Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: PeriWhat?! on February 22, 2021, 09:43:42 PM
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Hi all. I need some voices of experience to help me find my way through some confusion
my GP has created around Evorel Sequi HRT patches please.
I've just started on my first HRT prescription of these patches (50 and Conti).
45yo, in peri, not had a period in three months, a little bit frustrated that I couldn't ride it out without HRT for longer to see what was what. But, I couldn't stand the peri symptoms any more, so here I am.
GP has given me the impression that another combo of HRT would be better for me, post-menopause. If that's true, how can you possibly know when to stop using these patches to switch to something that might be more suitable? Do you need to stop using Evorel for a year or more at some point to assess whether you're post-menopausal or not? If so, when is that point? My GP was very vague on this question!!
I ask because my GP initially prescribed me oestrogen patches and progesterone pills and spent a long time discussing with me over the phone how this was the very best option for me.
Then called me back a couple of hours later to apologise because she'd made a mistake and that combination is for post-menopausal women. Obviously I'm glad she realised and sorted the mistake out and changed the prescription. It is all very confusing though!
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Hi PeriWhat?!
It can get confusing but sequi is the right HRT for you at the moment. As you say you won't know when you reach post-menopause so the general guidelines are that you can swap to conti around about the age of 53/54.
The mistake your doctor made is surprisingly common - scarily - which is why it is always good to arm yourself with as much information as possible and not just trust what is given to you - well that's how I see things anyway with anything medical related ;D
I hope the Evorel helps with your symptoms. At your age then HRT is considered necessary as lack of oestrogen before the normal meno age of 51/52 can have a detrimental effect on both your heart and bone health. You are merely replacing what your body would have been making naturally.
Taz x
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Hi you could have used the oestrogen patches and Utrogestan tablets in peri menopause quite safely. You take the tablets for 12 days of every month. x
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Hi PeriWhat?!
It can get confusing but sequi is the right HRT for you at the moment. As you say you won't know when you reach post-menopause so the general guidelines are that you can swap to conti around about the age of 53/54.
The mistake your doctor made is surprisingly common - scarily - which is why it is always good to arm yourself with as much information as possible and not just trust what is given to you - well that's how I see things anyway with anything medical related ;D
I hope the Evorel helps with your symptoms. At your age then HRT is considered necessary as lack of oestrogen before the normal meno age of 51/52 can have a detrimental effect on both your heart and bone health. You are merely replacing what your body would have been making naturally.
Taz x
Hi Taz, thanks for replying. That is really helpful to know. So it sounds as though you don't necessarily take time off HRT to see what natural stage your body is at - you just wait until you reach the average age and switch over then without a gap? That makes sense, I guess because that's still six or seven years away, I was probably hoping to keep things as close 'natural', whatever that is lol, as I could.
I hope it helps the symptoms too, I'll find out in two or three months if it's had a positive effect, won't I?
Thanks again for posting.
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Hi you could have used the oestrogen patches and Utrogestan tablets in peri menopause quite safely. You take the tablets for 12 days of every month. x
Agh! Isn't that typical. ;D Oh well, I don't have the prescription for that any more. It took so long to actually speak to the GP I don't know if I can face the hours spent on hold waiting to speak to someone just yet. I have to book a review appt for the Evorel in three months, so I can ask about it then. Thanks for replying Dotty!
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Just thought I would post a brief update in case anyone else is looking for people's experiences when first starting to use Evorel Sequi (50 and Conti) patches.
I've been using these patches for two weeks, so have only applied the 50 (oestrogen) patches so far.
The patches are a little bit uncomfortable, v annoying when you wear jeans, but overall ok.
Symptoms - I am having some very extreme mood swings, and am very emotional. However, I was getting this a lot before the Evorel, and it's very early days with the patches.
Last weekend, I had a migraine so bad, I had to go to bed for a few hours. Again, at this stage, I don't really know if this is due to the patches or not.
However, the night sweats seem to already be improving, even though my sleep is still terrible. And have a slightly less dry vag (couldn't think of a nicer way of saying that, sorry!).
So, overall, it seems stuff is starting to happen already. I have two weeks of the Conti patches with oestrogen and progestogen coming up next, so will try to remember to post again.
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You may find hrt isn't enough if you have vaginal atrophy. Ask your gp for localised oestrogen too if you need it.
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Thanks Sheila99. I am not sure, tbh. Just drier than normal, and I only noticed this in the last few weeks. I'm hoping that catching it early will be a good thing? Definitely something to keep an eye on. :-\
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Hi I am 47 and have noticed peri symptoms for around 2 years, but up to now coped without any treatments....It appears everyone has a different response to HRT...I started on Evorel Sequi last week and I have started my 3rd patch today. I have already had a reduction in anxiety and night sweats. Have a 3 month trial then a review with my GP (who has been fantastic)
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I'm glad it's working for you. Nice to hear a success story, many people end up on here because they have trouble with it.
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Hi I am 47 and have noticed peri symptoms for around 2 years, but up to now coped without any treatments....It appears everyone has a different response to HRT...I started on Evorel Sequi last week and I have started my 3rd patch today. I have already had a reduction in anxiety and night sweats. Have a 3 month trial then a review with my GP (who has been fantastic)
That's really good to hear, come back and keep us posted with how you get on.
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I'm glad it's working for you. Nice to hear a success story, many people end up on here because they have trouble with it.
It is, isn't it?
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Another update: I'm reaching the end of month #1 on these patches now, last few days on Evorel Conti for this month. Still having mood swings, but in all honesty, I have a lot of anxiety-inducing stuff going on in other areas of my life right now so who knows?
There's no doubt these patches have already almost stopped night sweats and daytime hot flushes (so far).
What I'd really like to ask other people about is... the end-of-month bleed you get on these patches. I know it's not a true period, but it is a bit grim. Not enough blood to comfortably use a tampon, or even to flow out on to a pad, just dark brown chunks. I wasn't quite expecting them to look so visceral! Everyone talks about it as a 'bleed', don't they, but I've never had a 'bleed' like this before.
Has anyone else had this? Could it be a sign of the dreaded VA that was mentioned before? Or could it be because my periods were getting close to finishing by themselves before I started on the HRT patches?
This forum is amazing, thanks all for your patience and help with all my questions!
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Just wanted to add another positive effect of Evorel Sequi so far... I'm just starting to sleep again!
I'm now starting month #2 of patches and have gone from 2-4ish hours broken sleep each night, to 5 hrs, 5.5hrs and even a couple of 6hr sleeps!
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It's good news about the sleeping. Makes you feel so much better overall doesn't it.
Ive just read your post re bleeding. Usually
the bleed is at the beginning of the new pack as it's the withdrawal of the progesterone which triggers a bleed. You will probably find this is what happens over the next few months and your cycle settles. I found the first two bleeds were quite crampy and painful but by month 3 it was much better.
Thanks for the updates. :)
Taz x
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When my body contributes I have a normal bleed. When it's an hrt induced one I can get anything from nothing at all to approx 3/4 of a normal bleed (lighter and shorter) or anything in between. If yours is light it's most likely there has been little build up. It takes 3 months to get the full benefit so your mood swings may settle.
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It's good news about the sleeping. Makes you feel so much better overall doesn't it.
Ive just read your post re bleeding. Usually
the bleed is at the beginning of the new pack as it's the withdrawal of the progesterone which triggers a bleed. You will probably find this is what happens over the next few months and your cycle settles. I found the first two bleeds were quite crampy and painful but by month 3 it was much better.
Thanks for the updates. :)
Taz x
That's really good to know, thanks Taz. Actually, that's a bit weird, because it started before the end of the progestogen patches, but maybe things are just settling.
I'm never sure whether my updates are useful or not, but figure I'm always looking for people's experiences about my specific type HRT, so other people may be too. :-\
When my body contributes I have a normal bleed. When it's an hrt induced one I can get anything from nothing at all to approx 3/4 of a normal bleed (lighter and shorter) or anything in between. If yours is light it's most likely there has been little build up. It takes 3 months to get the full benefit so your mood swings may settle.
That's really helpful, thanks Sheila99.
Four days into the first HRT patch 'bleed' and it's finally changed from gross brown lumps to proper red blood that flows. So something has been cranked into action, hasn't it?
Thanks for the advice re: mood swings, those and sleep are my main priorities that I hope to tackle with this treatment. Fingers crossed! xx
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Hi PeriWhat?!
Great thread, thank you for sharing. I'm in the exact same spot as you, working through month 2 of Evorel sequi. I switched to this from Femoston 2/10, just trialling to see if patches suit better than the tablets as I was starting to get more headaches.
I think I noticed mood swings too, definitely in month 2. But like you say, there is so much going on in life that it's hard to pin it down to it being because of the HRT! Did you get any queasiness?I had this more in month 1 but it seems to have settled a bit in month 2. With Femoston my pack change day was a Thursday, and you could guarantee my bleed would start Friday night/Saturday morning. Proper full-on. So I was surprised to start a "weak" period on the Tuesday before as well...and you're right, it did seem to rev up a bit as the days went on, although I don't think it was as much as on Femoston. Hopefully it will settle down.
I'm glad to say that it has reduced the headaches, if I get them they are not quite as bad. It doesn't seem to control the dry "bits" as much as before, but I have a stock of Vagifem if need be.
I think the worst thing about the patches are the patches themselves? Not sure about you, but I am not always certain they feel very stuck, yet when it comes to removal - OW!! Picks up every bit of colour from your knickers so you have a horrid black sticky outline ;D I saw a tip about using oil to remove which is helping though.
Hope you're still feeling good x
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@Mogster71 that's great news about your headaches. I'm really interested to hear how you find the patches as you adjust to them.
Overall, I am still seeing improvements, thanks for asking - I'm halfway through month 2 now - and I'm hoping the mood swings will be next to be dealt with. Being able to identify them has helped me a lot, but they are still terrifyingly dark. I have to keep reminding myself that they can't be 'real', by which I mean permanent, because they are cyclical.
I don't think I have had any queasiness tbh.
And I know what you mean about the black residue from the patches! People say baby oil removes it, don't they? A make-up remover wipe seems to work as well.
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Glad you're seeing improvements PeriWhat?!
It absolutely does help to be able to identify what is happening with moods...keeping a diary helps, I'm going to start that again. That way you can flick back a month and see if there's a pattern to it all...
Thanks for the tip about the make up wipe! I've been covering the patch with coconut oil and then rubbing the skin with the same, it does help. Someone suggested acetone but that doesn't sound quite as friendly!
Have a great Easter x
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Hi Ladies
I've just started on these too, however my first one unstuck too soon.I'd had it on a lotion free bottom but in the shower this morning it came off. I've put the new one on my tummy near my hip.
Any tips on getting them to stick as well as yours obviously are?! Xxxxx
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Hi Cookie
Ahhh good luck :)
I usually put mine on after a bath/shower, not straight away but after I've cooled and am completely dry. I hold my warm hand on it for a little bit as well once it has been applied. Not had one come off yet..mine go on either bum cheek or top of thigh.
Hope you get on ok xx
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Hi Cookie, perhaps try top of the thigh/side of bum where it won't crease up when you walk or stand up? I'm sure everyone's spot will be different! I've got it wrong once or twice and had to redo it.
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Thank you ladies for your encouragement and tips. So far Friday's patch is still in place, so fingers crossed its there until Tuesday! Hard to know if I'm feeling any different yet. I'll keep you posted, but it'd be great to hear how you are all getting along in the meantime xxxxx
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That's good then, Cookie! Just a thought, you're probably already aware of this and have placed your patch accordingly, but I've just realised you said yours was on your tummy near your hip - according to the leaflet it needs to be put below the waist.
I'm not sure I know why, tbh, but thought I should mention it. x
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I really hope these patches help with my anxiety at some point. It's felt very bad in the past few weeks, to the point where I can't even get my work done, and I just stare at my screen and get increasingly anxious about doing the actual work that I know I'm more than capable of doing! I've always been a bit of procrastinator (hello, online forums...), but it's getting ridiculous.
The patches are helping my sleep though, so hopefully once I get used to getting proper sleep again the anxiety levels might drop. Shame about all the deadlines I've missed and clients I've potentially pissed off in the meantime. This is not normally me!
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That's good then, Cookie! Just a thought, you're probably already aware of this and have placed your patch accordingly, but I've just realised you said yours was on your tummy near your hip - according to the leaflet it needs to be put below the waist.
I'm not sure I know why, tbh, but thought I should mention it. x
Thanks PeriWhat?!
Yes it is well below my waist. Sorry I'm maybe not good at describing my body but I am trying to pick spots according to the leaflet.
I am due to change patch tomorrow so fingers crossed the next one sticks as well as this one did.
Any suggestions when I might get an inclination whether I feel any different? X
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I think it's a slow process. I realised my hot sweats/night sweats has stopped fairly quickly, took me a bit longer to realise I was starting to sleep a bit better. I'm hoping it's going to keep improving.
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Well I spoke too soon on the headaches, just spent most of Easter weekend alternating paracetamol and aspirin like a boss..... GP phoned yesterday and he's keen for me to continue the trial for the whole 3 months because I have felt different both months so far. We think my headaches are possibly caused by the fluctuations in progesterone; when it starts and stops with the HRT (and of course, in peri, with my own partying hormones). I moved to the progesterone part of the pack last Thursday so it would figure. Today I feel better but I do have what I describe as a "fizzy" head. Like I'm wired and almost a pins and needles feeling in my face.
Month 3 everything could fall into place. I'm motivated by Taz in that things settled for her after a couple of months. We have to have hope, right??
Glad to hear you managed to keep the patch on Cookie! Have you started to feel anything changing for you?
Periwhat, sorry you're feeling anxious. I hope it soon passes and you feel some benefits from your extra sleep x
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Oh no, the headaches sound awful Mogster71. I reckon it's worth keeping a diary of symptoms to tell the GP when they check in. I've been using the Balance app, which is dead easy and can produce a chart you can show your GP but I still forget to fill it in every day.
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Hi all,
I started Evorel Sequi 3 days ago, I am 46, my last period was in December but have been suffering with perimenopausal symptoms for a while now, particularly anxiety, poor quality of sleep, then my hair started thinning and facial hair appeared >:(
No hot flushes though!
Now hoping this will help, I have issues concentrating and generally don't recognize myself anymore...
Spent many year fighting endometriosis and infertility and now this!
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Hi all,
I started Evorel Sequi 3 days ago, I am 46, my last period was in December but have been suffering with perimenopausal symptoms for a while now, particularly anxiety, poor quality of sleep, then my hair started thinning and facial hair appeared >:(
No hot flushes though!
Now hoping this will help, I have issues concentrating and generally don't recognize myself anymore...
Spent many year fighting endometriosis and infertility and now this!
I hope it helps your symptoms, Luchielene. The sleep and anxiety issues can be a real vicious circle, can't they?
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Update: Almost at the end of my second month of Evorel Sequi patches as a first-time HRT user and this time the bleed has started on the same day as the last Evorel Conti patch of the month. It looks more 'normal' this time.
Everyone's experiences and situation will be different, but here's what I've noticed so far re: how the patches are affecting my perimenopause symptoms.
Positives :yipi:
- hot sweats day and night have completely disappeared
- weak bladder/pelvic floor/stress incontinence issues have almost completely disappeared - which has got rid of a lot of stress and embarrassment
- sleep is improving, have even had a few nights with a solid 6 hours. That's still not the greatest amount of sleep, but it's about 2/3 times better than it was
- skin crawling feeling has gone
- sore boobs have improved and can actually wear a bra again
Neutrals :neutral:
- headaches
- weirdly sensitive sense of smell (on the plus side, at least I know I don't have Covid!)
Symptoms I still really really want to improve :(
- anxiety
- extreme mood swings
- concentration / ability to focus
- sleep
- memory
New symptoms :sigh:
- occasional migraines
- painful heels/feet (not sure if this is relevant or not enough exercise due to lockdown tbh)
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Don't be disheartened yet, my anxiety and insomnia took 3 months to go though if anxiety didn't come with meno it's possible there is a different cause. I think the improvement in sleep will continue. My brain still isn't as sharp as it used to be particularly when I'm tired. Can't remember where I was with mood swings at 2 months but I would expect that to improve too.
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That's really good to hear, thanks @sheila99!
Just trying to plan ahead and book my three-month check with the GP, obviouslyly I'll need to book it before the end of three months, otherwise I'll run out of patches.
Does anyone know if you need to book a blood test ahead of the three-month check? GP was v vague... also, they didn't do a blood test before they put me on the patches, so there'll be nothing recent to compare it to.
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You could ask when you book the appointment but I would think not. The nhs treat according to symptoms and rarely test levels. My oestrogen has never been measured, testosterone was after I'd been on it for 2 years when I had a new GP.
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Thank you.
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Hi PeriWhat?!
Wow, I'm glad you have noticed some pretty amazing improvements to your physical symptoms, thanks again for starting this really useful thread. I am slightly ahead of you timings wise and am 3 days into month 3, and truly hopeful that this month is better than 1 and 2! My second period started a full week before the end of the conti patches and was much heavier, but maybe a day or so shorter. My GP warned me that I might get another bleed when I finished the conti patches as well but that hasn't happened so far - I'm just a bit worried about what to do if it comes even earlier again this month!
So:
Neutrals - headaches not really improved
New symptoms: nausea and slightly upset tum. Dry skin? Sleep worse. More irritable (if that's possible haha) I also seem to be losing a bit more hair than usual when I wash it :(
Unless things improve in a big way then I will either ask to extend the trial for another month or go back to Femoston. The only reason I moved to Evorel was to try and see if I could reduce the headaches I was getting, but this is adding in more issues than were there before, everything else was pretty well controlled and the bleeds were regular as clockwork. I might just have to slog it out for another year or so until it's time to have a continuous progesterone. Oh what fun, eh??
xx
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Hi Mogster71, thanks for posting here, yes you're three days ahead of me with Evorel Sequi. It's really great to able to compare notes like this and just have a space to talk about it without people's eyes glazing over tbh, haha.
That is v frustrating about Evorel giving you more symptoms than before, I wonder if your body could still be adjusting? Someone more knowledgeable about this than me will come along soon, I'm sure!
My second bleed on Evorel was also much heavier and is still going on as I move into day 1 of month 3, but at least it's lighter now.
What were the positives of Femoston for you? x
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Hi PeriWhat?!
It really is useful to compare notes, isn't it? My husband is pretty good to bounce ideas or thoughts off but yes, try as he might it's not quite possible to empathise fully! The Femoston 2/10 has the kindest progesterone for me, and other than the lip up in headaches, everything else has been ok. My doc is fab but now says we could be "chasing rainbows" so to speak, I think that HE thinks I'm looking for perfect (which I doubt exists but we can live in hope!)
You are of course quite right in that it may be my body still adjusting and if I feel ok towards the end of the month I will ask the doctor if I can extend the trial by another month or two, to give it a bit more time to calm down.
Fingers crossed things stay positive for both of us :) x
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Update: Almost at the end of my second month of Evorel Sequi patches as a first-time HRT user and this time the bleed has started on the same day as the last Evorel Conti patch of the month. It looks more 'normal' this time.
Everyone's experiences and situation will be different, but here's what I've noticed so far re: how the patches are affecting my perimenopause symptoms.
Positives :yipi:
- hot sweats day and night have completely disappeared
- weak bladder/pelvic floor/stress incontinence issues have almost completely disappeared - which has got rid of a lot of stress and embarrassment
- sleep is improving, have even had a few nights with a solid 6 hours. That's still not the greatest amount of sleep, but it's about 2/3 times better than it was
- skin crawling feeling has gone
- sore boobs have improved and can actually wear a bra again
Neutrals :neutral:
- headaches
- weirdly sensitive sense of smell (on the plus side, at least I know I don't have Covid!)
Symptoms I still really really want to improve :(
- anxiety
- extreme mood swings
- concentration / ability to focus
- sleep
- memory
New symptoms :sigh:
- occasional migraines
- painful heels/feet (not sure if this is relevant or not enough exercise due to lockdown tbh)
I had my HRT 3-month review as phone call with a nurse based at a GP surgery last night, so thought I'd post an update.
Things are still more or less at this point symptoms-wise ^^^^ and since being on Sequi, I've noticed that the awful mood swings really kick in after the start of the combined oestrogen/progestogen patch.
The nurse gave me a few options and I decided to try changing just the progestogen element to see if that helps with the mood swings and concentration.
So I'm now going to try Evorel 50 oestrogen patches, with Utrogestagen tablets for the last two weeks of the month.
After the call, she ran it past a GP, who approved the prescription and I've just had a text to say I should be able to pick it up from the pharmacy in a day or so.
She also recommended Yes vaginal moisturiser, which it sounds like I'll need to buy online or over the counter. I've been in denial about the need for this, if I am honest. Every time I see the words "vaginal atrophy" on this forum or anywhere else, I feel like I want to zap the words from my brain before my poor vagina realises and dies of shock, haha. It's real, unfortunately, I just wish it had another name. ;D
I was really impressed with the nurse, she was far more knowledgeable than any of the GPs I've seen, really took her time, going through original symptoms, changes and new symptoms.
The only spanner in the works is the new migraines I've been getting, but stupidly, I didn't make a note of when these have been happening, so I couldn't tell her what they might have been a response to. I need to remember to write everything down for future reference, even if it's only on this thread!
On the whole I'm feeling positive that the original prescription helped with quite a lot of symptoms, and I'm really hoping this new prescription will improve the really big issues. Fingers crossed!
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Hi you could have used the oestrogen patches and Utrogestan tablets in peri menopause quite safely. You take the tablets for 12 days of every month. x
This is what I've now been prescribed @Dotty - I got there in the end!
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Hi PeriWhat?!
It really is useful to compare notes, isn't it? My husband is pretty good to bounce ideas or thoughts off but yes, try as he might it's not quite possible to empathise fully! The Femoston 2/10 has the kindest progesterone for me, and other than the lip up in headaches, everything else has been ok. My doc is fab but now says we could be "chasing rainbows" so to speak, I think that HE thinks I'm looking for perfect (which I doubt exists but we can live in hope!)
You are of course quite right in that it may be my body still adjusting and if I feel ok towards the end of the month I will ask the doctor if I can extend the trial by another month or two, to give it a bit more time to calm down.
Fingers crossed things stay positive for both of us :) x
How are you getting on, @Mogster71 ? x
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Hi!
This is very, very timely :)
I'm sorry the patches didn't improve things massively for you, and I really truly hope that the Evorel/Utrogestan does the trick.
I have done a proper 180 on this...3 month trial, six weeks in I was ready to throw in the towel, in fact I cried when my GP said could we just see it through for the full trial and then you can either have your old regime back or we can try the next thing (even though running out of options!). As month 2 progressed and month 3 began, felt much better and half way through the last pack I asked the doctor if we could continue with the trial for a bit longer. I've got another 3 months of Evorel Sequi and have actually started pack 4 today, along with my period!!
So in all, I definitely feel better, still a bit of nausea here and there but that's pretty typical for me, headaches dramatically reduced. I'm exercising at least 5 days a week and feel like the duracell bunny haha. I do get these frantic busy days where I am very industrious, and less of the "can't be bothered with anything".
On a negative I think the progesterone does still flatten my mood a little bit, just the odd part of a day for example. And boobs a bit sore in the week leading to period. All liveable-with kind of stuff for me. Oh and this weird sort of buzzy head, not a headache but like my face and forhead feel "fizzy".
I think a lot of ladies find the Utrogestan/separate oestrogen works well for them. The Utro did knock me out a bit for the first few nights but I freely admit I didn't give it very long at all, and based on the above it might have ended up being the best thing for me if I had done. I also think I wasn't using enough oestrogen at the time to balance things.
Keeping everything crossed for you lovely!
All the best
Mog xx
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That's amazing, @Mogster71! I'm so pleased it's working out well. Fabulous to hear it's made such a big difference to your headaches and massive well done at managing to fit so much much exercise in. That must be making a big difference overall as well.
I hope I get my industrious times back soon before I jeopardise my work situation completely! You're giving me hope.
Utrogestan! I keep getting the names confused, I'll get there in the end. :)
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@Periwhat
Thank you for your kind words, I have gone from a relative sloth in the last year to now "needing" to do something most days. I got my HRT dose and lockdown happened at almost the same time last year, I say that lockdown gave me the opportunity and HRT gave me the energy and kick up the bum!
Let us know how you get on with this new combo, keeping everything crossed for you x
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Hi Ladies,
I'm enjoying following your progress, thank you for sharing x
I'm nearing the end of my second month of everol sequi, but I am only on half patches. I'm also using vagifem which is great.
Can't say I'm feeling any better yet, my exhaustion and lack of sleep continues along with the brain fog. I feel weight is still going on and my feet and legs still burn at night. I'd never had flushes, so nothing to report there.
Hoping I might feel improvement soon and I'd love a Duracell feeling please!!!!!
Xxxxx
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I hope you do too, Cookie25. Are you on half patches until the three-month review?
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Hi PeriWhat?!
Yes I was just to try half until my review. No date yet but should be mid/end June.
Xxx
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HRT month #4: I now have Evorel 50 oestrogen patches to use all the time and Utrogestan tablets to use in the last two weeks of every cycle.
The doctor's instructions on the pack say to take the Utrogestan twice a day for 14 days, but the instructions on the leaflet say to take it twice a day for 12 days - which one do I go with?!
I'm inclined to go with 12 days as per the leaflet, and I think most of the advice online, as this prescription came from a remote phone consultation with a nurse, and they got a GP to sign a prescription. So the GP's involvement was minimal. WWYD.
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It's normally 12 days for utrogeston (days 15-26). If you were solely on patches you'd use the conti patches for 14 days so perhaps that's why he got confused. Twice a day isn't normal either but I don't suppose it makes much difference. Most people take at night as it can make you drowsy.
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Hi, I’ve been following this thread with interest. I am half way through my second box of Evorel Sequi having moved over from Femeston 1/10. The main reason I changed was due to bloating. This appeared fine the first month but I’m now finding the conti patches are kicking in quite quickly with bloating and I’ve had some PMT style cramping. I have a review this week as Gp is keeping an eye on the bloating. I’m tempted to try Utogestan and have heard vaginally they are more successful for bloating. Anyone any thoughts? This whole thing is such a conundrum x
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It's normally 12 days for utrogeston (days 15-26). If you were solely on patches you'd use the conti patches for 14 days so perhaps that's why he got confused. Twice a day isn't normal either but I don't suppose it makes much difference. Most people take at night as it can make you drowsy.
I wondered about that, thanks @sheila99
It says on the leaflet to take 100mg twice a day on an empty stomach, as food and the Utrogestan can cause drowsiness, apparently. If they cause drowsiness, I'm tempted to take them both at night to see if they help my sleep. :)
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Hi, I’ve been following this thread with interest. I am half way through my second box of Evorel Sequi having moved over from Femeston 1/10. The main reason I changed was due to bloating. This appeared fine the first month but I’m now finding the conti patches are kicking in quite quickly with bloating and I’ve had some PMT style cramping. I have a review this week as Gp is keeping an eye on the bloating. I’m tempted to try Utogestan and have heard vaginally they are more successful for bloating. Anyone any thoughts? This whole thing is such a conundrum x
I'm sure someone will be along soon who has experience of this, who can offer proper advice. Everyone seems to agree on the 3-month trial rule though.
FWIW, I didn't get bloating during my 3-month trial of Evorel Sequi, and the bleed was very different each time, but my mood swings stayed consistently wild, hence me switching to try Evorel 50 and Utrogestan oral tablets. I hope it settles down for you soon, the whole long process of trial and error can be very frustrating.
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Update: Nearing the end of month 4 of HRT, day 7 of my first lot of the Utrogestan tablets.
I noticed no difference for the first few days of Utrogestan, then the familiar mood swings started - angry, irritable, stressed, despondent, waves of hopelessness - and - this one is new to me - crying! For no reason!!! Literally crying over nothing. :o
I guess this is early days on the new Evorel 50/Utrogestan regime, so I'll stick with it.
Sorry if these updates are really boring, I'm finding it easier to keep track of my symptoms on here than on the apps and I really appreciate everyone who comes on comments with their own experience and advice. This forum is a bit of a godsend.
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Hello Ladies
A wee update from me.
I'm almost half way through my third month of Everol Sequi. The bloating keeps coming back and the weight I felt I lost last month is back on.
I had a couple of rough weeks after my AstraZenica so hard to tell how things were then.
I do feel my moods are perhaps a bit more stable and I feel slightly more positive and motivated - so I'll be pleased if that keeps improving.
Early morning cortisol is worse, sleep is much the same, sexual response IS WORSE and hot feet and legs the same. Brain fog and exhaustion are much the same as is my desire to retire at 46! I.e. now!
Any advice? I have my review on 23rd Jun.
Thanks
C
Xxxxx
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Update: Nearing the end of month 4 of HRT, day 7 of my first lot of the Utrogestan tablets.
I noticed no difference for the first few days of Utrogestan, then the familiar mood swings started - angry, irritable, stressed, despondent, waves of hopelessness - and - this one is new to me - crying! For no reason!!! Literally crying over nothing. :o
I guess this is early days on the new Evorel 50/Utrogestan regime, so I'll stick with it.
Sorry if these updates are really boring, I'm finding it easier to keep track of my symptoms on here than on the apps and I really appreciate everyone who comes on comments with their own experience and advice. This forum is a bit of a godsend.
Hi Periwhat?!
How are you this week? Xxx
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Hi Periwhat?!
How are you this week? Xxx
I'm feeling a *lot* better emotionally this week, thanks for asking, Cookie25.
I'm still not quite at the end of month#4 yet, but it does seem (touch wood) as though there may be fewer bad days in the cycle overall with Evorel 50/Utrogestan than I had with Evorel Sequi. And definitely definitely fewer bad days than with no HRT at all as my periods were frequent and unpredictable and then AWOL, which made me feel like the mood swings and other symptoms were harder to deal with. It also made them harder to identify.
So on balance there's more good than bad so far. I just wish there was a magic wand to make everything ok all at the same time!
How are you doing this week? xx
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Hello ladies.
PeriWhat? - Your description of mood swings resonated with me so much so that I could have written your post!
I take it that your moods were a problem before HRT but despite the Utrogestan you are now seeing some improvement?
From what you've said (and your user name lol) I assume that you are still in peri menopause and I find it interesting that we are dealing with similar emotional difficulties despite being at opposite ends of this blooming journey ( I am sixty four and it's been eleven years since my last period. I didn't use HRT for the first three years
but I have been experimenting with different methods ever since. I came off all HRT in July 2019 but I contacted Newson Health and started using Oestrogel, Utrogestan six months ago. I now have testosterone to add to the mix).
I am speaking with my doctor next week and reading your post has reassured me that mood issues are definitely part of the process for some of us and hopefully they will soon be defeated by our HRT!
Wishing you well.
K.
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Hi Periwhat?!
How are you this week? Xxx
I'm feeling a *lot* better emotionally this week, thanks for asking, Cookie25.
I'm still not quite at the end of month#4 yet, but it does seem (touch wood) as though there may be fewer bad days in the cycle overall with Evorel 50/Utrogestan than I had with Evorel Sequi. And definitely definitely fewer bad days than with no HRT at all as my periods were frequent and unpredictable and then AWOL, which made me feel like the mood swings and other symptoms were harder to deal with. It also made them harder to identify.
So on balance there's more good than bad so far. I just wish there was a magic wand to make everything ok all at the same time!
How are you doing this week? xx
Hi PeriWhat?!
Glad to hear you're doing a bit better. Hopefully things keep improving for you :-*
This is a bad week with the worst bloating I've had so far. My tummy is really protruding and my digestive system has been uncomfortable all week too. I'm also in that mood where I'm ok unless someone pushes my buttons and if that was to go too far I'd be in meltdown mode. I'm on my second half of the pack with a week to go. I have my review on 23rd so am keen to hear what is suggested xxx
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Hi PeriWhat?!
Glad to hear you're doing a bit better. Hopefully things keep improving for you :-*
This is a bad week with the worst bloating I've had so far. My tummy is really protruding and my digestive system has been uncomfortable all week too. I'm also in that mood where I'm ok unless someone pushes my buttons and if that was to go too far I'd be in meltdown mode. I'm on my second half of the pack with a week to go. I have my review on 23rd so am keen to hear what is suggested xxx
That sounds so uncomfortable, is it the HRT causing it, do you think? Or did you have it before?
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Hi
I’m new here and been reading through posts
As like you all .. peri menopause kicked in .. I expected a few hot flushes WRONG!!
I didn’t think half of this was actually peri based as docs kept saying was all long covid .. but I had a pattern way before I had covid of all these symptoms
So doctor as now put me on sequi patches
I’m 47 … all the symptoms for me have been happening for almost a year but more intense this year that’s why I went for help
I’m on month 2 and patch 3
I have noticed that palpitations have gone ( thank the lord ) most aches and pains gone ( was having different pains somewhere each day lol )
Weight gain was before the start of patches and I’ve added no extra pounds yet !!
Hot Flushes .. I still get them but not so intense but I can feel them and I stay hot for a long time then nothing
I never suffered with night sweats & only had one ever so that’s good for me by the sounds of it
Sleeping , I tend to have good & bad but much better since patch
Now the worse thing for me is aniexty .. I don’t know why or how this happened .. I thought I was going mad .. but since found out is symptoms of peri .. horrendous !!
I don’t get it as often as before starting patches but I do notice a pattern .. usually around ovalation & run up to cycle
Sore boobs on and off but deffo bigger boobs 😳
Fuzzy head .. I can not explain this but I feel I’m not all with it but I’m with it 😂😂 sorry it’s so hard to explain this but for me this and the aniexty is the worse.
I live in hope as I continue the patches
I did have a cycle in month 1 (just before I put patch 5 on which was my first Conti patch ) this month I’m on patch 3 so thinking is it gonna be the same ??
I know underneath all this HRT our own hormones are still acting up so I always put it down to that.
I’m sticking with it as doctor & pharmacist said these will help but will take time as our hormones have to level out with the HRT
All I want is to feel me again but most definitely somethings have changed since patch .. I can see the light I hope 🤞
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Hello ladies.
PeriWhat? - Your description of mood swings resonated with me so much so that I could have written your post!
I take it that your moods were a problem before HRT but despite the Utrogestan you are now seeing some improvement?
From what you've said (and your user name lol) I assume that you are still in peri menopause and I find it interesting that we are dealing with similar emotional difficulties despite being at opposite ends of this blooming journey ( I am sixty four and it's been eleven years since my last period. I didn't use HRT for the first three years
but I have been experimenting with different methods ever since. I came off all HRT in July 2019 but I contacted Newson Health and started using Oestrogel, Utrogestan six months ago. I now have testosterone to add to the mix).
I am speaking with my doctor next week and reading your post has reassured me that mood issues are definitely part of the process for some of us and hopefully they will soon be defeated by our HRT!
Wishing you well.
K.
Hi Kathleen! I'm no expert, but I'm certain the mood swings are hormonal. When I first went to my GP about the mood swings, I was 41 and hadn't even heard of perimenopause. It didn't occur to the GP at the time either and they gave me antidepressants, but they just made me feel flat and I didn't want to take them because I'd had depression in the past and I knew this wasn't the same feeling at all. I'm 45 now and had three months without periods before I started on HRT, so technically I am in peri.
They're definitely the same mood swings that are still with me now. The good thing that the HRT is doing so far for my mood swings is making them more regular, and therefore more predictable, so at least I can try to tell myself what's happening and that it will pass.
I really hope things will keep improving for us both... it's a long game, isn't it?! Good luck when you speak to your doctor next week and keep us posted on here please!
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Hi
I’m new here and been reading through posts
As like you all .. peri menopause kicked in .. I expected a few hot flushes WRONG!!
I didn’t think half of this was actually peri based as docs kept saying was all long covid .. but I had a pattern way before I had covid of all these symptoms
So doctor as now put me on sequi patches
I’m 47 … all the symptoms for me have been happening for almost a year but more intense this year that’s why I went for help
I’m on month 2 and patch 3
I have noticed that palpitations have gone ( thank the lord ) most aches and pains gone ( was having different pains somewhere each day lol )
Weight gain was before the start of patches and I’ve added no extra pounds yet !!
Hot Flushes .. I still get them but not so intense but I can feel them and I stay hot for a long time then nothing
I never suffered with night sweats & only had one ever so that’s good for me by the sounds of it
Sleeping , I tend to have good & bad but much better since patch
Now the worse thing for me is aniexty .. I don’t know why or how this happened .. I thought I was going mad .. but since found out is symptoms of peri .. horrendous !!
I don’t get it as often as before starting patches but I do notice a pattern .. usually around ovalation & run up to cycle
Sore boobs on and off but deffo bigger boobs 😳
Fuzzy head .. I can not explain this but I feel I’m not all with it but I’m with it 😂😂 sorry it’s so hard to explain this but for me this and the aniexty is the worse.
I live in hope as I continue the patches
I did have a cycle in month 1 (just before I put patch 5 on which was my first Conti patch ) this month I’m on patch 3 so thinking is it gonna be the same ??
I know underneath all this HRT our own hormones are still acting up so I always put it down to that.
I’m sticking with it as doctor & pharmacist said these will help but will take time as our hormones have to level out with the HRT
All I want is to feel me again but most definitely somethings have changed since patch .. I can see the light I hope 🤞
Hi Michelle, that's great news that you're seeing some improvements already. I'm finding it useful to keep track of things on here, hopefully it will be useful for you too. It feels ridiculous that we get more information by supporting each other on this forum than lots of us do from medical professionals, but thank god this is here!
I have very similar anxiety and concentration issues to you. Since I've started having conversations about peri and menopause with people, I've lost count of how many people have said things like, 'I thought I was going mad'! Let's hope things keep moving in a positive direction. Keep us posted on here if you can, it's really good for us all to know we're not going mad and we're not alone.
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Hi Michelle, your improvements since starting the patches sound amazing! Great start :-*
Hi PeriWhat?!
It's definitely the GET as I never had bloating before :(
Thank you everyone contributing to this thread, it's great to hear others experiences xxxxx
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Hi peri what & cookie
Thankyou for replying
I hope one day we can all come on here and say yayyyyyyy I’m normal again lol
I try and take each day as it comes & I think today is gonna be great & some days as you know are better than others
I’ve read a few posts where they say the aniexty took longer to sort out .. I’m good with that aslong as it goes away!! This fuzzy head feels like a headrush and we was thinking that maybe that’s one of my hot flashes as it comes and goes
You wouldn’t know I’m having a hot one .. only from my reactions anyway lol 😂 as I don’t go red and sweaty just intense heat where as my friends I know they are ..
It’s just amazes me how much we go through
I take my hat off to every women & I hope that we all see better days once we have got somthing that suits us.
Hang in there ladies .. it must get better :-*
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I hope so @Michelle7474 !!!
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An update from me in month #5 of HRT - Evorel 50 patches and Utrogestan tablets twice a day.
I took Utrogestan twice a day from day 15 to 26 of month #4 (this was my first cycle with Utrogestan) and... it's now 8 days since my last Utrogestan tablets and there's been no bleed at all.
No cramps, nothing, except feeling batshit crazy and emotional in the first few days of taking it!
Do I wait until I've done three full cycles with it to see if it changes and I get a bleed, or try to contact a GP now? Thanks in advance if anyone sees this. x
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Month 5, wk 3: I'm starting to wonder if Evorel 50 patches/Utrogestan pills are actually worse for me than the Evorel Sequi patches I started with.
Last week, before starting this month's Utrogestan, I had a couple of terrible dark mood swing days - I'm kind of scared to name what it is when I feel like this, but I'll bite the bullet and say it, it's suicidal thoughts, absolute doom and despair, unfounded fears - then a period/bleed came out of nowhere and ping, I'm buzzing and enjoying my life and feeling positive again.
I dunno if this is a 'real' period or something HRT has conjured up - the timing makes me think 'real'?
Anyway, I'm still having this period/bleed when I start taking this month's Utrogestan pills and, boom, I'm back down again. You know how people talk about a 'red mist' of anger? It's like a 'dark mist' of suicidal thoughts and bleakness that descends and masks my judgment.
I'm 100% sure it's not how I really feel at all and that I'm not really suicidal. I think it's the hormones and/or the Utrogestan.
The Utrogestan seems to add a lot of crying into the mix just for extra fun, my bladder/incontinence issues which had improved a lot on Sequi seem to be back and I'm not just a bit forgetful as with original peri symptoms, I'm forgetting everything - appointments, promises, things I've been told just five minutes ago... I'm starting to feel as though these pills are driving me mad!
Utrogestan does seem to have improved my sleep situation more, but I'm now so sleepy, I'm sleeping through two alarms every morning! I feel dozy all day. Be careful what you wish for, eh? Ha.
So perhaps Utro pills aren't for me, lol, but I don't want to accept that these mood swings can't be dealt with.
I am glad I know what's causing them, because if I hadn't been able to identify that, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be here now. I'm also aware I'm typing this on a 'down' day and am trying to stay rational in the middle of the dark mist!
Will post another update on a more positive day, hopefully soon.
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Wow PeriWhat?!
I think you need to speak to your prescriber urgently. This can't go on.
You can't hope that you'll always be able to rationalise the feelings as hormonal and not act on them, you need to get this addressed asap.
Take care & have an action plan in place for when you feel low ie call someone or call the Samaritans.
Keep us up to date xxxxx
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Wow PeriWhat?!
I think you need to speak to your prescriber urgently. This can't go on.
You can't hope that you'll always be able to rationalise the feelings as hormonal and not act on them, you need to get this addressed asap.
Take care & have an action plan in place for when you feel low ie call someone or call the Samaritans.
Keep us up to date xxxxx
Thanks Cookie25 - this is usually how I'm feeling when I skirt around the issue and call them "mood swings". It's dark. Possibly I might have thought everyone felt like this as, often, when I try to talk to people about it they'll sympathise but maybe say things that make me feel as though I'm making a fuss over nothing and I just need to get on with it. With a rational head one, they probably respond like this because I can't bring myself to say out loud what's really in my mind!
Your response has made me realise that the mood swings we all talk about aren't like this for everyone.
It's reminding me of having PND years ago. I was in a state, but every time I plucked up the courage to try to tentatively talk to someone about it, they'd laugh it off and tell me I was fine - because I can, usually unintentionally, do a really good job of presenting myself as fine and as someone who is coping - but I really wasn't ok at all.
Another pattern for me to be aware of!
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Yes PeriWhat?! Please don't let these feelings go on without getting help.
Did you manage to get in touch with your prescribed today? Xxx
Cookie25
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No, I have to contact them through an online form now. I got a text to say a GP would call me back before 6.30pm yesterday Friday but they didn't so I imagine it will be Monday now.
It's not a great response to someone having suicidal thoughts, is it?! Although, it did trigger an automatic question, asking if I had set a date, time or place and I said no, so... :o
I decided to stop taking the Utrogestan, because it all felt too much, so I need them to give me an alternative.
Maybe coincidence but I am feeling more positive today. Thanks for asking.
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How shocking PeriWhat?!
I cannot believe what our nhs service has come to. Please remember the Samaritans if you have a dip before Monday and just present at a&e if necessary!
Sending love & positive vibes xxx
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So sorry to jump in on this post, but I am new to this forum and my post from the other day hasn't been seen, so I am doing something wrong :'(
This was my post below - can anyone help me and also how do you post a new topic in the right area?? Thanks so much ladies xxx
Hi everyone, this is my first post so thanks for any help you can offer me.
I’m 58, last period 3 years ago. Had the usual hot flushes, no sweating, mainly at night and not terrible, just annoying waking up. A few years ago, I had aching feet mainly in the morning but that symptom has gone long ago. The symptom I still have and find the worst, is anxiety. So, I have started HRT on advice from my GP. She is very pro HRT. Also read everything on the Dr Louise Newson website and follow her Instagram.
So, I started slowly. Estradot patch 25 for 4 weeks. I’m now on Estradot 37.5 and have been for 4 weeks. I’m about to start the Utrogestan and will do so vaginally 3 times a week at night. (I’ve just had a pelvic scan and uterus is fine so I’m not worried about delaying the progesterone and did so on GP advice).
On the 37.5, I had 3 great weeks. Slept well, had no anxiety, best I have felt in a long while. I was actually amazed. However, not so now. My sleep is terrible. I fall asleep easily around 9pm but wake constantly after 1am. I’m about to start the Utrogestan (vaginally and 3 times a week as per GP). I am nervous about this because I have been told that this is the downside of HRT and if you are going to have issues, this is where it will occur. However, it is not an option of course to not take it.
I was worried about HRT but I have read so much on it now, and can see so many benefits. I am trying to to work out why the sleeping has gone downhill and is this making my anxiety rear it’s ugly head again ?? Lack of sleep is shocking and certainly wrecks your day.
I thought 37.5 was a low dose so surely I can’t have TOO much estrogen on board. Is it the delay in starting the progesterone maybe ?? Is it just overthinking this, causing bad sleep and my anxiety has resurfaced as a result ??
I’m so confused about what to do and beginning to regret starting HRT. But, I did not want to take Anti Depressants and felt this was a safer option with other health benefits. I am so tired of Anxiety, especially when I have no reason to be anxious !!
Sorry for the long post, but I am feeling lost and searching for answers on the internet is draining.
Look forward to hearing from you and thanks for reading x
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How shocking PeriWhat?!
I cannot believe what our nhs service has come to. Please remember the Samaritans if you have a dip before Monday and just present at a&e if necessary!
Sending love & positive vibes xxx
Thank you, this is so much appreciated! Another more positive day today. xxx
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So sorry to jump in on this post, but I am new to this forum and my post from the other day hasn't been seen, so I am doing something wrong :'(
This was my post below - can anyone help me and also how do you post a new topic in the right area?? Thanks so much ladies xxx
Hi everyone, this is my first post so thanks for any help you can offer me.
I’m 58, last period 3 years ago. Had the usual hot flushes, no sweating, mainly at night and not terrible, just annoying waking up. A few years ago, I had aching feet mainly in the morning but that symptom has gone long ago. The symptom I still have and find the worst, is anxiety. So, I have started HRT on advice from my GP. She is very pro HRT. Also read everything on the Dr Louise Newson website and follow her Instagram.
So, I started slowly. Estradot patch 25 for 4 weeks. I’m now on Estradot 37.5 and have been for 4 weeks. I’m about to start the Utrogestan and will do so vaginally 3 times a week at night. (I’ve just had a pelvic scan and uterus is fine so I’m not worried about delaying the progesterone and did so on GP advice).
On the 37.5, I had 3 great weeks. Slept well, had no anxiety, best I have felt in a long while. I was actually amazed. However, not so now. My sleep is terrible. I fall asleep easily around 9pm but wake constantly after 1am. I’m about to start the Utrogestan (vaginally and 3 times a week as per GP). I am nervous about this because I have been told that this is the downside of HRT and if you are going to have issues, this is where it will occur. However, it is not an option of course to not take it.
I was worried about HRT but I have read so much on it now, and can see so many benefits. I am trying to to work out why the sleeping has gone downhill and is this making my anxiety rear it’s ugly head again ?? Lack of sleep is shocking and certainly wrecks your day.
I thought 37.5 was a low dose so surely I can’t have TOO much estrogen on board. Is it the delay in starting the progesterone maybe ?? Is it just overthinking this, causing bad sleep and my anxiety has resurfaced as a result ??
I’m so confused about what to do and beginning to regret starting HRT. But, I did not want to take Anti Depressants and felt this was a safer option with other health benefits. I am so tired of Anxiety, especially when I have no reason to be anxious !!
Sorry for the long post, but I am feeling lost and searching for answers on the internet is draining.
Look forward to hearing from you and thanks for reading x
Hi ELM2712 it looks as though you have posted a thread elsewhere now, welcome to this forum, it's an amazing place for support. Please don't let my perimenopausal experience with Utrogestan in this thread worry you, we are all different and respond differently to every combo. I'm also sure it must be different whether you are peri/post. x
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No, I have to contact them through an online form now. I got a text to say a GP would call me back before 6.30pm yesterday Friday but they didn't so I imagine it will be Monday now.
It's not a great response to someone having suicidal thoughts, is it?! Although, it did trigger an automatic question, asking if I had set a date, time or place and I said no, so... :o
I decided to stop taking the Utrogestan, because it all felt too much, so I need them to give me an alternative.
Maybe coincidence but I am feeling more positive today. Thanks for asking.
Well. It seems hormone-related suicidal thoughts are not considered important enough to get even a phone call from a GP - obviously that automated question asking if I had set a date was key here. You would hope so anyway!
I just got this email response. Doesn't say what progesterone alternative the GP has decided to send to my nearest pharmacy. No opportunity for me to ask to speak to a specialist clinic, or to give any more detail. Not ready to think about the Mirena coil option yet as they terrify me, so I'll keep that in reserve for now.
I know the NHS is stretched and I truly do appreciate them, but also... really?!
"Thank you for your recent eConsult request. Your comprehensive answers have been very helpful. I agree that it sounds like you're getting side effects from the utrogestan. We know that this progestogen component can cause PMT-type symptoms so that fits with the mood swings you're experiencing. I'm glad to hear it's been helpful in managing some of your other symptoms. I suggest we stick with the same dose of oestrogen (which treats the symptoms) but an alternative progestogen and see if this suits you better. I've sent a prescription for three months supply to your chemist. Another alternative would be to have a Mirena fitted as the progestogen component which would reduce the progestogen side effects to almost nil. If this appeals please contact the practice to discuss further.
Take care,"
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I've just got back from the pharmacy to pick up my new prescription and I'm so angry.
The pharmacist was baffled because the GP had sent a prescription for a type of HRT - FemSeven - that they said has been discontinued.
"The GP really needs to speak to you," said the pharmacist... I know this, and I've been waiting for the GP to speak to me for a telephone consultation since Thursday when I filled out my online request for an appt because I was at absolute rock bottom, but they decided they didn't need to speak to me!
So I've come away with nothing because the only other thing they had was Evorel Sequi, which I've already tried and rejected because it didn't really improve the mood swings. In hindsight, it wasn't as bad as the mood swings on Evorel50/Utro. The pharmacist is going to email the GP to tell them to call me... they were as frustrated as me, it's such a farce.
I still have some oestrogen patches left on my last prescription, but I stopped taking the Utrogestan part of that prescription so I need a new progesterone option.
Are there really only two options for perimenopause now?? Evorel Sequi and Evorel50/Utrogestan
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I also had to talk about all my symptoms and what I'd tried in front of everyone in the pharmacy, while they tried to work out how they could help, which was embarrassing.
Fun times. Glad I'm in a more positive mental place to deal with this crap today than I was last week, today I'm just angry!
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Hi you could use Provera instead of Utrogestan x
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Hi you could use Provera instead of Utrogestan x
That's fantastic to know, thank you Dotty.
It's so hard to speak to anybody. I contacted the gp surgery again and a receptionist said Femseven wasn't discontinued at all, but may be unavailable at the pharmacy the prescription had been sent to... so they sent me a text with the reference no on it and said I could try calling any other pharmacy in my city to see if anywhere else had it.
It shouldn't be this hard, should it?!
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Hi PeriWhat?!
I get more and more frustrated with the nhs in each post of yours I read. In personal experience I am also finding the gp surgery doing less and less for their patients. We may survive covid but we will die of everything else.
I had a scary incident with my sight last August and was told by the optician that my scans were so bad that I'd be seen at the eye clinic within a fortnight... 2 phone calls a week and numerous emails from my optician and they still haven't given me feedback or seen me.....
My hubby filled out the online questionnaire for an appointment at the weekend to get the response in red - phone the surgery you need to be seen soon - to which the surgery told him to go to Boots....
It's terrifying.
PeriWhat?! Keep hounding them to refer you to the menopause clinic. Phone the receptionist every day!!!!! As I said before, remember the Samaritans or A&E xxxxx
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That's awful that you're waiting to be seen at the clinic, but doesn't surprise me, unfortunately.
I've just had some unexpected progress actually - not a conversation with a GP, but a GP has asked their surgery pharmacist to call me and offered some new treatment options. In order of recommendation:
1) oestrogen patch + Mirena coil (so the progesterone is not systemic, which I seem to be struggling with)
2) Femoston oral tablets
3) Timbolone (not HRT, synthetic)
4) oestrogen patch and progesterone pessary (sounds gross, but principle is same as #1, I guess)
The GP's pharmacist was very helpful on the phone, but said I should look on this website to help me make an informed decision, and tell them what I decide through the surgery group's online form, so I'll do that.
Wonder if anyone here has any positive experiences of the above combos for peri?
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I would go for 1 or 4. Transdermal is safer than oral. Is the progesterone pessary utrogestan or something else?
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I would go for 1 or 4. Transdermal is safer than oral. Is the progesterone pessary utrogestan or something else?
They didn't know, the pharmacist who was passing this info on to me said it was off license!
Thanks for the advice @sheila99.
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I think some people have been given cyclogest which is licensed for ivf but not hrt (similar to vaginal utrogestan). I wonder if that's it? IMO provera would be worth a try too, some people who were unable to get on with utro have been OK on it.
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Thanks @Sheila99 I've had some more progress that I've forgotten to put in this thread.
An actual GP called me in response to my (pretty desperate) online request for help that as you can see from this thread was fudged and botched a bit. It was a week after I'd made initial contact.
I had questions the GP couldn't answer about coils and vaginal progesterone, so they asked if I would like to be referred to the menopause clinic - YES PLEASE!!!! - and also gave me yet another prescription for now my third type of HRT - Tridestra - which is meant to tide me over until my menopause clinic referral comes through.
Tridestra is pills, not patches, and gives one HRT-induced bleed every three months. Perhaps the thinking is that if you're going to feel bad, at least it's only every three months? Unless your own hormones jump in of course!
The instructions for Tridestra say to stop taking cyclical HRT for seven days before starting Tridestra.
I'm so happy to be getting a referral to a menopause clinic. Fingers crossed the appt comes soon.
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Thanks @Sheila99 I've had some more progress that I've forgotten to put in this thread.
An actual GP called me in response to my (pretty desperate) online request for help that as you can see from this thread was fudged and botched a bit. It was a week after I'd made initial contact.
I had questions the GP couldn't answer about coils and vaginal progesterone, so they asked if I would like to be referred to the menopause clinic - YES PLEASE!!!! - and also gave me yet another prescription for now my third type of HRT - Tridestra - which is meant to tide me over until my menopause clinic referral comes through.
Tridestra is pills, not patches, and gives one HRT-induced bleed every three months. Perhaps the thinking is that if you're going to feel bad, at least it's only every three months? Unless your own hormones jump in of course!
The instructions for Tridestra say to stop taking cyclical HRT for seven days before starting Tridestra.
I'm so happy to be getting a referral to a menopause clinic. Fingers crossed the appt comes soon.
Wow brilliant PW! That is progress!!! Let us know how you get on xxx
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It feels really positive, Cookie, a massive step in the right direction! It might be a while before I get my appointment but I am feeling hopeful.
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Posting to remind future me that I started the new Tridestra HRT pills today, after ditching the Evorel 50 oestrogen patch a week ago.
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Let us know how it goes
Xxxxx
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Update time: Day 51 of the Tridestra oestrogen phase (it tells you on the pill packet, I haven't been counting!).
The positives from the oestrogen that I had previously are still there. I'd still like to get more sleep - I'd consider anything over 6 hours a night to be life-changing - but there's no doubt it's better than it was.
I am putting weight on. Clothes that were fine before Tridestra don't fit now so I wonder if the pills make you more prone to weight gain than the Evorel patches? But that's not too much of a worry, because moodwise, I feel stable so far, dare I say, positive. That'll be all the oestrogen! I was also fine with the oestrogen phases of the patches when I was on those, it was just the progesterone phases that were terrifying. I'm trying not to worry too much about how I might feel in the progesterone phase when that time comes.
I'm in the middle of a huge period/bleed that arrived without the dark PMT mood swing (haven't had one without THAT for a few years). Very heavy bleeding for three days - bleeding through a super plus extra tampon, plus a pad/period pants, plus clothes every couple of hours - but it is starting to slow now. I don't know how to tell if it's a natural body period, or something else, all I know is it can't be a progesterone withdrawal bleed, as I'm not up to that bit of the Tridestra cycle yet.
Not much else to report as the Tridestra was prescribed to "keep me going" until I got my first NHS menopause clinic appointment and I'm still waiting to find out when that will be. I'm on the list.
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Do you still need to take the progesterone part of Tridestra if you've had a bleed in the progesterone phase?
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Hi PeriWhat?!
It can get confusing but sequi is the right HRT for you at the moment. As you say you won't know when you reach post-menopause so the general guidelines are that you can swap to conti around about the age of 53/54.
The mistake your doctor made is surprisingly common - scarily - which is why it is always good to arm yourself with as much information as possible and not just trust what is given to you - well that's how I see things anyway with anything medical related ;D
I hope the Evorel helps with your symptoms. At your age then HRT is considered necessary as lack of oestrogen before the normal meno age of 51/52 can have a detrimental effect on both your heart and bone health. You are merely replacing what your body would have been making naturally.
Taz x
Taz2, I didn't know this either, so good to hear! I'm on Evorel Sequi atm.
PeriWhat?! love the name and great thread question, relevant to me too I think. Although I'm 51, I started sequi 2 years ago, and this month I've not felt so good, symptoms I remember from a couple of years ago, I guess that means it might be time for a change, or an increase in the oestrogen patch.
I haven't read the whole thread, so just responding to the earlier posts :-)
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News! I've finally got my first appt at the meno clinic. Tomorrow. It's only a phone call, but it's a start. I just have to find somewhere private where my kids can't overhear all the gory details now, which is the real issue with telephone appointments. It feels like it's been such a long route to get to this point, it's crazy. Feeling very positive.
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A positive day... the start of a new HRT regime as recommended by the specialist at the menopause clinic, so I'm all full of hope and trying not to think that it might be another three months before I feel human again, lol.
This time it's Oestrogel; Vagifem; and in a week I will get a Mirena coil fitted.
I'm trying not to think about the Mirena coil procedure either. :madeyes:
A prescription for Citalopram is also waiting in the wings for me if I need it as they suspect my anxiety isn't just down to perimenopause and I suspect they are right. I'll give this new HRT regime (fourth one this year!) a good try first though.
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Gooooooood Luck PW!
Sending love & good vibes!
Cookie25
Xxxxx
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Thanks, Cookie. Every time we start a new one we think, maybe this one will be The One, don't we?! We have to get there sooner or later. Or at least to a better point than we're at now. xxx
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I'm feeling really positive about this new regime.
I had my Mirena coil fitted at the menopause clinic yesterday and that went a lot better than I expected. The nurse clearly knew what she was doing and I was so grateful I was having it done there and not at a GP surgery where I haven't had the best experiences. There was a bit of local anaesthetic, which helped, a very odd sensation when the wings of the coil popped up and then nothing really except a tiny bit of blood spotting afterwards and mild period-type aches for a little while.
Keeping everything crossed that Oestrogel, Vagifem and Mirena will be the magic combo that works for me. No exaggeration, getting this right is going to change my life.
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An update on the Oestrogel, Vagifem, Mirena coil regime.
It's been going well. The horrible, crippling anxiety and dark mood swings have been improving a lot. I am still getting surges of it, which I think must be linked to my own hormones, but it's happening less often and is less extreme. No suicidal thoughts.
Sounds very dramatic now, which is a good sign, I think.
The meno nurse was 100% right about trying Mirena coil - I couldn't cope with any of the other types of progesterone I've tried.
At my review, she upped my Oestrogel dose to 4 pumps (update: a few days in and I am *buzzing* off this, feeling amazing, like a completely different person! Enjoying it very much for as long as it may last) and also recommended a low dose of Citalopram for the hormonal anxiety (I'll start this tomorrow).
The only downside is there appears to be a supply shortage of Oestrogel in pharmacies, but if it becomes impossible to get, I could try switching to Evorel 100 patches.
New regime is: 4 pumps Oestrogel, Vagifem, Mirena, Citalopram.
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Thank you so much for this thread, read from start to finish and relieved to know I am not alone. Started the evorel sequi patches back in August 2021 and the relief and improvement of symptoms was so great that I somehow managed to ignore the downsides. I have now reached the point of needing help though, I am fine and happy on the 50 patch but as soon as I switch to the conti my mood hits the floor, life is not worth living, no enthusiasm for anything, no energy just nothing and I have zero concentration. This seems to be getting worse as each month goes by but I have been in denial and scared to approach my gp in case I am taken off them completely as the benefits of sleep is just amazing. I no longer have the awful itchy skin like ants are crawling all over under my skin and the night sweats have gone. Most importantly for two weeks of every month I actually feel like I am worth the air I breathe.
Does anyone know if it is an option to use the 50 patch continuously? I feel when I ring the dr’s I need to have some ideas of options in my head and this forum has helped me scribble some notes down.
Thank you for reading sorry I am not the best at explaining things xx
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Assuming you still have a womb you need the progesterone. You could use the evorel 50 patch with a separate progestogen such as utrogeston.
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Thank you so much for this thread, read from start to finish and relieved to know I am not alone. Started the evorel sequi patches back in August 2021 and the relief and improvement of symptoms was so great that I somehow managed to ignore the downsides. I have now reached the point of needing help though, I am fine and happy on the 50 patch but as soon as I switch to the conti my mood hits the floor, life is not worth living, no enthusiasm for anything, no energy just nothing and I have zero concentration. This seems to be getting worse as each month goes by but I have been in denial and scared to approach my gp in case I am taken off them completely as the benefits of sleep is just amazing. I no longer have the awful itchy skin like ants are crawling all over under my skin and the night sweats have gone. Most importantly for two weeks of every month I actually feel like I am worth the air I breathe.
Does anyone know if it is an option to use the 50 patch continuously? I feel when I ring the dr’s I need to have some ideas of options in my head and this forum has helped me scribble some notes down.
Thank you for reading sorry I am not the best at explaining things xx
You're definitely not alone! There are options - I feel like I've tried most of them before reaching the one that works best for me (fingers crossed).
If you're intolerant to the progesterone part of HRT in patches, you could try Utrogestan pills as Sheila99 suggests. Another option is local progesterone like a Mirena coil.
In hindsight, I wish I'd been less scared of having the coil fitted and done it when it was first suggested to me. It would have saved a lot of upset and trauma from the other regimes. But you just don't know how you're going to react to something until you try it.
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Thank you after putting it off for what feels like forever I have just had a dr telephone app. Changing to Estradiol Gel and Utrogestan pills in 1.5 weeks. Feeling low and deflated and Googling shall I stop altogether can’t remember if I felt this bad before but I know I did 😢
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Thank you after putting it off for what feels like forever I have just had a dr telephone app. Changing to Estradiol Gel and Utrogestan pills in 1.5 weeks. Feeling low and deflated and Googling shall I stop altogether can’t remember if I felt this bad before but I know I did 😢
Fingers crossed your next regime helps you, Jay ne. It really is trial and error unfortunately. Keep us posted! x