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[Love_vodka]

Hi and thank you for reading.
I had a hysterectomy (leaving ovaries) 6 years ago and went into full menopause at the end of last year. I have been prescribed evorel patches which were increased from 50 to 100 due to hot flushes around 2 months ago.
Over the last month I've experienced a lot of bloating, a little weight gain, constipation and more recently my temperature can't seem to regulate hot/cold on and off, disturbed sleep sometimes but not always, boobs fuller and I feel jittery and emotional. I just don't feel right!
My diet is 80% good and I do yoga which I've also noticed I'm struggling with due to aching and shortness of breath.
I feel like I'm being paranoid tbh. I keep questioning myself. Does any of this sound normal? Would the go be able to measure my estrogen levels to check if my dose is too high? I have made an appointment but it's not until beginning of November so just wondered if anyone had any advice?
Thanks for listening xxx

[peri]

Hi Love_vodka I'm on evorel (50) too.  Whenever I've tried to increase I feel jittery as you describe and just not well.  I take this to mean the dose is too high, so stick to 50 and just put a new one on every 3 days rather than every 3 1/2; I also leave the old patch on an extra day.  Re the weight gain I too became bloated when I started on hrt, I've never completely resolved this issue apart from eating healthily and watching calorie intake to keep it at bay - it's just one of the downsides of hrt I feel.

Hope this helps x

[Love_vodka]

Thank you! I feel a bit like I'm messing the gp about, upping and downing the dose. My patches at the moment are 100 can I cut them in half? Or would I need a new prescription?

[Annie0710]

I feel jittery too when I increase too high

It's a big jump 50 to 100, isn't there an inbetween?

[Love_vodka]

There's a 75 so I should try that.
Has anyone had any other symptoms? Temp up and down? Constipation? Low energy? I feel like I can't be ar$ed doing anything and I might burst into tears at any moment.

[peri]

The 50 patches are smaller than the 100, or you could cut it down, and you're not messing your GP about you're just trying to get it right.  If your levels aren't right it won't help with how you're feeling.  Changing the subject I know but have you thought about testosterone it really helps with energy and confidence (for me anyway) not to mention libido x

[Love_vodka]

Thanks Peri
I might try cutting it down and see how I feel and then keep my appointment for November.
I can't take testosterone because I've had a hysterectomy. I've also got factor 5 which increases my blood clot/stroke risk so was told the patches are my only option. I'm 45 so need them for bone protection until I'm 50 I think.

[Salad]

Hi 

I used to cut my Evorel patches successfully, so might it be worth a go to see how you feel.

Just wondering what you've heard about not taking Testosterone because you've had a hysterectomy as I've just been prescribed it and I have had a hysterectomy 

[Annie0710]

I don't know anything about the factor 5 but having had a hysterectomy myself I know you can have testosterone after that

[Salad]

I don't know anything about the factor 5 but having had a hysterectomy myself I know you can have testosterone after that

Phew!!! 

[Hurdity]

Love_vodka - maybe you're thinking of progesterone? This is not given after a hysterectomy, not so much because there is any problem with it (although most women are relieved they don't have to take it) but because it is not necessary - as it is only given in high amounts to protect the womb lining. Your body still produces progesterone but enough for normal physiological function aside from reproduction.

Hurdity x

[Hurdity]

PS If you look at the info on this website it talks about T after hysterectomy - scroll down:
https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/aftermeno.php

Hurdity x

[Love_vodka]

Thank you Hurdity I will have a read. Excuse my ignorance I was under the impression I couldn't take anything other than estrogen. I'm  not even sure what the difference is between testosterone/progesterone 😳 I will look into it though to see if that's the missing link! Thank you xx

[Hurdity]

Don't apologise one bit! We all have to start somewhere! Progesterone is the hormone we produce during the second part of the menstrual cycle which prepares the womb-lining for pregnancy and then maintains a pregnancy when this occurs. Both oestrogen and progesterone are present in very large quantities throughout pregnancy and variable amounts throughout the menstrual cycle. Progesterone is only produced in larger amounts after ovulation so once your ovaries pack up then you don't produce any extra ( although small amounts are still produced for other needs in your body). Also oestrogen declines then too. Testosterone is produced in larger amounts than oestrogen in women but at about one tenth (approx I think) the amount in men. This also declines overall from about age 30 or so - but I gather there may be a temporary increase in peri-menopause but I haven't any info on this.

Do read this article about peri-menopause which might help fill in some gaps:
https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/magazine/pdf/Article%20-%20Perils%20of%20the%20Perimenopause.pdf

Also the amazing amount of info on this site starting from the left (top) tab - menopause - and working your way along!

Hurdity x

[Love_vodka]

Thank you Hurdity I appreciate your help. The confusing thing is when I start reading is that the estrogen,progesterone and testosterone lack of or too much of tend to overlap a fair bit.
I'm trying to educate myself though so thank you for pointing me in the right direction xx