Menopause Discussion > Personal Experiences

Overdosing with frequent patch change?

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juliaC:
I wonder if anyone can advise on this. 

Am I right in thinking that patches give out a steady dose so that if you forget when you changed one and decide to change it again, possibly too quickly, you won't be overdosing?

Been having headaches and dizziness this month.  I'm normally well on Evorel 50 and then combined later in the month (evorel sequi), but I have associated these symptoms with estradiol being too high in the past.  So was just wondering if it was because I've been a bit scatty, work's been hectic and I've possibly changed patches too early, not remembering what the **** I'm doing  ::) ;D

bombsh3ll:
You would only be getting more estrogen than you intended if you failed to remove the old patch AND it was less than 3 days old.

A patch is no longer delivering anything once it is removed.

Additionally, whilst patches claim to release the same amount continuously, studies have shown that by day 3 the plasma estradiol level in postmenopausal women is approximately half what it was on day 1.

So yes you are better off changing more frequently, but only to the level you intended to deliver. You are never exceeding your dose.

juliaC:

--- Quote from: bombsh3ll on September 25, 2025, 09:56:15 AM ---You would only be getting more estrogen than you intended if you failed to remove the old patch AND it was less than 3 days old.

A patch is no longer delivering anything once it is removed.

Additionally, whilst patches claim to release the same amount continuously, studies have shown that by date 3 the plasma estradiol level in postmenopausal women is approximately half what it was on day 1.

So yes you are better off changing more frequently, but only to the level you intended to deliver. You are never exceeding your dose.

--- End quote ---

Thanks Bombsh3ll

I think the symptoms are oestrogen too high to start with then, but then other times it's the right dose.  I may still be in peri.

I also seem to have a greater tolerance for the oestrogen when there's progesterone combined.  But I have an intolerance for the progesterone as I near time to change back to estradiol alone again.  The last combined patch I am so fatigued and cannot wait to get back to estradiol alone again. 

There seems to be a sweet spot just in the middle of all this where for one day I feel 'normal.'

bombsh3ll:
That doesn't sound like much of a life - have you considered either a low dose combined pill or if over 50 a continuous suppressive progestin to shut down your own cycle and add a stable daily dose of estrogen back?

I take Zoely continuously, active pills only, don't bleed at all, no hormonal ups or downs and a much better quality of life than friends the same age who are untreated or been given sequential HRT.

juliaC:

--- Quote from: bombsh3ll on September 26, 2025, 08:15:52 AM ---That doesn't sound like much of a life - have you considered either a low dose combined pill or if over 50 a continuous suppressive progestin to shut down your own cycle and add a stable daily dose of estrogen back?

I take Zoely continuously, active pills only, don't bleed at all, no hormonal ups or downs and a much better quality of life than friends the same age who are untreated or been given sequential HRT.

--- End quote ---

The doctor wants me to be on continuous (Evorel Conti) but I have prolapse symptoms start arising when on it on the sequential regime and also very low mood on the last conti patch before changing back.

When it's time to change back it's almost like my body knows and wants the oestrogen only.  I'd hate to think how I would be if I stayed on continous at that point, as it seems to have done me in by then.

I'm reading what you've written in another post about consultants to see.  I have to consider this as it's very complicated to me, I'm over 50 now so would need to see what is available. 

Thanks for responding

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