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[Dandelion]

I had to work my way up the doses of patches and I need 100mcg of oestrogen.
I'm not even post menopausal, so does that mean that when I go post meno, I am going to need even more oestrogen than 100mcgs?

Why do people use oestrogel, it seems more of a hassle than a patch.
Is 100mcg not enough oestrogen for some women?
If so that is really bad cos 100mcg is a massive dose and it suprised me that I needed so much to stop flushing.
Even when I was on 75mcg evorel, it wasn't enough the flushes would burn, from my breast upwards, yet my groin area was totally dry, is that normal also?

thanks

[Dyan]

Hi Dandelion,
I tried the patches but they kept falling off so I use sandrena gel which I apply to my thighs each morning.it has become part of my morning routine now and it's not a bother.

[Dandelion]

Hi Dandelion,
I tried the patches but they kept falling off so I use sandrena gel which I apply to my thighs each morning.it has become part of my morning routine now and it's not a bother.

oooh ive never heard of that.
so far my patches are doing a great job of getting rid of my flushes I was just suprised that i needed so much oestrogenn dose to get rid of them, and I am not even post meno.
I hope I dont get to a stage where i need even more, cos 100 is the highest dose, and I cannot see why my body needed so much oestrogen.
I had antidepressants, tried loads of them, possibly all of them over the years, and none of them helped, plus they all had bad side effects and were difficult to wean of.
I read an article about big pharma making these ad drugs to make us worse, they make thousands out of selling them.
I even tried neuroleptics for anxiety but they made my feet swell so badly that i could not walk without great pain after about 8pm, my doctor said it was gravitational oedema and wanted to give me water tablets.
I just weaned off the neuroleptics slowly but that was difficult too.
Im gonna be really careful if offered any psych meds, that is if there is any left that I have not already tried. I was on each one for a good few moonths too, but I think they left me with some mood damage, I dunnno, yet other women say they work, so it may just be me.
I started meno at 42, but still got periods, some really heavy, like talking changing super plus tampons every 2hrs cos they would become saturated and some would even leak on the (just in case) extra sanitary towel i would put there in case I could not get to a toilet if I was out.
I dunno what I will do if flushes start coming back through my 100mcg evorel megadose.
It's only one relative who still has to take hrt in her 60's an auntie of mine, but my mum and sisters got off pretty lightly even though mum had a surgical meno.
She was a nightmare before her hrt, but afterwards she seemed to calm down.

[Lizab]

I think there are some women on here that have had their levels tested while using patches and they weren't absorbing it, and they got better results from the gels. Aside form that, ladies like the control and ability to adjust dosage on their own.

 For any of my medications, I'm only prescribed enough to last a certain amount of time, and the intervals for refill are controlled too, so I don't think I could adjust my dose anyway without going back to the doctor. Maybe it's different in the UK? I like only having to fuss with it twice each week and would worry about transference with gel, so patches are nice for me.

I wouldn't worry about what you'll be needing in the future if you're doing well for now. We're all different so even looking at "the average woman" can't predict what you'll need. You may never need to increase.

[Mary G]

Dandelion, several reasons.  I didn't get enough oestrogen out of the patches, not even the 100mcg patch.  I found they didn't stick very well, left a horrid black mark, a damp, itchy rash and last but not least, I didn't like having a patch stuck to my backside.  I find the gel works much better and I like that fact it is flexible and I can adjust the dose. 

[Nina]

Well for me the 100 was too much, and 75 not enough so I had to snip a bit off. Plus I didn't like the visual reminder of a patch. Or the black marks. Or the fact that I had to check it was still there when I went to the loo.

I didn't like the gel because it made my elbows ache. Plus using four pumps meant it took ages to dry. Am on a tablet now and so far so good 😃

[Tinkerbell]

I have an HRT review next week, I use Estradot patches but am thinking of changing as I am having problems getting them to stick for 3.5 days.

Lizab ..Didn't know about patches not being absorbed properly by some..interesting as although I have been using mine for 6 weeks I seem to be getting no benefits from it so far.

[Lizab]

Tinkerbell, if it's not sticking well, it's probably not absorbing well either. The skin contact has to be there for the estrogen to get into the skin. I was on a generic patch for about 6 weeks before switching to the same patch in a brand name version. On the generics, by day 3 I was probably getting less than half the dose as the corners and edges were curling up then getting lint stuck on them so it couldn't stick again. Estradot is the UK brand for the same patch I'm on now, and it sticks really well for me. This is a perfect example for the OP of why some may use gel over a patch. It's nice that we have options.

[Hurdity]

Yes  I agree it's just a matter of preference and absorption Dandelion - they do exactly the same job!

Tinkerbell - what dose are you using and where do you stick them? - I've never had any real trouble with mine (same patch - mine arr 50 mcg) unless eg I put one under low waist band of jeans or in very hot weather and sit in the sun in a chair for too long (heat loosens the adhesive).

Hurdity x

[Tinkerbell]

Huridty... I am using Estradot 50, I put it below the waist on the bottom. Don't know why but it always stays on longer on the left side than the right
I started it for VA but it is not making any difference and I am still using Vagifem every night. When I had to speak to another doctor at my practice last week to get a repeat for the Vagifem she said I shouldn't need to use it at all now I was on systemic, but I am still getting a bit sore some days even though I am using both.
Not helped by using panty liners as I have spotting every day with the mirena.

[Dandelion]

Hi ladies and thanks for all of your input, that taught me a lot about different ladies needs.
I know what you mean about the black mark, lol, I get it, but cos the evorel works for me, I am prepared to put up with it.