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[CarryWarry]

Just out of interest - I wonder what the maximum dose of transdermal oestrogen is.  I know that Evorel patches only go up to 100mcg but I wonder if you can add gel to this too?  My GP did say last week that people can be put on massive doses.   I guess it's like asking 'how long is a piece of string'...as each person's story is so different...

Is anyone on more than 100mcg patches ?

Cheers m'dears x

[Dotty]

The guidance is 2-4 pumps but i do know ladies who are on 6 pumps from the advice of menopause consultants.

[CarryWarry]

Yes interesting.  I find it hard spreading two pumps, spreading 6 must be fun.  LOL.  I wonder if anyone has the Evorel 100 mcg and uses gel alongside it, or whether they just get more little patches.  I am envisaging either being covered in gel eventually or being covered in little black squares from head to toe!  Gotta laugh or you'd cry!! x

[Dancinggirl]

Carrywarry - why to do you want to very high dose of oestrogen? What symptoms are you trying to control.  I believe high dose oestrogen is used to suppress ovulation but I always found I felt awful on high doses. I know we are all different but sometimes 'less is more'.

If blood tests show you are not absorbing the oestrogen, then a new way to deliver the oestrogen may be appropriate.

So many women come on this forum saying their anxiety is worse so “should they increase oestrogen dose?” and Im not convinced that this is the way to go. Controlling anxiety, fatigue, joints aches etc is about using a range of strategies as HRT alone won't fix everything. If your flushes are under control then the HRT is doing it's job. If you are already using a high dose of oestrogen and still getting flushes, then further investigation is needed to find out why.
I know some women have awful trouble with absorption though, so maybe you are one of them - perhaps a combination of pills, gel and patch? I wouldn't do anything extreme without being monitored by a specialist gynaecologist. DG x

[Mary G]

CarryWarry, Professor Studd prescribes 4 pumps of Oestrogel every day for women like you who suffer badly with hormonal headaches and migraine.   This is also the dose for women who suffer with hormonal anxiety and depression.

You have absolutely nothing whatsoever to lose by trying out a high dose of oestrogen.   I have a strong feeling that it will help your daily headaches but you won't know until you try it.  Don't be afraid to mix oestrogen patches, sprays (not available in the UK yet perhaps) and Oestrogel, sometimes a mix and match combination works well but I would start with 4 pumps of Oestrogel and go on from there if necessary.

Have a look at Professor Studd's website where he talks about headaches and migraines.   

[CarryWarry]

Thanks Mary.  I already take Oestrogen as on 2mg Progynova daily so am ADDING to that with my current two pumps of gel....so I am probably already at the max.  I do however think I should switch...seeing my GP once again on 23 August.  I could just stop taking my 2mg of Progynova and just use the gel I guess....or mix in my own patches which I've got left from last year in my bathroom drawer, but I feel I should do it through a doctor, even though this means waiting forever again!!!   Thanks so much Mary. x

[Jinja]

Hi,
I see Dr Newson she told me at my last appointment that you can't overdose on oestrogen and you can take as much as your symptoms require.  I'm on everol 100 patches and she said I can add gel as well when I feel I need it

[Dotty]

Jinga - that's a very useful and interesting piece of information x

[CarryWarry]

Yes, thanks for that Jinja. Very interesting.... 

[MIS71MUM]

I think there's a member on here called Salad who takes 200 mcg of oestrogen patches.

I take 4 pumps of gel every day - this does not override my cycle.

Can I be honest, last Monday was by far the worst day I've had in 3 years. I nearly took diazepam as I had anxiety with repetitive thoughts - I was thinking I was losing my mind again.
Today I'm normal, happy, balanced etc! Anxiety, irrational thoughts are caused by a hormonal imbalances. Today is the first day since Monday, I've not had flushes either.

If you read Prof Studd's website, upto 5mg of gel can be prescribed.

You have to remember that peri ladies may need high doses to override there own cycle.

[donnacrichton]

Hi I would not do anything without speaking to your GP or specialist. I have caused myself a lot of really hard times trying to fix things. I have been as high as 200mcg of patches and believe me it is not always the answer to keep increasing. Yes it is trial & error but please speak to  specialist first. Xx

[MIS71MUM]

By the way, just wanted to say I agree that too much oestrogen can be as awful as too low!

I wouldn't make any changes until your consultant has given you the go ahead.

There was a link posted a while ago about ladies taking a mix of HRT to deliver consistently the hormones that they require...I'll see if I can find it and add it later.

[CarryWarry]

Okey dokey. Thanks so much ladies.  I won't mess then 😁😅🤓

[Mary G]

CarryWarry, please make sure the person you consult is a menopause/hormone specialist who is also knowledgeable on hormonal migraines.  You are getting into a very specialised area of medicine and you need expert advice. 

[Salad]

I think there's a member on here called Salad who takes 200 mcg of oestrogen patches

Hi
Yes I have been prescribed 200 mcg (3 x weekly) by a Menopause Specialist.
I have just had a review and I asked about reducing a little bit. I was told to cut a third or half off one of the patches but not to go below 100mcg.
They also reassured me not to get hung up on the dose but be guided by the symptoms (which is what my GP also says).

Everybody really is different