Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Bo]

Hi All, I have been on Estradot 100mcg for a few years (I don't get on with Evorel or Estraderm or the gel). I have 100 Utrogestan every other day as I can't tolerate any more than that. With the supply issues, my GP supplied combos of 37.5 and 25mcg patches on occasion to make up to 100 (no 75 or 50 either at these times). However, they didn't seem to work as well. I was getting flushes, especially at night, so therefore having disturbed sleep (which is the main reason I went on hrt). And then, after the flushes started, I would have a 'breakthrough bleed' (a gynae consult told me not to worry about them). Obviously because my oestrogen levels had dropped from what they were. I thought it might be because the patches didn't always stick as well etc.
Anyway, I was relieved when the 100's were available again as I assumed I'd be OK again BUT I am encountering the same issues - flushes, broken sleep, feeling low and irritable, and then having a 'period'. It's not all the time, but every 6 weeks or so recently. Do we think that (some of) the patches from the new manufacturer are not working properly? If so, does anyone know what the solution could be? Or do we just need more oestrogen as we get older?  Thank you 

[CLKD]

It may simply be that your own hormones are fluctuating ............

Do the symptoms seen cyclical?  What have your periods been up to? 

[Bo]

Thank you for replying.
I am 64, many years post-menopause, and only having 'periods' after I've been having flushes for a while (because the oestrogen levels have dropped). I have been on hrt for several years now. I have had 2 or 3 breakthrough bleeds in that time when e.g. a patch had come off and I hadn't noticed or I'd tried other brands of patch. However, in the last 6 months or so, they've been more frequent, as have the flushes, disturbed sleep, low mood etc. I have considered that my hormones may be fluctuating but I don't know how I can tell if it's that or 'dodgy' patches   

[sheila99]

If you do a search I think there were a few that were less effective soon after the change but I don't think it's a general problem now. It's more likely to be that your own levels have dropped.

[Bo]

Thank you.
If it's me (rather than dodgy patches), is it possible to have more than 100mcg per day? I think the GP said at the start that 100 was the most we could have, but I may have not remembered that right 

[sheila99]

It's an arbitrarily imposed NHS limit not a medical one. A few will prescribe more so it's worth asking but I had to go private for it.

[Bo]

Thank you for your help

[Aubrey]

Hi Bo,

I read your post because I'm also having problems with recurring low estrogen symptoms since starting a new batch of Evorel. I know you and I are using a different prescription but the same issues can be in both. I've noticed the same recurring problems as you after months of a good regime, can't sleep, when I do I sweat like a pig and wake up, BO, etc. I know it's not a drop in my own estrogen, I know what that feels like, it's more gradual and cannot be ascribed to anything else.

I've done some googling around this issue, and it exists, some people said changing the patch more frequently than recommended helped, some returned to the pharmacy and got a different batch (check the BN number).

I'm going to try both these in sequence.

[Bo]

Yes! The BO ... I forgot to mention that because it doesn't happen that frequently. When it does, though, it is usually a few days ahead of a breakthrough bleed.
I asked my GP once whether some patches may be faulty (or whatever) and he said 'no' because of the manufacturers' quality controls. Hmmmm

[Aubrey]

Oh well, if GP's knew everything they'd be remarkable. I guess they only have the information they've been given, and half of that gets forgotten.

[Bo]