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Menopause

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Original poster

Starting HRT at last - excited but nervous and hoping I’m not expecting too much!!

20 replies

Strumpetpumpet · 07/07/2021 20:12

I went to my GP in 2016 when I was peri menopausal, and she basically fobbed me off and told me to eat more soya 😱I’m now 53 and properly menopausal and have struggled with symptoms for years but didn’t dare go back to the GP!

Having watched the Davina McCall programme and done some of my own research, and having a dreadful weekend of anxiety and no sleep I contacted my GP on Monday (same surgery, different doctor and a male this time) and got a prescription with ease, he was so lovely.

He’s prescribed me Femseven conti patches which I’m going to start tomorrow. Im expecting a miraculous transformation 😂 so I might be setting myself up for disappointment but it’s got to be worth a try.

If anyone’s tried these patches and has any advice (how on earth do they stay on all week?!) I’d be very grateful xx

OP posts:
Ietthemeatcake · 07/07/2021 20:28

I'm about 3.5 weeks into using the Evorel Conti patches which I have to change twice a week. No issues with them coming off. I've put them up at the top of my leg or on my hip and made sure the skin is bone dry before applying.

My sleeping is better and I'm not waking up hot in the night. The brain fog is improving. Still got bloody awful tinnitus, but the Dr said I need to give it 3 months.

Good luck OP

Original poster
Strumpetpumpet · 07/07/2021 20:54

That’s great to hear, glad you are seeing some improvement and thanks for the reassurance about keepin the patches on xx

OP posts:
seasonalremarks · 08/07/2021 12:54

I felt good for a few months but have all the symptoms again. Could be long covid I suppose.

I hope you see some improvements soon. I felt better after a 6 weeks.

Ginsmything · 08/07/2021 13:01

I have been on Everol conti patches for 15 years. Went through menopause early at 43 and have never had any problems with them. No symptoms at all (I suffered from terrible hot flushes) I will keep on them for some more years yet and when ready will gradually wean off them. My GP surgery is super supportive, all the doctors I have seen have not questioned my wish to continue with HRT as long as I wish.
I also change my patch twice weekly and very rarely has it come off.
I hope you have a good experience too!

BelindaBumcrack · 08/07/2021 14:58

I started Femseven Conti exactly a week ago. The horrific night sweats stopped straight away, which was fantastic, and haven't reappeared. I still get the odd hot flush but not as many as before. I'm sleeping better but am still tired and the brain fog hasn't lifted yet. So far I'm very pleased. I was expecting it to take a lot longer for me to start feeling any better. I hope it works as quickly for you too!

I bought some dressing tape to keep the patch attached as it started lifting after a couple of days.

Original poster
Strumpetpumpet · 08/07/2021 17:20

@seasonalremarks

I felt good for a few months but have all the symptoms again. Could be long covid I suppose.

I hope you see some improvements soon. I felt better after a 6 weeks.

Sorry to hear that, hope they ease again xx
OP posts:
Original poster
Strumpetpumpet · 08/07/2021 17:21

@Ginsmything

I have been on Everol conti patches for 15 years. Went through menopause early at 43 and have never had any problems with them. No symptoms at all (I suffered from terrible hot flushes) I will keep on them for some more years yet and when ready will gradually wean off them. My GP surgery is super supportive, all the doctors I have seen have not questioned my wish to continue with HRT as long as I wish. I also change my patch twice weekly and very rarely has it come off. I hope you have a good experience too!
Thank you for replying, that’s great to hear x
OP posts:
Original poster
Strumpetpumpet · 08/07/2021 17:23

@BelindaBumcrack

I started Femseven Conti exactly a week ago. The horrific night sweats stopped straight away, which was fantastic, and haven't reappeared. I still get the odd hot flush but not as many as before. I'm sleeping better but am still tired and the brain fog hasn't lifted yet. So far I'm very pleased. I was expecting it to take a lot longer for me to start feeling any better. I hope it works as quickly for you too!

I bought some dressing tape to keep the patch attached as it started lifting after a couple of days.

Great to hear that, my first night tonight and the lack of sleep has probably been my worst symptoms so hoping for some relief. Not wanting to murder everyone on a fairly regular basis would be a good outcome too 😱 x
OP posts:
Original poster
Strumpetpumpet · 08/07/2021 17:23

And thanks for the tip re dressing tape, I’ll make sure to have some around x

OP posts:
GinaMichelle · 08/07/2021 19:34

I’m in the U.S. so I think prescription names are different, but I’m really surprised to hear a doctor would allow you to suffer for years! I’m so sorry… I am 48 yo and have been fully menopausal for one year now.
My gynecologist prescribed 200 mg Progesterone for my sleep problems. She says it works for about 50% of women and I can’t remember the last time I have slept this well. I use Estradiol Patch 0.0375 mg twice a week. I find if I use an alcohol wipe on my skin before sticking it on it helps. I had one come off in the shower once and during sex once. I have chronic back pain and I use heating pads so I must wear them on my stomach in the front versus my backside. If it comes off put it back on and heat it with a hair dryer and hold it for a few seconds and will usually re-stick. I am still having vaginal dryness so my doctor added Yuvafem 10 mcg. Vaginal tablet insert to my HRT last week. I haven’t been on it long enough to see improvement yet, but fingers crossed. I saw improvement from the patch within 4-6 weeks of use. Good luck and don’t suffer for too long if it doesn’t work for you, there are too many options for women to be forced to suffer through symptoms!

Ozziewoz · 08/07/2021 19:43

I use Elleste Solo HRT patches, and I love them. O change them every 3-4 days. I have no symptoms at all. I can sleep, headaches gone, no hot flushes, no night sweats. Don't put on a moisturised area, as I found they come straight off. But they stick on really well, and peel off easily without removing your skin.

BelindaBumcrack · 09/07/2021 21:41

@Strumpetpumpet

And thanks for the tip re dressing tape, I’ll make sure to have some around x
Hi Strumpetpumpet - following my experience I retract my advice. The dressing tape was a disaster. It didn't stick at all well and my patch peeled off and stuck to itself after 1 day, which means I'm on week 2 and having to use patch 3. The better option is plaster strips which I have raided from our first aid box, the fabric ones are the best. They don't budge!

How are you getting on? Have you noticed any improvements?

Original poster
Strumpetpumpet · 10/07/2021 14:30

Oh dear - thanks for the tip! I’m wondering how on earth I’ll keep it on for a week 😂 48 hours in and not really noticed any effects yet but it’s early days xx

OP posts:
MenopauseCake · 14/07/2021 23:42

Hello strumpet how's it going a few days in? I'm just about to slap on my first patch and pop the first progesterone pill. Fingers crossed 🍀

BooseysMom · 15/07/2021 09:09

Never heard of Femseven conti..I was given Evorel conti and sequi patches but they irritated my skin and I had stabbing pain in my breasts so now I'm on Oestrogel (2 pumps daily) and Utrogesten tablets for 12 days every cycle. I've been on this regime for 2 months and thought I was feeling better but then when I start the tablets I get occasional dizzy spells, nausea, aching joints and insomnia. May have to go back to gp Sad
Good luck with your HRT op.

Original poster
Strumpetpumpet · 16/07/2021 17:09

Hi on day 9 today and I think my anxiety levels may have reduced slightly but it might be wishful thinking. Haven’t noticed any other improvements yet but hoping it’s still early days! On a positive note, patches have stayed on without problems so far…!
Hope everyone is doing ok x

OP posts:
olivesnutsandcheeseplease · 20/07/2021 18:05

I've just started evorel Conti/ sequi patches and so far my fatigue is better. Having a hard time keeping them on though, it's so blinking hot at the moment - going to try fabric plaster round the edges

BooseysMom · 21/07/2021 05:26

Yes I had this problem! Hope they work for you. I'm on holiday with the period from hell and the HRT I'm on does nothing to help the periods ..I will have to go back and ask for a coil I think

Ozziewoz · 17/08/2021 15:35

I have a coil (hormonal) and have Elleste Solo patches for HRT. I am absolutely loving it. I have no more headaches, no more flushes, no mood swings, and very light occasional periods, but never tampon worthy. I am loving being an older woman.

izzy2076 · 17/08/2021 15:37

@Ozziewoz

I have a coil (hormonal) and have Elleste Solo patches for HRT. I am absolutely loving it. I have no more headaches, no more flushes, no mood swings, and very light occasional periods, but never tampon worthy. I am loving being an older woman.
This is so nice to hear!! After another sleepless night of aching joints, tinnitus and sweats, I've got a consultation with the doctor tonight. It's time I think...
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