Menopause Matters Forum

Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Hillbilly on April 09, 2020, 09:42:28 PM

Title: Increase estrogen mid cycle?
Post by: Hillbilly on April 09, 2020, 09:42:28 PM
Hi all. I know there's not as many about at the moment but I was hoping someone could answer a quick question?

Is it ok to change your dose of oestrogel during your cycle - based on symptoms - or should you stick to the same dose throughout?

I'm assuming you need to keep the hormones balanced but I have a dip mid cycle, around day 12 or so and wondered if it could be fixed by a higher dose of oestrogel at that time?

Apologies if it's obvious, I'm not very clued up on all of this 😳
Title: Re: Increase estrogen mid cycle?
Post by: Shannonplussed on April 09, 2020, 09:57:34 PM
I've been wondering the same too! I'm on continuous and still with my background hormones occasionally doing their own thing (although I don't ovulate)--sometimes I feel quite off. Although I rarely know in which direction.
Title: Re: Increase estrogen mid cycle?
Post by: Hillbilly on April 10, 2020, 12:38:39 PM
It's really hard to get info on the internet, I just keep getting the same results.

I'm assuming - although I know very little - that you have to keep the same cycle, as in estrogen/progesterone rising and falling, so you get the bleed etc, so adding extra oestrogen when it should be falling doesn't sound safe. So maybe upping the entire regular dose is better than only upping at a certain point in the cycle? But who knows when you can't speak to your GP and specific info like this isn't available on Google.
Title: Re: Increase estrogen mid cycle?
Post by: Shannonplussed on April 10, 2020, 06:21:39 PM
I disagree--on cyclic HRT, the bleed is a progesterone withdrawal bleed just the same as the bleed one gets from the birth control pill. I don't think the estrogen rise and fall has to be maintained, and I for one feel better when on an even keel.
Title: Re: Increase estrogen mid cycle?
Post by: Hillbilly on April 10, 2020, 07:13:17 PM
Oh really? If that's the case then it's fine to change the dose! I'll give it a go and see, thank you!

Have you any idea what the side effects would be if I take too much? I am still getting hot flushes and palpitations but was worried that could also be a sign of too much?
Title: Re: Increase estrogen mid cycle?
Post by: sheila99 on April 10, 2020, 09:46:08 PM
Palpitations can be a sign of too much as well as too little oestrogen. As far as I know flushes are always too little. I tried increasing oestrogen during the utro phase as I thought it might counteract the tiredness. I don't think it made much difference. You could try it to see but there seems to be a time delay as an increase takes time to work so I think it's unlikely to help. If it was me I'd try increasing the dose all the time, maybe by half a pump.
Title: Re: Increase estrogen mid cycle?
Post by: Bobidy on April 11, 2020, 07:28:13 AM
Hi all, just to say Dr Newson has advised me that it is okay to increase estrogel mid cycle (that god awful week before a period when oestrogen nose dives) then cut back again when natural oestrogen rises.
Title: Re: Increase estrogen mid cycle?
Post by: Hillbilly on April 11, 2020, 07:42:59 AM
That's great thank you!