Patches and dosage ... so confused !

Posted , 6 users are following.

I’m so confused about patches 😖 how can one be different from the other ? I’ve read that some women have changed as one wasn’t working . Or that progesterone was too much ? But if the patch is both estrogen and progesterone and each patch must be pretty similar how did you know it was the progesterone that was maybe making you down or weird ? 

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Lori, it’s the same with birth control pills.  Me for example...i was on the same one for 20 years.  No issues.  Went off at 40.  Terrible issues now.  Tried the logical approach...went back on.  No good.  Tried mini pill (progesterin only) turned me into a crying mess.  

    Anti depressants...what works for 1 will not for another.

    I imagine HRT is the same.  We are all unique...it’s trial and error.  The key is balance.  Your balance will be different from someone elses.  Of course, when you feel lousy you want to be fixed.  It’s so frustrating.  

  • Posted

    Well you right took me 18 months and seeing a top menopause consultant recently .long story I went into menopause at 37 after a steady oral combined hrt at 52 my moods not brill after the progesterone cycle so I went on tiblene moods great but not strong enough so I did patch on continuous and then try separate 50mg patch  100 utrigestan daily   tablet ,I was terrible on this emotional anxious , I have recently try 4 types  and now we diagnose intolerant to progesterone so now on 75 patch and take progesterone gel every 12-14 weeks and feel amazing , great energy you have to have progesterone fir the uterus but I had scan biopsy check lining which was ok and all ok but now with new regime consultant will scan me again in 6 months to check all this is ok , I dread the progesterone as in I am ok on oestrogen only but I not try this type so may be ok I will do in Aug , I have chose to administer as be about 11 week and I am away in sept xx
    • Posted

      Hi Joanne 

      So you are on an estrogen patch and then you take the progesterone separately ? I’d like to know more as quite understand your regime? 

      I think I am too intolerant as have felt so low but need something . 

  • Posted

    I was able to tell it was the progesterone that was not suiting me well because my patch was estrogen only and my progesterone was a separate pill. I'd like to take estrogen only, but I can't because I still have a uterus. My Gyn suggested I take even more progesterone when I told her I'd stopped using my BHRT and I passed on that idea. There was no way I was going to take even more! I was already prepared to try going without any hormone treatment, so didn't discuss it with her but if I ever decide to try BHRT again down the road, I'd try to convince her to let me go with a trial of only take progesterone every 3rd month. Kinda like the birth control pills where you only have a period 4x's a year. I've not looked into it that much. But it something I'd consider as the estrogen seemed To suit me fine. 

    • Posted

      Well sound like just like me if you ask her to scan your uterus and check lining uterus then try progesterone every 3 months this should be ok , I know we all individual but my consultant brill he does specialise in menopause hrt so I take estrodot 75 and then the progesterone 12_14 weeks bearing in mind this is new trial for me ,we are try this after me trying northindrine,diacetete,levongestral,norgestrel ,utrigestan then finally we try angeliq which is desogestral well this one I was awful so sad low moods ,the one he is try me on look it up is a gel you insert for 15 days in the vagina called crinone so I will let you know , reason I try so many as had bleeding all the time all due to progesterone , I am hoping this will be ok good luck . But I feel fantastic at the moment like I was 21 again .i know I have to use for 2 weeks but I can put up with it for 2 weeks every 3 months but he seem to think be ok on this as only goes internally so we shall see all trial error x
    • Posted

      Thank you Joanne ... I’m going to screenshot your info and I’m trying out a new gyn and see what she says . 

      Yes I had a low low mood and crying it was awful . Right now I’ve just cut my patch in half and see how I do for next 2 weeks.

      Yes read too you can’t just take estrogen and if you know the progesterone makes you weird then at least you can be prepared for it when you take it .

      Boy have you been through the mill ! I can’t believe you didn’t just give up ! 

      So you’re feeling great on just estrogen ??? That’s great news. It’s all so bloody complicated and life passing us by until we get it right . 

    • Posted

      Hi Joanne

      ?I was so happy to read your post!  I am wondering if you are in UK and secretly hoping you are!  I just do not do well with patches but without HRT I literally stop functioning I am practically suicidal.   I am on Fem 7 at the moment and the vile thoughts and rages are making me think I am losing it!  I asked my doctor for Estradot and Crinone Gel or Cyclogest because I also have my Uterus and know I must take the dreaded Progesterone!

      ?I had done loads of research but it seems neither of the Progesterones are licensed in UK for prescribing in Menopause.

      ?I was gutted.  i hate taking tablets and that seemed like the ideal solution. Would love to hear your thoughts

      xx

    • Posted

      Hi Lori 

      ‘glad I can help my consultant is Simon Jones renacres hospital ormskirk  look him up he know his stuff he also delivers talks to GP I am private but through nhs as my GP couldn’t help me any more , it is all about research and what works for one doesn’t for another but we work together mr Jones and I de my symptoms and my history for instance when I was pregnant o was sick and the pmt I used to get in my earlier years related to progesterone. The lowering oestrogen not the problem for me in fact I was to low on 50 I up to 75 . Just message if you have any questions if I can help I will good luck 😉 

    • Posted

      also I have to be on hrt for life as have an autoimmune where I don’t produce have oestrogen so I am putting back in what I need I be not a human without it haha 😂 found out when I was 37 imbalance thyroid but now I am fit healthy skin good loads energy I sleep 7_8 hrs a night I don’t drink smoke and eat a balanced diet I haven’t always been a saint been there like we all have in r youth but once diagnosed early meno I started to live a more healthier lifestyle , I can say I have always been disciplined which I know for allot is so hard but for me I was very scared at such a young age going into a menopause which I thought was for older lady’s .x

    • Posted

      Hi Joanne 

      Glad HRT is working for you ! And that your life is good ! 

      I’ve had 3 months of hell ! Going to stick with the 1/2 patch for now as the full patch sent me crazy ! I realize now that Peri started for me at 41 and had no clue what I thought was a nervous breakdown and pure mental insanity was actually all hormones . 10 years later going through it again.... boy I wish their was more education on this subject .

      Can’t wait to get my life and ME back ! 

    • Posted

      Thanks Joanne ! Yes it’s all so tricky to work out and life passing us by quickly so we need to all get stable and start living !

      I’m British but live in California so going to make appt with a Gyn/hormone dr as my normal dr doesn’t seem to know too much about it . 

      It’s all a mystery .... so sick of it! 

    • Posted

      Hi Lori I hope you get sorted not once all the symptoms should be up on it in California if like you say get a good gynaecologist. Good luck you will get there 😀

    • Posted

      Hi daisylady

      We note from a recent post which you have made to our forum that you may be experiencing thoughts around self-harm. If we have misinterpreted your comments then we apologise for contacting you directly. But if you are having such thoughts then please note that you are not alone in this, and there are people out there that can help.

      If you are having these suicidal thoughts then we strongly recommend you speak to someone who may be able to help. The Samaritans offer a safe space where you can talk openly about what you are going through. They can help you explore your options, understand your problems better, or just be there to listen.

      Their contact details are on our patient information leaflet here: https://patient.info/health/dealing-with-suicidal-thoughts, which also offers lots of other advice on how you can access the help you may need.

      If you are having such thoughts then please do reach out to the team at the Samaritans (or the other people detailed in our leaflet) who will understand what you're going through and will be able to help.

      Kindest regards

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  • Posted

    sorry in answer to your question yes oestrogen only with this gel everry 12_14 weeks and a scan after 6 months again to see if uterus ok it’s xurrently 4.7 which is brill like you to be 5 and under and all checked and biopsy’s smear ok x

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