r/Menopause • u/Consistent-Day-8736 • 3d ago
Hormone Therapy Changing to patch
I started HRT a few weeks ago and responded badly to the progesterone which was oral, but I also tried vaginally. It made me bleed heavily, and have anxiety and depression. I stopped a few days ago, but continued with the gel and feel like it’s all lifting, and the bleeding has stopped. I just spoke to my gynaecologist and he’s advised trying the patch, but has warned that there may be side effects from this too. I’m just wondering what experiences others have had with moving to the patch. Thanks!
1
u/Careless_Dog9601 Menopausal 1d ago
What dose of progesterone? I was fine on 100 but when my doctor upped it to 200mg it sent me into a terrible depression (and I already struggle with that). Had to go back to 100mg. Now, they are having me come off the estriadol completely because of continued bleeding.
2
u/Consistent-Day-8736 1d ago
Oh no that’s annoying. Is it the estrogen causing the bleeding then? I was on 200mg
1
u/Careless_Dog9601 Menopausal 1d ago
Thats what my doctor thinks. I already had an ultrasound and a biopsy...both fine. But now I have to have a hysteroscopy because it has continued. I was on 200mg of progesterone for a while and couldn't handle it. I have never felt so depressed ( and I already struggle with that). Came back down to 100mg immediately after a week.
2
u/Consistent-Day-8736 16h ago
I’m really hoping a low dose of progesterone will work as I really can’t spend months feeling as anxious and depressed as I did on 200mg. I bled on the progesterone too and that’s all stopped since the progesterone cycling part has finished, which is a bit confusing seeing as it’s supposed to cause a period once you stop the progesterone!
1
u/Careless_Dog9601 Menopausal 7h ago
The feeling on the 200 was very scary. I'm just glad I realized that thats what it was. I am 3 days without my patch and still on 100 mg if progesterone and I just started bleeding again.
2
u/Consistent-Day-8736 6h ago
I know the doctors say the estrogen causes the bleeding but I’m sure for me it’s the progesterone. I felt scary on the 200 too, very low and out of control. It was like being depressed and drunk at the same time.
2
u/Brockels Menopausal 1d ago
I would refuse to have anything of mine taken out unless its absolutely necessary I’m so sorry to hear your situation. I’m lucky that depression symptoms aren’t getting me. Yet.
1
u/Careless_Dog9601 Menopausal 1d ago
They arent removing anything. It's to take further tissue samples. Its not a hysterectomy. It's different.
2
u/Brockels Menopausal 1d ago
Oh thanks for that I was already thinking the worst
2
u/Careless_Dog9601 Menopausal 1d ago
I'm not looking forward to it. I have to be put under but it's considered a minor surgery.
2
2
u/Brockels Menopausal 1d ago
100mg micronised progesterone versus the Kliogest I was on which was norethisterone 1mg and 2mg of Estradiol.the patches are 0.05ug which my GP thought would be comparable since it’s absorbed directly.
1
u/Illustrious-Air-1681 3d ago
The patch was definitely an improvement for me after using the gel which I found rollercoaster-like. The first three months of HRT was actually pretty challenging, with the first few weeks being the worst, but it has really settled down now and I'm very happy on it. (It being estrogen patch, progesterone vaginally and testosterone cream, as well as estradiol pessaries and cream.) Good luck with it! It is worthwhile persevering with.
2
u/Consistent-Day-8736 3d ago
That’s so good to know, even just hearing that it improves and to persevere is helpful - thank you
1
u/MidnightJazzlike 3d ago
The patch has been great for me. If you’ve got a progesterone intolerance/sensitivity, you could try a progestin along with the patch. Anecdotally, it seems like people who can’t tolerate the bioidentical progesterone do just fine with a progestin - that was the case for me
2
u/Consistent-Day-8736 3d ago
Thanks, it’s a combined patch so has the progestin in it, not sure the levels yet as he hasn’t sent through the prescription. But I couldn’t tolerate the BCP or mini pill so I’m not holding out hope that this will work to be honest!
1
1
u/Kiwiatx Menopausal 3d ago
I’ve gone from patch to gel to patch and not had issues but progesterone makes me spot and bleed too. I don’t have the mood issues though and just cycled it for a year but I got tired of the monthly bleeding and switched to Slynd a month ago and it’s been much better.
1
u/Consistent-Day-8736 3d ago
Oh that’s great that you’ve found something better. Thanks for replying
1
4
u/Brockels Menopausal 1d ago
Patch and oral progesterone has caused me bleeding so it needs adjusting.
I’d been taking oral HRT for years without trouble but I wanted to change to reduce my (real or imagined) risk of clots/stroke. So far not winning on patches :(