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[TheCat346]

I have been seeing this functional doctor who claims that only transdermal estrogen is safe and that should be combined with Utrogestan, nothing else. I have tried several types of transdermal estrogen - Oestrogel (up to six pumps daily), Lenzetto (three sprays daily), and Estradot. For the past year, my symptoms have worsened a lot. I turned 53 in December and had regular periods until September 2021, even with continuous HRT (which the doctor put me on to stop periods).
For the past few months, I have noticed increased sweating at night. I wake up several times every night, I need to have a fan next to my bed even when it´s freezing cold outside, and I have several hot flushes a day. I have the impression transdermal estrogen is ineffective for me. I am not sure which role progeterone plays...I used to take 200 mg of Utrogestan for two weeks, but have been taking 100 mg daily for the past year. I cannot say I feel better now than I did on cyclical HRT.
Before I see a more conventional doctor, I would like some advice from others who have been through this...is there a more effective form of HRT? I know many take oral estrogen and do well on it. I would be willing to live with the risks (VTE, cancer) if I could rid myself of these horrible symptoms. But I would like to hear from others what worked best for you as there are so many brands out there...estrogen pills, combined pills...also not sure about Utrogestan, although my functional doctor says progestins are very bad for you. But are low progesterone levels responsible for hot flushes and night sweats, or are those only caused by low estrogen levels?

[CLKD]

What's a 'functional' doctor 

[Flossieteacake]

I think you should ask for a referral to a menopause Dr. They will be the best people to advise you and tailor a HRT combination that suits you. Progesterone is taken along with oestrogen to protect the lining of the womb. Taking oestrogen alone can cause the womb to thicken and the progesterone prevents this.

[Dawnp]

I am watching this thread with interest as I seem to be in the same boat as you. I have been using various patches, up to 200 now, but I am getting worse rather than better. I am also on 100mg Utrogestan daily.
I spoke to my gp about oral estrogen instead and they do prescribe it, but will only give a 2mg tablet, which is only equal to a 50 or 100 patch (depending on which comparison chart you use) so it depends if this is enough for you. Although it’s hard to know until you try it. You can get estrogen only tablets, or combined ones. Might depend if you want to stay on the Utrogestan. Quite a few women find they can’t tolerate the synthetic progestin in the combined tablet; but again you might not know. Utrogestan definitely seems to be preferred by the private meno clinics and is seen as the gold standard so if you’re ok with it you might just need to look at the estrogen side of things. You have my sympathy though because I’m having an absolute nightmare.

[Sazzle42115]

Yep I'm in the same boat....gel and Lenzetto pretty ineffective. Specialist says I have situational anxiety rather than hormone related. I tried a patch this week boobs really sore and that's just on 25 estradot but was on 4 pumps of gel and 6 sprays of Lenzetto. I don't even know what to do now. 5 years post menopause and feel dreadful, started AD mirtazphine wish I never touched it only on a short while 5 months hideous withdrawal so don't know if HRT is doing anything levels low when bloods checked. The walking dead is how I feel

[TheCat346]

What's a 'functional' doctor 

integrative/natural doctor, that is, only working with body-identical hormones as opposed to synthetic hormones.