Print

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

[Northernlights]

Hi

Hoping someone with experience may be able to help. I've had a Mirena fitted today and still cramping (not a pleasant experience!) but have been given Evorel 50 patches and not sure when would be best to start. GP said she couldn't see any reason not to start straight away, but part of me thinks that if I get side effects, how will I know whether the patches or the mirena are causing the problem.

I guess I'm a bit nervous of trying the Evorel too. Perimenopause has been horrid so far and on one hand I'm desperate to get help with the symptoms, but also worried of making things worse.

I get a rash with Elastoplast too so bit worried they'll give me a rash. Peri is making me anxious, can you tell?!

Anyone been through this stage who could pass on their experience?

I'm 40 and it's still a bit difficult to actually believe I'm menopausal. I've had the blood tests though and all symptoms fit.

Thanks

[Mary G]

Welcome to MM.

I would put the patch on immediately, it is not a good idea to have the progesterone from the Mirena pumping out into your womb without any oestrogen in your system, my gynaecologist is dead against it.  I had a Mirena coil (for contraception) when I first went into menopause but once I stopped producing enough oestrogen, it caused me all sorts of problems.

It is a matter of personal preference but having used patches myself, I would recommend Oestrogel because I think it works much better and you can adjust the dose to suit your needs.  I didn't ever get enough oestrogen out of the patches, they left a horrid black mark, an itchy rash and I didn't like going around with a patch stuck to my backside.

If you do get any side effects, I very much doubt it will be on account of the oestrogen, it will more than likely be the progesterone in the coil but if you keep your oestrogen up to a reasonable level, it should combat any problems and again, this is more easily achieved with Oestrogel. 

Good luck and please let us know how you get on!

[Northernlights]

Thanks Mary.

I did ask my GP about gel but she said it wasn't on formulary and I'd need to be referred to the menopause clinic, which she's happy to do after I've given patches a try.

Will see how I get on but will put a patch on tonight!

[dazned]

Hi 

Put the patch on Im sure you be fine remember thousands of women do well with the mirena and patch so theres no reason you wont be one of them ! 
Try to be positive and look forward to hearing how you get on.

[Dancinggirl]

Get that patch on a.s.a.p. and start to get all the benefits.  Keep us posted.  Dg x

[Northernlights]

It's on! Fingers crossed it helps. Will definitely update as I get on.

Thank you all.

[Trufflecat]

Good luck. You probably need to give it a few months to settle.
I am pretty sure that Oestrogel is easily prescribable because I get it from my GP.

[Dancinggirl]

Northernlights - the patches work well for lots of women - there are 2 types and I believe the smaller ones usually stick better.  It will take 2-3 months to feel full benefits so be patient.  Dg x

[Tinkerbell]

I stuck my estradot patch on the day after my mirena was fitted.

MaryG....what problems are caused by having a mirena without added oestrogen?
I saw a gynaecologist last year who suggested a Mirena as I needed to use Vagiem every day, I requested systemic HRT and he refused. Shocked that a so called specialist can try and push you into agreeing to something that may cause problems 
Needless to say, I didn't agree with the treatment/tests he suggested and trotted off to see someone who knew what they were talking about!

[Mary G]

Tinkerbell, I had the most horrendous irritation and drying out effect when I had the Mirena coil without enough oestrogen and my lining was virtually non-existent to the point of being a problem - revealed by a scan.  I then found out I was menopausal and started using patches with the coil but, as I said, they were ineffectual and I wasn't getting nearly enough oestrogen out of them.  No doubt I would have had much better results by using Oestrogel with the Mirena. 

Obviously this would not be such a problem for you if you are using topical oestrogen (i.e. you won't get the drying out problem I had) but your gynaecologist was completely wrong to refuse you systemic HRT.