HRT, Night sweats & Sage

[Mymenoname]

TLDR: is it ok to take both HRT (Novofem) and sage tablets?

Long version:

I have been on Novofem for about 6 weeks (having tried it briefly earlier this year and then stopping). So far, I have noticed that my day time hot and cold flushes have improved quite a lot, but my night sweats are still awful - either not improved at all or getting worse. I know that the official line is that it can take up to three months for HRT to take full effect, but I'm really loathe to wait for another six weeks to see if it works, and then if not, start the whole process again to see if a different type works any better.

So, I've heard that sage tablets can be good for flushes and night sweats and I'm wondering if I can take them on top of the HRT?

Yes of course you can take something like sage.

But you are right that you need to allow 3 months for the best effects of HRT.

What dose is Novofem? It's not one I've heard of anyway- what's in it and is it a sequential or continuous combined type?

Hi @JinglingHellsBells - thanks for helping me.

I take 16 tablets containing estradiol hemihydrate (1 mg) followed by 12 tablets of estradiol hemihydrate and norethisterone acetate (1 mg). According to the leaflet, it's sequential combined. There didn't seem to be any specific reason to put me on this particular version by my original doctor, other than the patches are apparently difficult to get hold of.

You've really got to give the HRT the full 12 weeks.

It's a normal type you are on and 1mg is a starting dose.

It doesn't always help in just 6 weeks.

Yes, you can try sage but that could easily take 4-6 weeks to help anyway and then you won't know whether to stop it or not to see if your sweats come back.

Thanks, @JinglingHellsBells Good to know it's a low dose and can go up if need be!

I need to take 10 x 1 mg of estradiol tablets a day. Do you take them all in one go or daily morn/noon/night? I'm unsure how to take them apart from to be taken with food, as they can make you feel sick🤔