Papers have shown some of the benefits of taking progesterone but of course, some may not respond to it favorably, depending on circumstances. You and a minority of people have had significant side-effects from it, as well. That is indeed true.

I simply proposed that if itchy skin is indeed a symptom of dry skin which their doctor can only determine that perhaps, as it has shown in SOME other women, the addition of it MIGHT help.

You bring up a good point by sharing your story and I think we are all thankful for this. Truly.

In the overall scheme of things, progesterone does however seem to be relatively safe with several studies supporting this but certainly not without potential side-effects that are rare. In its monography (Prometrium), by the pharmaceutical company, they state that toxicity of this product is very low.

ANY medication that contains high estrogen increases your risk for gallstones.

I question this. I question it for several reasons which I mentioned above. Cause and effect, which estrogen, etc? Anyone has the right to question and express their opinions. Discussion and disagreement can be constructive if the parties are interested (and have time) in digging deeper in the matter.

Do you work for a pharm company?

No. I'm an employee at a University. I wouldn't work at a pharmaceutical company even if they paid me 100 million dollars or any sum of money.

These medications have a long list of possible serious side effects and it is not right to see it pushed for such trivial things like dry skin.

I simply suggested it and the person could bring it up with their doctor. That's all. The doctor will decide. Not the reader, not me. If they feel progesterone is contraindicated for them, then be it. I was just meaning to put my 2 cents in there. Take it or leave it.

One of my sources is the Mayo Clinic http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gallstones/basics/risk-factors/con-20020461

Being a female and having an increased risk of gallstones does not necessarily mean estrogen is the culprit. I explained this earlier.

Being pregnant involves so many things that one cannot point at one single factor.

Medications that contain estrogen can indeed refer exclusively to birth control pills and pills that contains non bio-identical estrogen like Premarin. I would be interested to find out the studies that their claims are based on. It's not because it's Mayo Clinic that I will blindly trust everything they state. I remain skeptical, I am inquisitive and further research into the matter would clear up things somewhat. I have several times, come across, wrong information sourced from reputable organizations. I am no longer as trusting as I was when it comes to such things. Sorry.

[BreeD]

I will throw out my unique personal experience.  Always in the past during winter (cold and dry months made drier by the heater running in my old home), I would have a worse dry patchy experience.  Depending on the Dr they would call it psoriasis or eczema.  When I started on E and, I feel mostly, spiro (still technically both a low dose, but I am at the limit for what you might consider "low" currently) I have been WAY more susceptible to dry patchy, itchy areas. I have tried a number of moisturizers, which are in a way nice because they are making my suddenly softer skin all that much softer!   

[LShipley]

I simply suggested it and the person could bring it up with their doctor. That's all. The doctor will decide. Not the reader, not me. If they feel progesterone is contraindicated for them, then be it. I was just meaning to put my 2 cents in there. Take it or leave it.

Being a female and having an increased risk of gallstones does not necessarily mean estrogen is the culprit. I explained this earlier.

Being pregnant involves so many things that one cannot point at one single factor.

It's not because it's Mayo Clinic that I will blindly trust everything they state. I remain skeptical, I am inquisitive and further research into the matter would clear up things somewhat. I have several times, come across, wrong information sourced from reputable organizations. I am no longer as trusting as I was when it comes to such things. Sorry.

Interesting stance you are taking..

My 2 cents is that you are pushing progesterone too much without ever mentioning a single risk and with how much you push it over these boards and your suggestion this time is beyond careless.

Anyone reading knows our stances so I'm dropping it here and not hijacking this thread further..

[Violets]

My scalp was itchy in the early days of starting HRT. I put this down to my skin type changing from oily to normal. The itching only lasted a few weeks, and I don't recall my skin anywhere else being itchy.

[Dani]

Ladies, I am a practicing Pharmacist for over 40 years. People come into a pharmacy to get free advice all the time. I listen to what they are concerned with and I may ask a few questions. Then I give my opinion. In my professional experience, the single most common cause of dry, itchy skin in the winter months is do to the weather. Skin moisturizers are a very simple, economical and non invasive treatment that benefits many people.
Many home furnaces do not add any humidity to the air. Since most of our winter months are spent indoors, a good humidifier may also help. We do sell humidifiers in the pharmacy as well!