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[ann58]

Hi I am new to this. I haven't had a period for 2 years now but have been having hot flushes, not sleeping, feeling a little irritable and weepy. My doctor has prescribed me Evorel Conti patches. I put my first 1 on this Monday. I have had a few like period pain cramps since. Is this usual? I suffer from anxiety too so not sure how much is side effects from the patches and how much is me getting anxious about taking hrt.

[honeybun]

 

Try not to worry. I am on this patch and yes a little cramping is quite normal. You may even get a little bit of spotting and bleeding, this is normal too. This can go on for up to six months for some but hopefully you will settle onto your new patch quickly.
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Honeyb
x

[ann58]

Thank you for your reply Honeyb, I really appreciate it. I am feeling so worried about everything. My doctor didn't really explain anything about what to expect or what type of hrt it is. I am going to try to get an appointment with the female GP next week as I know it is an area she specialises in so maybe will be able to tell me more and make me less anxious about it. One good thing is that I have slept right through the last few nights which I haven't done for a long time.

[honeybun]

If we can help we will. Lots of ladies here with loads of information so ask your questions.
Is there anything in particular that concerns you about this HRT.


Honeyb
x

[ann58]

I have read the risks on the leaflet and it says you are at more risks of blood clots from it if you have had miscarriages or fibroids/polyps. I have had 4 miscarriages in the past (+ 3 healthy pregnancies) and I have had polyps removed from my uterus twice.

[ann58]

I saw my doctor on Monday and she said not to worry about a little spotting of blood in the first few months but today I am bleeding quite heavily. Has anyone else experienced this? I really don't want to go through bleeding again.

[ann58]

I also have breast tenderness and feeling really weepy and irritable today. The first 2 weeks I thought the hrt was great, today I think it is the worst decision I have ever made. I can't get an appointment with my doctor until next week. I am really worried and can't stop crying today, can anyone help me please?

[littleminnie]

It takes a few months to settle down. There will be a few ups and downs along the way. I had breast tenderness at the beginning too.  I nearly gave up with HRT at the start, but I'm glad I didn't. 

[Hurdity]

Are you post-meno ann58?

If you are then the HRT should make you gradually feel better and better. If it doesn't then it is most likely to be the progestogen in that HRT - which is called norethisterone and can cause anxiety,m depression, headaches, irritability in some women - and of course with conti you arre taking it all the time. Give it a little while longer though - your body needs to adjust especially to the oestrogen.

Personally I could never use this HRT because of the headaches it gave me.

If it doesn't work then why not try the Evorel sequi- and then you would at least know if it was the progestogen causing the problem as you would get a monthly bleed, and when you were on the oestrogen only patch you should feel better ( once you''d got rid of the pmt!). The bleed would then be predictable

The other patch is Femseven but the progestogen in that one is different - still synthetic, and the patch is kept on for a week. Also comes in a continuous combined ( same dose in each patch) or cyclical (monthly bleed type)

Hope this helps

Hurdity x

[ann58]

Thank you for your replies. Yes I am post menopause. I hadn't had a period for 2 years so bleeding with the hrt has come as quite a shock to me. I have just gone into my 4th week today and the bleeding has lasted a week so far (still bleeding). I am feeling very tired, weepy and anxious. My doctor said it should settle in a few months so I will try to keep going until then. I am hoping I will feel better soon.

[Hurdity]

Hi ann58

If you hadn't had a period for 2 years then it will definiteley take a while for your body to adjust to the hormones - but after 4 weeks the oestrogen should be making you feel better not worse - ie the initial side effects will have worn off as your body begins to acclimatise.

if you are not feeling any worse than before starting the patches then do persevere as your body builds up the oestrogen.

However if you don't feel any better and in particular start to feel worse it is very likely to be down to the progestogen as I mentioned in my post below. Ideally as I said it would be best to start with a cyclical HRT so that you know the effect of the progestogen.

I use Estradot (patch) with separate progesterone (Utrogestan) - the bioidentical one with minimal side effects. Many of us have chosen this type of approach ( separate oestrogen and micronised progesterone) for this reason, and several of us are on a cycle even though we don't need to be ( eg I am 60).

Hurdity x

[ann58]

I will give it a few more weeks to see how I feel. I was given 8 weeks supply to start off with then have to go back to see my doctor. If I am feeling no better by then I may have to discuss an alternative. Thank you for your reply