Hi there Charski
I have used Estradot patches for years without problems. However I was worried initially about possible irritation as I have sensitive skin and at first I could feel itchiness developing. I made sure that I never ever scratched on or near the patch site even if it was itchy and in particular always peeled off the old patch very very slowly (never ever rip it off) - as you do with a plaster so there could be no reaction due to this.
Also alternate right and left side wherever you put it and don;'t use the same skin site for a while. If this isn't working and you get the reaction every time despite being that careful then either a different patch ( although all the othere are huge by comparison!) - or perhaps change to gel - Sandrena or estrogel.
These are all available on NHS as with Estradot.
You will find plenty of women have swapped from one to the other for various reasons so hopefully they will share their experiences.
How regular were your periods when you started HRT? If you were in the peri-menopausal transition - skipping periods and perhaps going 3 months or more without one, then you could be quite advanced and that oestrogen dose is far too low for someone of your age! This could explain your low mood. I would look to increasing it (gradually if you are sensitive to changes) but personally at your age I would want to be on 100 mcg patch - so gel might be better if your allergy persists?
Did you suffer from depression at other times in your life or due to life circumstances or do you feel it is hormonally related? Certainly increasing oestrogen is the first thing you can do to improve mood.
How do you feel physically apart from that - eg libido, muscle aches etc? It is possible you may have low testosterone but that tends to be less related to menopause than actual age unless ovaries have been removed.
I would try some of these suggestions first through existing channels and if necessary ask to be referred to a menopause clinic through NHS. No need to have an expensive private consultation with Prof Studd. He tends to prescribe much the same to all women (from what is reported on here) ie between 2 and 4 pumps of estrogel, cyclical Progesterone ( 7-10 days) and testosterone gel. The only thing you may not be able to get on NHS is the T - if it is even necessary in your case - although several women are having success with this now (ie getting it prescribed).
Quality of life? I am sure you will be aware that exercise, fresh air, diet, body weight reducing stress, stopping smoking. reducing alcohol are all measures you can take to help your general health and walking and the outdoors especially can improve feeling of well-being. Are there areas of your life perhaps that you can change so that things are less stressful - if they are now?
Just a few random thoughts which might help
Hurdity x
