Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Badga]

Hi guys

After 3 months on Evorel Conti, which btw has changed my life completely, my clinic has now put me on Estradot 50ug (twice-weekly) and progesterone 100mg daily (Utrogestan).  The reason for this is that I was have having problems with Evorel sticking (I am a sweaty sports women) and was getting breakthrough bleeding.  My Consultant was concerned that I was not absorbing enough of the opposing hormone (norethisterone) from the Evorel patch to prevent uterine wall build up.  The Estradot patches are half the size and brill at sticking.  I have been on Estradot and Utrogestan for just over a week.  However, I now seem to have swollen ankles, boobs like melons and, to quote a line from Babs the transgender taxi driver in League of Gentlemen, 'nipples like bullets'. 

Seeing as the only change in my prescription (both patches release 50ug estradiol/24 hrs) is from the opposed hormone in Evorel (norethisterone) to progesterone orally, I wonder if it is the change to progesterone that is causing my symptoms.

Any one on here with similar or other experiences?  Will these symptoms subside with use over time?

PS - they are prescribed to be taken on an empty stomach.  I know that they cause drowziness (they make me feel stoned), but why do they need to be taken on an empty stomach.  I seem to have read somewhere that they may induce gastritis? 
 

[honeybun]

Hurdity is your expert on this one.

I have just started a similar regime but I am on 200mg for 12 days of the month. I am going to use them vaginally to minimize the side effects. I have not got to that bit yet so don't know how it will work yet.

I would think it would settle within a few months. When I went on HRT for the first time my blogs were very sore.

Sorry I can't help anymore but as I said I am just starting.

There,are a few ladies using this so I am sure they will be along soon to help.

Honeyb
X

[Cassie]

Initially, I also had sore boobs, bit of water retention, but give it a chance, it settles out and use them vaginally, fewer side effects, all the best

[Hurdity]

Hi badga

I use them vaginally like Cassie - so I don't really have bad side effects. They do make me feel tired though but I seem to get used to it - and maybe a bit of bladder frequency while using them - but as I am on a cycle I only have to worry about this every couple of months.

I've never had swollen ankles so not sure about this one.

Thereis information on the side effects of HRT on this site here:
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/sideeffects.php

It says that breast tenderness can be due to oestrogen or progesterone, but breast enlargement due to oestrogen, and that bloating inlcuding ankle swelling can be aggravated by HRT, specifically oestrogen. It's all a bit confusing as I always associated bloating with the progesterone phase of the cycle!

And - as we are all individual in our response it's difficult to say in your case! However if you had problems with Evorel sticking - this would not only have affected your progesterone absorption but also oestrogen so you probably were not getting the full 50 mcg from the Evorel. Since the Estradot stick very firmly - you have maybe ensured a consistent, and likely increased dose nearer to the 50 mcg?

Hope this doesn't sound too vague!

Hurdity x

[Badga]

Thanks Huridty

I think you are right that I am absorbing more estro and prog on my new regimen (patches and pills).  As well as the ankles and boobs, I have also notice that I am constipated and not peeing as much, suggesting that I am retaining fluid from my gut, in my body tissues.  It is also interesting that when I was pre-meno, I would get these symtoms (i.e., fluid retention) towards the latter half of my cycle.  In the periods in my life when I have previously used oral contraceptions, I could never get on with the ones containing estrogen, as they made me 'blow up', whereas when I discovered the continuous prog only one, I was fine.

My consultant has advised that I can either take the Utrogestan continuously, or have a 3-day break after 28 days.  I am thinking about trying the latter for my first month, to see what effect prog withdrawal has on the bloating. 

Any thoughts or experiences anyone?

Bdaga - aka Watermelon Women

[Cassie]

Im very happy on my new regime using 200mg Utrogestan for 8 days per month, that is working better for me than the 100mg continuosly, just in case you want to consider cyclically. 

[Badga]

Hi guys

Done some reading and what I think is happening is that, due to its better sticking quality, that I am absrbing more estrogen on Estradot than I was on Conti.  Progesterone is the diuretic hormone and needs to be in balance in its opposition of estrogen to prevent fluid retention.  However, I have only been prescribed Utrogestan 100mg whereas I note a number of ladies on this forum seem to be on an Estradot with Utrogestan 200mg regimen.  btw, two weeks in and I am having quite a big, period-like bleed, so I am wondering if I am not getting enough prog.  Am back at the clinic in two and half months, so will discuss with the consultant then.  In the meantime, any thoughts anyone?

Badga

PS - I take the prog orally at night as prescribed.  It really helps me sleep, which is marvellous

[Hurdity]

Hi badga

You have been prescribed 100 mg Utrogestan as this is the dose for conti use that you described. Those that take 200 mg do so for only half the month - the licensed amount is 12 days per month and you would then get a withdrawal bleed.

Do you mean you have had a bleed 2 weeks after changing from the Evorel to the Estradot/Utrogestan? I am sure it will take your body a while to settle down particuarly as you are changing from one progestogen (synthetic norethisterone - which has a very powerful effect on thinning the womb lining) to another - bio-identical Utrogestan.

If it doesn't settle then I would definitely have a chat with GP or specialist - mostly any bleeding on conti HRT should settle after 6 months.  Sounds like this would be good to discuss at your next visit to the clinic. Meanwhile if you are worried at all do contact your GP. Did you have any bleeding while on the Evorel at all?

Hurdity x

[Badga]

Hi Huridity

Yup, I bled on Conti and am still bleeding on my new regimen.  However, the bleeding is exacerbated by the fact I have fibroids (although I have had an embolisation so they should be inactive) and am on warfarin.

Badga