Perimenopause - doctor has prescribed me ‘Evorel sequi’ transdermal patches. Bit nervous to try? Thoughts?

[Pleasegivemeyourwisdom]

A bit scared to try them,

any advice / thoughts ?

thanks!

Scared of what? The doctor isn't prescribing them for a laugh, they clearly think you will benefit from taking them.

Millions of women are on patches and find them very beneficial. If you find after a couple of months you feel no different, you can stop using them. Seriously, it's like being "scared" of taking ibuprofen for a headache or using an inhaler for your asthma.

What are you scared of? If you are having symptoms the patches will probably relieve them.

Following as I'm the same! The reason I'm nervous is the GP made a big fuss about blood pressure. I also had a blood test last week and my platelets are at the upper end of normal (still normal, but the upper end of it), which makes me more nervous about blood clots.

I also saw something about a trans woman who died from oestrogen patches, I know that it was a man who died, but all things make me nervous.

Having asked for advice here on hrt a while ago, and gotten some great replies, maybe I can continue passing it on. I got prescribed the tablets so maybe a bit different, but all I can say is, hrt is extremely helpful. Honestly. Yes you may have some side effects, but it is 100% worth it. Do talk to your gp about your concerns and questions. For many women , including for me, it has been an incredible improvement.

I understand the hesitancy, I don't get on with artificial hormones by way of the pill/coil etc so would feel the same way as you are OP. Sadly the only way you'll find out how well you'll get on with them is to go ahead and try them.

I'm on them. It's made zero difference to my blood pressure. I don't feel anything from them really..just much more like my old self..

I also saw something about a trans woman who died from oestrogen patches,

Transwomen are routinely using up to 400mcg worth of patches a day. Because they are not "replacing" their natural oestrogen they are lacking, they are trying to get a high level of hormones on board in an attempt to grow breasts or be more like a woman. There is also a thriving black market in patches and oestrogen supplements for transwomen, no checks on what is in these products and how they are being used.

This is scaremongering. Transdermal HRT for women, prescribed by a GP, is safe.

Thank you I’m watching these replies with interest!

@Stroopwaffels thank you for reassuring me, I did assume it would be very different, but I'm pretty anxious. I guess a blood clot would be my greatest fear, but feeling rubbish at the moment is affecting my quality of life, so will probably try the ones prescribed.

I've literally just googled and as stroop says, it seems transdermal patches are fine, even for women with a history of blood clots, as they don't increase the risk at all, so I feel more confident.

I'm sorry, but wtf has a man taking a female specific hormone treatment got to do with a woman being prescribed hormone replacement therapy? I honestly couldn't care less how many male idiots have adverse effects from a drug meant for women.

@Pleasegivemeyourwisdom please just give it a try. HRT has been a lifesaver for millions of women, including myself. Its very much safer now than in the early days, there are various different types to try (I'm on gel and pills which is perfect for me) so you can try something different if you dont get on with this one, and your doc will have prescribed because he/she thinks it will help you. Ignore the scaremongering.

I used to be on them - switched to another sort of HRT as I needed a higher dose. They were absolutely fine and really helpful in controlling my peri symptoms. And I’m someone who never got on with hormonal contraceptives and indeed struggles with most progesterones.

Hi Pleasegivemeyourwisdom did you start on the patches? If so how are you getting on. I am one month in so looking for people who might be further into their first 3 months. Thanks

I was very high risk of blood clots because of a genetic condition which affects clotting. When I was considering HRT because of exhausting hot flushes, my GP got advice from the consultant haematologist who’d diagnosed my genetic condition, and the word came back that transdermal HRT (patches or gel) conveyed no extra risk. My hot flushes stopped within 24 hours- it was a real quality of life issue and I wished I’d gone onto them sooner tbh. Started with gel but it was so messy and sticky; patches are much easier, I hardly notice them.

Did you find patches gave you relief to anything else or was it just for hot flushes that you wanted hrt. Thanks

HRT relieves most symptoms- anxiety, panic attacks, low mood, vaginal atrophy etc etc not just hot flushes. I've never had a hot flush but had every other symptom going which HRT has mostly sorted out.

Just popping on to say these patches have changed my life.

I started on Estrogel with lots of tips and hints on here (thank you all) & then moved on to Evorel50 and now I’m on 75. Honestly I’ve got my whole life back. It’s wonderful.

AgathaMystery thats good to hear. I live in hope for mine to help. I know after 3 months I can get an increase, so know it takes time.

For me, the patches just removed my hot flushes. I was hoping they’d improve anxiety, but they made no noticeable difference on that.

It’s probably very individual and worth tinkering with the dose. I had a lot of other things going on medically, and felt I didn’t want to take up more GP time, especially as I started HRT in the pandemic.