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[JillC1970]

I wonder if any of you lovely ladies can help? I'm just about to change from 2mg Elleste Duet because my symptoms are back and my GP has finally agreed to prescribe Oestrogel (although the prescription I've collected is Oestrodose) and Provera as the progesterone part. The Oestrodose says one pump is equivalent to 0.75mg of oestrogen so does that mean I need 3 pumps if 2mg tablets weren't enough? Also, the Provera has been prescribed at 2x5mg tablets a day from day 14 whereas the oral tablets had 1mg of norethisterone for 12 days. Is it normal to have such a big increase in dose? Would one 5mg tablet of Provera not be enough? My GP has referred me to a Menopause clinic as he has confessed he's out of his depth so I really don't know who to ask. I'll have a 4-month wait to see the specialist at the clinic. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[Dotty]

 Hi have a look at this link

https://thebms.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/HRT-Practical-Prescribing-AUG2018.pdf

2mg tablet is roughly equal to 2 pumps of gel.  So if you need more oestrogen you will need 3 or 4 pumps.

Provera and Norethisterone are different progesterones so you need different amounts. If you are peri menopausal you will need 10 mgs daily for 14 days per 28 days.  If you look at the treatments tab on this website you will see all the doses of hrt.

Hope that helps x

[Dancinggirl]

Hi JillC1970

You can't compere the combined pills with your new regime. Oral HRT needs a higher dose of oestrogen( so much it lost going through the liver when taken orally) so I would start with 2 pumps of the gel - most like to apply to inner thighs and allow to dry for 10 mins. Transdermal oestrogen tends to be more effective.
Provera is a different type of progesterone to Norithersterone - Norethisterone is a much stronger type of progesterone and is the most testosterone based.  Provera is less testosterone based so usually better tolerated.  Different progesterones come in different doses so you will need 10mg of Provera because this will be the equivalent to the 1mg of Norithesterone for protecting your womb lining.  If you later switch to a continuous regime (when is post menopause) then you could take 5mg of Provera every day. 

Here is a link to eta page that explains avou the different progesterones and how to use them:
https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/to_progestogens.php

This new regime could work very well for you - keep us posted about you progress.  DG x

[JillC1970]

Dear DG & Dotty, thanks sooo much for your quick replies. That's a massive help. I'm 49 & peri menopausal (since 47). My moods are terrible currently. I'm going from normal to red raging bull/weeping over really stupid things again and I absolutely hate feeling like this. It's like I'm losing my mind. I'll definitely let you know how it goes. I'm worried about starting the new regime but hopeful it'll even out my moods again and help with the joint pain and poor sleep, all of which are back with a vengeance after a year on the 2mg.
I really appreciate your help. Thanks so much. X

[Dotty]

I was on Elleste Duet Conti (2mg) for 3 months. It didn't help my awful symptoms. Once on 4 pumps of gel I began to see improvements x

[JillC1970]

That sounds hopeful, Dotty. I'll keep my fingers crossed. How long have you been on it now?

[Dotty]

Hi JillC.... I've been on gel for 15 months now x

[JillC1970]

And are you feeling better on it now? Did it take a while to settle? Sorry for all the questions on a Saturday night! X

[Dotty]

Hi I am much better now. I had awful symptoms and was very ill both physically and mentally. The tablets stopped my flushes in the day but didn't do much else! I began to see improvements on the gel after 4 - 6 weeks. It took a good 3 months to see lots of improvements and I continued to feel better as time went on x

[JillC1970]

That's great, Dotty. I'm really glad you're feeling much better. It's an absolute mine field. Thank goodness for this forum. It's so good to know you're not alone. All the best and thanks again for the advice. Jx

[Dotty]

We're always here to help JillC x