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[kittydaydream]

Hi all some advice please?
I’m on estraderm 100 but all my symptoms have come back like before I started! Had blood checked and Oestrogen was in normal range (388) I don’t know much about absorption- is it possible I’m not absorbing with that level? Would it be worth trying another patch or gel? All symptoms came back after mirena removal 4 months ago! Thanks 🙏

[bombsh3ll]

That is a decent level but some individuals do need higher to feel their best.

Whether you are absorbing the patch efficiently or whether this is mostly your own estradiol depends where you are in relation to menopause.

If you are still in perimenopause the patch could be doing naff all and that's simply your own production, but if you are well into postmenopause, it will almost all be from the patch.

From what I have read, typical levels on a 100mcg patch are often below 300pmol/L, assuming no endogenous estradiol production however there is wide individual variation in this.

You could try increasing in 25mcg increments (ie an extra quarter of a patch) ensuring you have sufficient progestogen to protect the uterus.

[kittydaydream]

Hiya, thanks, I’m still peri so I’ll try upping, do you know how long an increase takes to work?

[bombsh3ll]

The general advice is to give any change in dose 3 months to assess the effects.

Blood levels are less valuable in perimenopause because your own estradiol production will be up and down.

For example you could stick on an extra quarter of a patch but then have your blood level come back lower if your own production was low at that moment.

I would therefore go by how you feel at this stage rather than chase a particular blood level as it's a moving target.

[kittydaydream]

Thank you both

[Evie606]

Hi all some advice please?
I’m on estraderm 100 but all my symptoms have come back like before I started! Had blood checked and Oestrogen was in normal range (388) I don’t know much about absorption- is it possible I’m not absorbing with that level? Would it be worth trying another patch or gel? All symptoms came back after mirena removal 4 months ago! Thanks 🙏

Hi,
Not sure where you’re putting the patch.
Just a side note but I’ve noticed when I put my patch (Estraderm or Evorel) on my butt cheeks, the absorption is pretty poor. 

I read a few weeks ago that Davina McCall puts her patch just under the hip.  Since I’ve tried that, I have felt much better.

E x

[lillith112]

I was on Estraderm mx75 for a couple of years, never had any issues with it, my level was around 240.
If your symptoms have returned after having the merina taken out it's probably lack of progesterone thats causing it. Are you taking any form of progesterone ?

[kittydaydream]

Thank you Evie, I’m going to try change the location of the patch

[kittydaydream]

Lillith thanks, I’d say so but since I started Utrogestan 4 months ago continuously I’ve gotten progressively worse! Yesterday I felt drugged! I’ve had Awful fatigue and anxiety too!

[Hurdity]

Hi kittydaydream

Why don't you ask for another Mirena if your symptoms returned after its removal? It may be coincidence, and also depends how long the Mirena had been in place.

Utrogestan is notoriously beset with side effects for sensitive women, especially when taken continuously  - even though it is the only licensed bio-identical progesterone available.

You could also try going back to cyclical use - or alternatively using vaginally instead of orally as there are fewer side effects - though you may already be using it this way, and in any case, most women would not prefer not to use it vaginally on a continuous basis.

If you increase your oestrogen then 100 mg utrogestan (if thats what you are taking) may not be sufficient to protect the womb.

I've always put patches on my butt cheeks though this will ba an individual decision. I found Estraderm patches to be far to big and came unstuck unevenly. I prefer Evorel

Hurdity x

[kittydaydream]

Hurdity thanks, yes I’m trying to get another mirena but everything takes ages! Utrogestan is evil stuff for me!

[kittydaydream]

Hurdity I should also say I was on mirena for 2 years

[Lico]

Hi,
I did not realise that lack of progesterone can cause poor oestrogen absorption? why is this?

I am on a 10 day utrogestan and 3 pumps. My levels have decreased to 55ng in one year as well as my vitamin D!! The only difference is that I started putting two pumps on one leg (one inside thigh and one outside thigh) and one inside thigh. Many thanks

[kittydaydream]

Hi all I can’t get the mirena back for a month please can anyone recommend an alternative to Utrogestan? For me it’s vile stuff!