Menopause Matters Forum

Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Lisa1966 on October 15, 2018, 01:59:36 PM

Title: Advice needed,is there anything else I can try?
Post by: Lisa1966 on October 15, 2018, 01:59:36 PM

Hi ladies,
I was on 6 pumps of estrogel and estrogen levels got to 310pmol,then a month later went down to 296pmol,my consultant said I didn't seem to be absorbing it well so have been on estradot 100 for the last 5 weeks,level is now <40pmol,so I think that's it for me I've tried all forms now. Any ideas anyone xx

Title: Re: Advice needed,is there anything else I can try?
Post by: BlueButterfly on October 15, 2018, 02:11:46 PM

What about implant options?

Title: Re: Advice needed,is there anything else I can try?
Post by: SueLW on October 15, 2018, 02:35:29 PM

Different brand of patch?

I'm surprised they moved you off 6 pumps of gel.  It was working for you.  The drop was small. 

Title: Re: Advice needed,is there anything else I can try?
Post by: Lisa1966 on October 16, 2018, 05:46:29 AM

BB I don't know anything about the implants
Sue I stopped absorbing the gel,that's why he said to try patches,obviously I'm not absorbing anything now xx

Title: Re: Advice needed,is there anything else I can try?
Post by: BlueButterfly on October 17, 2018, 01:33:32 PM

I don't know too much about the implant either. Years ago it was mentioned as an option for me for testosterone. It was pellets placed under the skin that slow released the hormones. It was every few months. I'm not sure if that option is there, or used much. It's not common here either.

Title: Re: Advice needed,is there anything else I can try?
Post by: dangermouse on October 17, 2018, 02:07:55 PM

Wouldn't that very high dose be suppressing your own oestrogen too much, hence the drop?

I suspect it's a fine balance when adding exogenous replacement hormones to not affect your own levels too much, where the brain detects sudden high levels and lower your own to decompensate.

Title: Re: Advice needed,is there anything else I can try?
Post by: Hurdity on October 17, 2018, 07:15:11 PM

High oestrogen doses do suppress ovulation but not to the extent of depressing oestrogen to post-menopausal levels in the absence of HRT, because the patch would be replacing it - although blood tests are not very reliable. How did you feel on the 6 pumps though - even though you weren't absorbing the amount expect from 6 pumps that is still a reasonable oestrogen dose if it sorted out your menopausal symptoms, although I know some women need higher than this to feel good?

There are still tablets eg the contraceptive pill QLAIRA which would suppress ovulation but give you a variable dose oestrogen for 26 out of 28 days per month. The oestrogen is bio-identical ie estradiol. Maybe you are too old though if you are over 50 although I can't see why there is a cut-off as it is bio-identcial oestrgoen! Perhaps ask about this with your specialist?

Hurdity x