To miss out the Conti patches of my Evoral HRT?

[AnightwiththeTiger]

Or at least cut them up? The progesterone bit is sending my anxiety THROUGH THE ROOF. I’ve swapped over to the Serqui patch early and feel way better.

im hoping to see my gynaecologist soon but in the meantime, am I doing the right thing? Or would I be better trying to buy oestrogen and whacking a bit of that on, on the Conti days?

please help!

Please don't do that. You need your womb lining protection. Better stop it all and find a progesterone that suits you better. Oestrogen without progesterone isn't safe.

How is it not safe? I thought there were women who only took progesterone without oestrogen.

How has no one told you why you're on the progesterone?

No. I was just prescribed this and for the first few months it was grand but the progesterone bit is making me upset.

Oestrogen with an incorrect level of progesterone can double your risk of ovarian cancer.

I've been trying to get the right balance with my HRT, was prescribed an Oestrogen only patch, and progesterone tablets for weeks 3 &4. It also came with a VERY clear message from my Dr about making sure I took the progesterone tabs at the right time and level as it was dangerous not to.

You can only use oestrogen without progesterone if you've had a hysterectomy. Oestrogen without the progesterone increases the risk of cancer of the uterus. There are lots of different ways to get the progesterone component though so hopefully your gynaecologist or GP can help.

I'm a GP.

PLEASE don't omit your progesterone.

The oestrogen part of HRT controls the symptoms of menopause (flushes/sweats etc). It also encourages the endometrium (lining of the womb) to proliferate. If this isn't controlled it can lead to endometrial cancer.

Progesterone is used to keep the proliferation of the endometrium in check so you MUST have progesterone in your HRT unless you've had a hysterectomy.

Please don't omit it but do get back in touch with your prescriber to ask about alternatives. There are other types of progesterone that some women get on better with (eg micronised progesterone, sometimes called 'body identical' progesterone because its structure is identical to the body's own progesterone).

Have a look at this excellent website, produced by a gynaecologist, for more info
www.menopausematters.co.uk/index.php

Also a GP and prescribe alot of HRT. please listen to what @DuaneBenzie has said.

You can, though, take your progesterone in the form of a Mirena coil. That way you end up with a lower, continuous dose of progesterone and continuous oestrogen. Womens' experiences of Mirena are varied, some do suffer anxiety or depression on it, but IME it has been completely worthwhile.

As another option… You can take the mini pill (progesterone only) and then utrogestan- 100mg per night continuously rather than the cycling 200mg many take. Lots of women find this works better for them. You can take oestrogel alongside this (for oestrogen). You need the progesterone if you have a womb as others have said.

I’m seeing my Gynae next Monday, so hopefully we can came up with a plan. I think I respond weirdly to progesterone. I was on the mini pill about 25 years ago and hated it. Was on normal pill, hated that. Don’t want mirena cos want something instantly reversible.

I got on SO well with Evoral until the last couple of months. It’s just the Conti bit where I struggle. Can’t I just cut them to reduce the dose? Is there a minimum amount I need for protective purposes?

Mini pill did not agree with me, either.