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[CherryC]

Morning! I have been struggling with hrt recently due to mood swings.  I have been on hrt for about 8 years - I don't remember the mood swings in the early days but doesn't seem to matter what I try now, they appear!  I have mainly tried Estradot patches, Utrogestan and Testogel....tried the gel....tried Provera...tried Evorel Conti.  I'm thinking back to when I tried Evorel Conti a couple of years ago and think my mood was pretty good but I remember having very restless nights.  I messed things up at the time by trying adding a bit more Oestrogen (under consultant) but mood swings started and didn't re-settle).
I am wondering about giving Evorel Conti another go and wanted to remind myself of the experiences of others.  If I could sleep better on this one I would be keen to give it another go...
Would love to hear your thoughts or suggestions on hrt least likely to cause mood swings.   Thanks. x

[Taz2]

Are you still using the testogel? This can cause mood swings if the dose isn't right.

Taz x 

[orrla]

I am on hrt for nearly 20 years and always had some mood swings!

It puzzles me, why I can go to bed feeling ok and get up all heavy and grumpy..

By now I've learnt, no one knows!

[CherryC]

Taz2, yes I am still using Testogel - that's interesting and maybe it could be causing or contributing to the mood swings as you suggest...

[CherryC]

Orria, that is interesting (and a shame for you), that you have also experienced mood swings and over a long period of time! I wish we had an answer! I am thinking it is either the Progesterone component or fluctuating Oestrogen levels depending on how it is being dispersed/absorbed (patch, gel etc).  Or possibly the Testogel as Taz2 suggested?

[Julia Dizzy]

Hi Cherryc, I've been on a trial of Evorel conti for 5 weeks now after being on gel/estradot 50mg/utrogestan. (am age 65, last period 2009). I also use Tostran gel twice weekly which definitely helps the libido feelings but gives me sore boobs!
 
I like the convenience of just the one patch, my skin has been ok with it and no irritation, although I do prefer the composition of Estradot which sticks really well. I shall carry on with Evorel, just seem to need to find the best place where it won't crinkle of come off! I have tried top of buttocks, underneath belly button and hips. Any advice on best place??? Can't seem to tell which is best for absorption??

I have been on HRT for 3 years altogether now (very late starter but hot flushes would not go) and wish I could say I felt marvellous like some do, I seem to be sleeping ok, but still have joint pain, fatigue and anxiety - but the HRT is the only thing that gets rid of hot flushes for me.
I was unfortunately diagnosed with bowel cancer 12 months ago which was successfully removed, but had an awful time with the "belt and braces" chemo. So far am all clear. So all that has taken time to get over and haven't really felt good for a while!!

I keep hoping for the miracle of feeling better so will persevere - although my age is against me lol, hope you manage to get sorted and find your best regime!

[CherryC]

Hi JuliaDizzy, thanks so much for your reply.  I am very sorry to hear about your diagnosis last year but pleased to hear you are all clear so far and wish you all the best.

I am still weighing up a return to Evorel Conti as although many positives, it wasn't perfect for me either (are any of them?).  For the moment I am going to stick a little longer with the Estradot patch, Utrogestan (vaginally) and small blob of Testogel - a few days ago I cut quite a considerable amount off my patch and so far have been feeling a little better in terms of the mood swings. Perhaps I have been having too much Oestrogen? Time will tell!
Could I ask what you didn't get on with regarding the gel/estradot 50mg/utrogestan you had previously tried?

Back to Evorel Conti which I may return to if necessary - I put my patches on the top of the thigh at the front as I feel for me that is the best place for the least crinkles. I have never noticed any difference with absorption in the various places. Perhaps it will take a little longer for the Evorel Conti to improve your other symptoms...
I will be interested to hear how you get on...good luck x

[flossie fiddler]

I’m on Evorel Conti. I was on Evorel Sequi for 6 years, came off it due to supply issues with the adhesive, and the pandemic hit. I went 2.5 years with just Vagifem, but my symptoms got worse and worse.

I’ve been on Conti for 10 days now and seeing a massive improvement in everything. Today I have some  breast tenderness, but I can’t work out if that’s due to the new hormones, or if it’s muscle soreness from having to lift a 23kg eBike over a large log on my own. Either way, it’s not too bothersome at the moment.

[Julia Dizzy]

Hi Cherryc, thank you for your kind words.  I wasn't unhappy with the gel, just found the estradot patch easier to slap on twice a week. I tried Femseven conti too but the adhesive gave me a real bad red ring that took weeks to go, so had to stop that.

I got fed up with not being able to eat after a certain time at night so could take the utrogestan on an empty stomach before bed, also I think I had absorption problems due to having a shortened bowel and the subsequent issues with that! (Ended up having a period bleed too 3 months after the chemo finished - got checked out with T.V. scan but thankfully all ok). Tried vaginally but wasn't keen on that.

I have been feeling a little more anxious lately and more joint pain, but don't know if that's just me anyway rather than the Evorel?

it's all such a minefield and trial and error.. I wish there was an easy solution!!

[CherryC]

Thanks everyone for your replies - having cut a good amount off my 100mg Estradot patch and feeling quite a bit better, I am going to stick with this for a while and see if that will do the trick! Otherwise Evorel Conti will be my next choice.  It really is such a minefield and I am beginning to think there is an, often elusive, sweet spot that some are lucky to find straight away and others take a multitude of attempts to find, if ever! Having generally been on 75mg patch or above, I'm now hoping that coming way back down might do the trick - about 60 seems to be ok at the moment! Will report back! Thanks again x