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[Flaky47]

Anyone else finding that their patch prescription has been reduced by their GP without consultation following the Panorama programme?

I was on a dose of 125 Estradot, and made an appointment to discuss raising again because I don't absorb very well and still had loads of symptoms, only to discover that my lovely GP had left the surgery and those left would not prescribe over 100. This directly followed the Panorama programme although they didn't mention it as a reason for the new policy.

I changed doctor's surgery to one that has a good reputation for menopause treatment, only to discover that they also insisted on dropping my level to 100. I tried discussing it, and the reasons for the increase being agreed previously, but they just kept repeating that they won't prescribe over the licensed dose of 100, and if I want more I will have to go to a private clinic.

I still had loads of symptoms on 125 and now down to 100 so feeling them even more.

I'm in Leicestershire and I'm not sure if it was a county-wide decision, or even a national one.

If it's a new NHS policy my only option would be to try and save up for a private clinic or if not an overall NHS policy, requesting a referral to the menopause clinic might bring some joy (albeit probably a long wait).

[Turtle45]

@joziel It turns out that my estrogen levels are quite high but progesterone is low at 0.9 and my LH and FSH are really low which is odd as they are supposed to rise as you move through the menopause.  Also PMDD is sometimes thought to be be a sensitivity to progesterone.
I’m beginning to wonder if something else is causing it but no idea what. I just feel as though I have cortisol pumping through every moment and even something as little as going to the supermarket makes it spike. I never had these issues before.

[CLKD]

U do not have to go to a private clinic your GP should refer you to a dedicated menopause clinic; however, paying may get you seen quicker which hopefully will give your GP confidence to 'over prescribe'.  Do make sure it's not a gynae as they often don't know much more than GPs!

Starfish: what does @joziel relate to?

[bombsh3ll]

Unfortunately some health boards have a blanket policy of not prescribing more than 100mcg patches.

That's the case in my health board, even for women with POI and trans women.

This dictat actually comes from our NHS menopause service, with very clear and very stern guidance to GPs not to exceed this.

I don't agree with it, and it never used to be that way but here certainly it long pre-dates the panorama programme.

Unfortunately this does mean some having to self fund private treatment.

What I would say is if your dose is just a little bit higher, say 125mcg, is that the matrix patches can be cut to size to give a smaller dose.

For example quarter of a patch delivers 25mcg. And everyone knows that patches don't stay on nearly as long as the manufacturers claim they do. So many women actually go through more than 2 x 100mcg patches per week. And if one extra patch were to be used every 4 days, this is very unlikely to be noticed.

[Flaky47]

Thank you for the replies - all useful.

In addition to dropping the dosage the doctor has also just switched my prescription to  Evorel instead of Estradot (presumably due to shortages). I didn't know until I got to the pharmacy.

I have a couple of weeks of Estradot left and then will see what further changes come with the change to Evorel.

I am veering towards requesting a referral to the menopause clinic. My previous doctor kept promising a referral but never made one so will see how accommodating the new surgery are.

Fingers crossed that there's an answer somewhere - this has been a long journey so far and I'm only in my early 50s so still a long way to go!