FemSeven Conti not available

[ohnofootballagain]

Hi everyone,

I started on these patches a few weeks ago. However when I got them from the pharmacy I could only get 12 patches as there is a shortage, and the manufacturers are not releasing new batches until Jan/Feb next year.

So my GP said start anyway as there’s nothing else as good.

I have been loathe to take HRT as I thought I was through the menopause (no period for 18 months) but oh my goodness, having taken it I realise I was still being affected by symptoms that have now stopped. Eg mood swings, tears, anger, foggy thinking, feeling outside & looking in in life...........you all know the stuff.....

Anyway I realise I’m going to be left with just 1 spare patch and run out the week I am back from holiday which makes me nervous. Occasionally a patch comes off early and needs replacing. I am going back to the docs in 2 weeks to discuss an alternative before my hols.

Just wondered if anyone has had to stop this due to lack of supply and what alternatives have worked or them if this one was working good.

I panicked at first because i had a bad experience with the Gel and worried that only FemSeven would work for me, but, My GP switched me to Evorel patches and i am actually happier with them. I had some skin irritation with FemSeven and diffuculty keeping them on ... i used tegaderm film over them in the end which helped them stay put, but did not help with the skin irritation. The Evorel stay put ...in fact they are sometimes difficult to get off ! They are also tidier looking because you change them twice a week which i prefer. Plus i have ZERO skin irritation with Evorel so it must have been the FemSeven adhesive causing that. The oestrogen in Evorel and FemSeven is the same, the Progesterone is different... i had some PMT with FemSeven but am fine with Evorel. I wont be switching back.

The progestogen in that patch is unique- it's not in any other HRT but you COULD get it with the Mirena coil (that's what it's coated with.)
If you are sticking with HRT longer term maybe ask about using the Mirena plus estrogen as gel or a patch?

I’ve been trying to get the Femseven sequi patches for a couple of weeks now. Been on them a year - they make me feel like me again. I have a call from the doctor this morning (like gold dust round here - had to beg) so fingers crossed he lets me have something else. Will request the evorel and let you know how I get on.

Hi All . Apart from fenseven conti and everol conti are there any similar patches to try or alternatives that do not produce a monthly bleed. TIA

I've been on Evorel Conti patches for some time now, with no issues.

However, when my GP issued a new script on Monday (11th February) for my next 6 months, the pharmacy informed me that they cannot get them.

Today (Wednesday 13th February) my GP changed my script to FEM7 (jokingly blaming the issue on "brexit") , but when we went to the pharmacy, I was told that there are supply issues with Fem7 patches as well!!

HELP!!!!!! I use my last patch next Monday (18th), meaning that I need to replace my script by Thursday 21st February at the latest.

I am at a loss at what else I can try, as my GP is concerned about the higher "female cancer risks" of other forms of HRT, and as there has been female cancers in my family, my GP wont change to tablets!

Oh god. I thought the femseven oestrogen patches were still available? I’m seeing my GP tomorrow, and was going to ask for them, plus a separate but continuous progesterone like Utrogestan, until Femseven Conti comes back into production if it ever does. What now?

@RachR2409
I am at a loss at what else I can try, as my GP is concerned about the higher "female cancer risks" of other forms of HRT, and as there has been female cancers in my family, my GP wont change to tablets!

Oh FFS! Another useless GP! Honestly I despair at the lack of training and rubbish spouted by GPs as shown by almost EVERY post on this forum.

Ironically, 'other' forms of HRT are safer!
There is NO difference in cancer risks between pills or patches.
Your GP is talking bollocks.

The difference is transdermal HRT and pills is to do with stroke.

As I said, ironically, other forms compared to Evorel are safer.

Buried in the research behind the NICE guidelines (I know this as I am a medical author) there is a risk order of the progestogens.

Highest to lowest breast cancer risk.
1 MPA
2 Norethisterone ( in Evorel and most HRT)
3 Dydrogesterone (in Femoston only)
4 Micronised progesterone (brand name Utrogestan.)

I'd see another GP. Yours is clueless.

I chased gain yesterday, and received a statement from the vendor, that the two patches Evo and Combi - are both now available. I therefore went to five pharmacies and none of them had any and said it was still unavailable for order - so would be interested to know if anyone has managed to find any?

False alarm - seems the information I was given was incorrect from an individual at the company. When I contacted them again after two more pharmacies telling me they couldn't order them - back to business as usual not available and no date when they will be. available. It doesn't inspire confidence.

I have come back from the GP with a prescription for femseven oestrogen only patches and utrogestan 100mg continuous. Really nice GP but admitted she didn’t know much about it all and asked me how I knew so much about it, when I had to correct her on the dosage! I’ve taken the decision to register with a private menopause specialist GP. I’m just so sad menopausal women are such low priority for primary care training and updates.

Another person who is trying to get hold of Fem7 Sequi here! I did however get 2 of 3 months supply from my local pharmacy and discovered about the manufacturing issues. I had decided to leave the 2 months supply and see if I could get hold of more. Came home and googled then sent DH back to the pharmacy to get it!

Dr told me as I will have been on it 4 years this year she'd like to think about weaning me off it. She said she'd work out whether oestrogen cream and progesterone tablets might be better. I need to do my research too. New Dr and I didn't really like her. Private menopause GP sounds worth investigating too.

FemSeven Conti user here, on my second week of Evorel and all my symptoms have returned, of which insomnia being the worst. Can we set up some kind of national alert so that if FemSeven come back online and pray god they do, we can alert one another? I’m so not joking

Please can everyone let each other k ow when Femseven Sequi cones available. I am desperate. I only have 1 month supply left tganks

Reporting back after appointment with private menopause specialist GP. I feel so much more reassured. She gave me a full hour, really discussed my history and was very knowledgeable, sensible and sanguine about HRT. I’m going to try the FemSeven oestrogen only patches with the utrogestan as a conti regime (I have successfully filled this prescription from my NHS GP, so the FemSeven oestrogen only patches are still available) and if this doesn’t suit me, we talked about the Mirena coil. All the time, meanwhile keeping an eye on when/if FemSeven Conti comes back into supply. I’m nervous about the change as FemSeven Conti suits me so well (I have a few weeks supply left) but at least I now feel I have someone looking after me who knows my history. I recommend it for anyone whose GP is still giving them a hard time about being on HRT at all, or simply hasn’t got up to date information.

How did you source this private memo GP?

Meno

I think I found her from the Newson website www.menopausedoctor.co.uk If you want the specific Doctor I saw, can PM you the details. I’m in London.

There is also a list of specialists in menopause on the BMS site.

thebms.org.uk/find-a-menopause-specialist/

You need to do your homework if you are looking for a specialist. Some are more expert than others in menopause and - unless you are getting nowhere with your GP or have special circs,- the drugs will be the same as from your GP. BUT you do get time, advice and hopefully expert input.

Was in Boots yesterday and was given 1 month of Elleste Duet 1mg tablets as pharmacist said they haven't been able to get a supply since before Christmas, and haven't been told when product will be available - anyone else had similar (I'm in Scotland, don't know if that makes a difference).

Elleste Duet: Are they non-prescription?
Rosenpants: I’m in the north. But cheers for pointer.

I was given a replacement for Evorel, a tablet instead of patches, and again went through a plethora of pharmacies: it was out of stock with all. Meanwhile, as the early morning anxiety (while wearing Evorel) was through the roof I ripped off the patch at some ungodly hour. So I am now coming down off the remains of Evorel, the FemSeven having become only a memory.
Absolutely pig sick of haunting the surgery, soliciting prescrips for HRT that either jams my wires or doesn’t exist. I’m starting to think The Universe is interceding. But in reality I don’t care whether I’m on or off the damn stuff just so long as that early morning anxiety, which is a new thing, fucks the fuck off.
Yrs
Demented of W Yorks

Oh potty commiserations
I think the benefit of the private appointment was as PP said above, the time and the options for discussion from someone who knows their stuff and was really sensible about interpreting the research instead of panic mongering.

Good afternoon Ladies I too am bemoaning the withdrawal of femiseven sequi/conti patches and find nothing else is comparable I am now on Elleste duet 2 mg tablets, which I hate, and after 18 months of no periods I now have them constantly. Have been on Elleste for 6 months and am thinking of coming off them to see where I am at with the Hot flushes which were debilitating before, (I doubt I'm any better off yet though but I'll give it a try !) as many of you also seem to find. I rang the number which is on a post further down this thread 03330096795 to speak to the new manufacturers Theramex still out of production but according to to receptionist (who was clearly reading from a script)they are in the process of formulating a new version of the patch which has yet to go through rigorous testing and won't be available to the market until completed which sounds likely to be quite some time When pressed she said they had been withdrawn simply because of adhesive failure / issues which given the amount of ladies mentioning the issue and I myself having endless problems with getting the bloomin' things to stay stuck, seems really plausible.My GP used to prescribe me 6 months worth just to get me through 3 months of usage (so a waste of NHS funds etc ) the adhesive was absolutely useless and yet I don't have greasy skin etc I used to apply them sensibly, but the minute I had a bath it would just curl and fall off . Just to mention something that doesn't get aired very often when I was first put onto HRT originally it was in tablet form my Gall bladder literally exploded within 6 months and had to be removed once it had calmed down I was put onto femseven patches immediately as my doctor admitted that he knew there was a direct link between HRT Tablets and Gall Bladder problems so all you ladies out there who still have your gallbladders please be aware and if you have a rich diet you may wish to change it --- there's lots on the internet about HRT Tablets/ Gall bladder but it doesn't seem to get mentioned much, if at all, in these forums. I am now on Tablets simply out of desperation because Femseven is no longer manufactured and I couldn't face the devastating effects of the Menopause whilst setting up a new restaurant business :( .Does anybody out there have a good patch the recommend since Femseven clearly isn't going to around for quite some time . Thankyou x

@Ellie345
The progestogen in the patch that you had is the same as in the Mirena coil. There is no other way to 'get ' it.
You could use the Mirena and a transdermal estrogen (patch or gel.)

Good evening ladies - thought I would share with all the letter I have just received today from Amish K Mehta CEO Theramex which was in reply to a letter I sent several months ago concerning non-availability of Femseven transdermal HRT patches.
‘ We have every intention of bringing Femseven family of Products back to the market & are doing everything in our power to restore supply as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, because we are dealing with some technical challenges that relate to the manufacturing of the product,we are unable to confirm the exact availability date”

I assume this is the issue with the adhesive not sticking.....as other contributors have already commented upon this could be a very long wait. [depressing]. Is there a risk that Femseven oestrogen only patch could also run out?? I am fed up to the back teeth as I am using patch with norithisterone/oestrogen& have bled every day for 3 months now.

Thank you