Due to start HRT, what is better, gel/patches?

[forfeksake]

Hi everyone

I am 57, last period was November 20 and have finally hit a brick wall finding life so miserable with symptoms.

I have an appointment with a private menopause clinic doctor and would be grateful for peoples experiences with types of HRT.

I have suffered migraines for years, so understand topical HRT is required, but what is better, gels or patches?

Will I get continual or sequential?

What about Testosterone, is that prescribed initially, or not until you have tried Oestrogen?

Thanks for all your advice/experiences.

Sue

Hi I've been on the HRT gell for 3 months now and its transformed my life! I was getting 10-12 hot sweats a night and really struggled to function during the day.
After a couple of weeks of one pump of gel rubbed into top of arm or inside the thigh the sweats have totally gone and the progesterone capsules I take in the evening really help me get a good 8 hrs sleep.
No side effects so far either!

I have suffered migraines for years, so understand topical HRT is required, but what is better, gels or patches?

Gel or patches are now the first choice by specialists for all women as they have a lower risk of clots. The Migraine Trust advises it's fine for women to use HRT and I don't think they specify a type.

Gel or patch is your choice. I've used gel for 12 years. The benefit is no nasty patch telling everyone you are using HRT (!), you don't get the black sticky line when you take it off, and you can adjust the dose from very low to medium/ high to see what suits you, rather than going back to the dr for a different dose patch.

Will I get continual or sequential?
They will offer continuous as you are more than 12 months post menopause. However, I have continued to use sequi. The reasons are there appears to be a very slightly lower risk of cancer and also I felt rubbish on continuous progesterone. You may have to ask for sequential as not all drs will offer it.

What about Testosterone, is that prescribed initially, or not until you have tried Oestrogen?

You don't use that until you see how you are on estrogen. You may not even need it.

Gel. Saw Dr Panay 5 years ago. Made a big difference

I'm due to go to GP soon to get my next batch. Had a hysterectomy 5 years ago so have been on oestrogen since then but in tablet form. My doctor told me that I was on a low dose and didn't want to give me a higher one but this time I will be asking for a gel or patch for sure.

I know I'm not taking quite enough as I have weeks of feeling good and then weeks feeling knackered, hot and heart beating fast on and off and headaches.

Don't get fobbed off with tablets.

Mirena coil a couple of years back to sort horrendous periods. Started oestrogen only patches a couple of months back plus betablockers as utterly miserable; night sweats pounding heart insomnia, alternating with daytime panic attacks/constant existential dread. Really felt very unwell. Just upped the hrt to 100mug patches as wasn't getting consistent sleep. Downside sore boobs and can't drink alcohol (sleep disturbance s) but I,d prefer that to feeling suicidal. Libido still MIA.
Good luck.