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[When will it end]

Hi,I've not posted for a while,I am hoping someone can relate to my experience lately.
I had my hrt review little over 6 months ago,I felt that things had taken a dip, I was advised to up my patch to 75 and start continuous utrogestan, 200 per night. Things where great,felt so much better! I recently had a check with nurses as feeling lots of discomfort downstairs,she confirmed I had quite severe atrophy. I been given pessaries a couple of months previous but I kept having a bleed when I used them ( as I thought) so I now use a hormone free moisturiser instead. I have been referred to gynaecology for a check which I'm delighted about but I have figured out that the bleeds I'm having are actually when I'm due to change my patch!! I am wondering if anyone has experienced this and if I could need a higher dose of estrogen?? I hope you are all well and many thanks in advance for any advice xx

[bombsh3ll]

Have you had a blood test to check how much estradiol you are absorbing?

Also you are probably getting less towards the end of a patch when the edges have lifted up, hence the bleeding.

Increasing the dose might help but wouldn't necessarily solve this particular issue.

Changing the patch more often could help (but may be costly if self funding or annoy your GP practice if ordering more than they think you should have) or consider switching to tablets or gel.

Also I would get back on the vaginal estrogen.

Vaginal atrophy can lead to bleeding in itself as the tissues become very thin and fragile.

If pessaries aren't for you, there's estradiol cream.

[When will it end]

Thankyou so very much bombsh3ll for your response. I'm inclined to think that's what's happening...was just looking for reassurance before my mind took over as it tends to do of late???  

I,ll give these pessaries and another go and fingers crossed...all will be well.  Again..many thanks...where would we be without this forum xx

[bombsh3ll]

I never once managed to make a patch last for 3 days let alone 4. Even with surgical dressings over the top.

If the edges have lifted up by day 3 or 4 and only a tiny bit in the middle is still stuck down you can guarantee it won't be delivering the same dose as it was in the first 24 hours.

If you really have a strong preference for patches there are other brands, you could see if one of these works better for you.

Or you could try something over the top like I did - I used hypafix or softpore surgical dressings (consultant recommended) which I bought from Amazon.

[When will it end]

I am absolutely sick and tired of this that and the other,got the patch routine nailed,was delighted,then add to the mix the pessaries,then "no" let's change to a cream! I don't know how we,re supposed to keep up especially when the little buggers start to come away at edges like you say and cause sooo mich disruption  I'm wary of tablets ( this is a new phobia I have) but if push comes to shove,at this rate I,ll try anything! I'm very grateful for your advice,will superglue them in place if I have too

[bombsh3ll]

Personally I much prefer the convenience and reliability of oral tablets.

I'm on combined pill Zoely which I take daily, it contains oral 17 beta estradiol and a progestin.

The risk of blood clots is minuscule if you have a healthy lifestyle and no risk factors, so I will be going onto oral HRT when the time comes.

I only used the patches for IVF to have my daughter, which was so worth it but they wouldn't be for me long term.

The worst thing was not being able to shower when I wanted or that would be another patch gone.

[When will it end]

Hopefully when I see gynaecologist they will advise and I,ll certainly mention tab form. These patches are a nitemare but what can you do. Thankyou so very much for your advice,you,ve put my mind at ease. Xx