Novofem prescription today, when to take first pill?

[clairedunphy]

I'm brand new to HRT, I'm 48 and still have fairly regular periods but lots of other peri symptoms. After a lot of research on MN and menopause matters etc I spoke to the GP who thankfully took me at my word and has prescribed Novofem after a BMI and blood pressure check.

So all great, I hope. But now that I've got them I'm not sure when to take the first pill? I've got PMT currently and all signs suggest that my period will arrive by the end of the weekend. Should I let that one happen naturally before I start? Does it matter? And if anyone has any other experiences that they would share I'd be most grateful.

I was so focused on actually getting the prescription that I hadn't really thought beyond it. Now I'm feeling a bit nervous!

TIA

Your 'period' on Novofem will typically start after you finish the white tablets (days 17-28?) and start the red (days 1- 16?) so you could start taking them when your period starts if you want to keep your period in the same monthly timeframe.

I take mine about an hour after evening meal as I like to think the peak oestrogen 'hit' will be while I'm in bed, which is when I need it most (hot flushes). I also prefer not to take them on an empty stomach.

Thanks so much for replying. Yes that sounds sensible, it says red pills are days 1-16 as you said, so if I take the first on my first day of bleeding I should in theory stick with a cycle roughly similar to what I'm used to?

How have you found it @CornflakeMum? Any surprises, or are you pleased you're taking it?

I was switched onto it from elleste duet due to HRT shortages. They are identical, so I haven’t had any problems. However I’m aware that transdermal (I.e. patches or gel) are meant to be a ‘safer’ form of HRT, however I’ve tried those in the past and couldn’t find a combination which worked for me, so I switched back to tablets.

They seem to work for me and I haven’t needed to increase from the 1mg low dose. I’m 54 and have been on them for about 5 years now!

That's encouraging! I too read that transdermal was potentially safer but the consultation was by phone in the middle of my work day so I didn't really get a chance for a full discussion with the GP. I also think the pills might be cheaper so the first option they're trying?

I'll see how I go, I have enough for 3 months and then a follow up appointment so I could always push for transdermal if I'm not getting on with them.

Yes, tablets are established (i.e. old!) first line choice for many GPs. The sad fact is that most GPs aren't clued up on the various HRT options though. You'll find out much more on these boards and on sites such as Menopause Matters.

For me the issue was the progesterone that was prescribed alongside the transdermal route - I had a very bad reaction to it and had to stop.
I'm now post-menopausal so have also tried continuous, rather than sequential HRT but again I found this didn't suit me.