Confused about which HRT Patch to try or to swap to gel

[KaliforniaDreamz]

I have tried FemSeven Sequi but the patches kept coming off and caused huge skin irritation where a little shower water would get in and cause welts. My butt looks like i am a fan of cupping... i had a terrible consultation with a GP who knew very little about my options and when i asked for gel told me i couldnt have it as i had skin irritation. Anyway i am due a phone call soon (she wouldn't book me in with the GP who has a special interest in menopause) so i want to be ready. I am 46, still having periods which had become irregular over the last 7 months. My mood swings were horrendous (wanted to die for 2 weeks of a cycle), heart palpitations and anxiety. Body felt VERY hot at times but rarely had night sweats. FemSevfen really helped with my mood and my boobs are very perky but the skin irritation was a nightmare. And i have gained weight... SO i am trying Evorel Sequi as a stop gap until the phone call. I've read as many posts on here as i can and the menopause matters site and Studds' site. What do you ladies think would suit me best - gel? and as i need progesterone how can i take that?
Also i have breast cysts which are nothing to worry about but should these be considered when being prescribed HRT?
Sorry for the essay and if anyone has time to advise me i would be very grateful.
Thank you.

I'm a bit surprised at how your GP is equating patches which have adhesive and gel which doesn't. They are different. You are reacting to the sticky stuff on a patch not the hormone.
Hardly rocket science is it?

Gel is rubbed or rather smoothed on your upper arm or inner thigh. The dose is about half a teaspoon , (1 pump) or 1 teaspoon (2 pumps which is the starting dose.) Some of us split that am and pm.

If you use gel you need a progestogen too. This can be the Mirena coil, or tablets such as Norethisterone, or Utrogestan, or Provera. The dose for these is online and on the info leaflets (usually 12 days per cycle.)

It's a case of seeing which one suits you best.

I don't think breast cycsts are an issue in themselves but you should keep up to date with mammograms.

You are also on the younger side for peri, and the risks of HRT don't kick in until around 51-52 which is the average age of meno. so you could use it for a good few years yet without worrying - it's working as a REPLACEMENT in someone your age for what you would have normally.

Thank you, Polly, i was really hoping you would come along! I felt so disheartened after that 2nd GP appointment, as i'd had high hopes for her, (i'm lucky to be at a great medical practice where the initial appointment with - a different GP - went well, although she didn't know loads about treatment options but was open to my suggestions about HRT as a treatment when i told her i didn't want anti depressants. My blood FSH levels did come back slightly elevated.)
I had wanted to avoid any tablets because i'd heard gel was better, avoiding the liver etc. Is there a gel fomr of progesterone available through the NHS?

. Is there a gel fomr of progesterone available through the NHS?

There is no form of gel progesterone anywhere. It doesn't exist. Evidently to get the right amount in a cream or gel we'd have to use a bucketful a day.

Ah ok that makes senses then the best option would be oestrogen gel and progesterone tabs

thanks so much.