Anyone switched from HRT patches to gel? Was it better?

[Pastrydame]

I've only just started HRT so it's early to talk about changing but the patches do not stick well to my skin at all - I've been avoiding showers even to keep it on!
So was reading about the gel which seemed a lot simpler. Are GPS as likely to prescribe that? I know I'd need progesterone as well, is that a tablet or a pessary or something? Thank you for any intel

Oh god yes so much better. The patches made me itch so badly.

Everyone is different I guess but that was my experience.

I’ve been using the gel and seems to be helping. I have a Mirena cool so no need for any more progesterone

The pro was that you could alter the dose more easily but I found it very messy and I had the opposite problem to the PP the gel made me itch whereas the patches don’t.

Personally I prefer patches as I find they stick amazingly well. They have caused bleeding for me though but I’m persevering.

The gel was messy and I hated the sticky thighs. That said you can apply ( I think ) to buttocks, outer arm, outer thigh)

It’s what suits your lifestyle I guess. For me, it’s stick and go! 😀

Thanks for all the replies
These seem fine if I could just make them stay tight - the patch has to be on for three/four days and one day seems to be the limit that it is nice and flat for.
Maybe I've just dodgy skin

I love the gel but haven't tried patches

I started on the patches last summer , didn’t have a problem with them sticking but after around 5 months some symptoms started appearing again along with breakthrough bleeding.
GP changed me to gel and tablets so I can increase my dose. Been on this regime now since January and I’m ok on it , lots of the symptoms have eased.
I preferred the patches just because you only had to think about changing twice a week .
The gel dries quickly though ,I rub the gel on my outer arms before I wash my face / apply serums / clean teeth etc , dry by the time I get dressed.

Is a tablet how you get the progesterone, if you don't have a coil?
I don't think of mine twice a week, I'm thinking of it all the time and giving it a wee smooth down any time I'm at the loo!
(Should say I am on only my second patch so maybe there'll be an improvement as I go on). Not sure I'm getting my dose though if it doesn't stick

Has anyone lost weight on HRT?

@Pastrydame

Is a tablet how you get the progesterone, if you don't have a coil? I don't think of mine twice a week, I'm thinking of it all the time and giving it a wee smooth down any time I'm at the loo! (Should say I am on only my second patch so maybe there'll be an improvement as I go on). Not sure I'm getting my dose though if it doesn't stick

Where are you sticking your patch ? I used to stick them on a bum cheek . Low enough to not have my knickers catching it. Yes it’s a tablet , I take 2 on day 15th - 26th of the month.

This message has shown up on a thread about patches, you might want to ask for it to be moved to the general menopause board, but I will answer anyway that yes, I have lost a stone in 6 weeks doing the 5:2, on HRT, so yes, it is possible.

@shamalidacdak

Has anyone lost weight on HRT?

Sorry I was responding to this poster.

I put some clear dressing cover from Amazon over it yesterday and has stayed on well - even had a bath Will check with doctor that this doesn't affect the dose and if it does I'll have to have a different type of HRT I think. Lovely to have so many replies and to learn from your experiences!

Which patches are you on, I have Estradot which stay on fine but did once have Everol and they were useless and fell off all the time

The Evorel patches I had last year kept falling off. The Estraderm patches that I tried were even worse - lasted hours.

However, the new batch of Evorel patches I have are absolutely fine, so they've obviously sorted the adhesive problems out - finally!

(The adhesive issue was quite well known and apparently helped to caused the shortages of HRT patches from c. 2019 onwards.)

Yes Estradot are excellent for staying in place. To be honest, I’ve found evorel to be very good also and really have to pull hard to remove them!

I have an issue with patches sticking too as I have oily skin. I do think some batches are just dodgy though as some stick better than others. I was actually having a chat with the pharmacist about this issue last week, I've had a nightmare this summer as its been so hot and the glue is just melting . He said lots of women have said the same and one is using a tubigrip to keep hers in place! It's summer and I'm in shorts I don't want to have massive plasters/bandages on my thighs! Also mentioned cleaning the skin first with alcohol to dry it out.
The only thing that puts me off the gel is the need for oral progesterone, I believe it's more risky than the patches? I might be wrong though but definitely going to have to use something else in the heat as I've been back to sleepless nights .

Maybe try different locations , I have mibe on my torso below the waist , I found they fell off on my buttock and I couldn’t tolerate them in my thigh

I'm on everol sequi.
Feel like someone has turned my thermostat to max since I started, opposite to what I expected! But I do seem to have more energy and less fogginess, so far.

Glen, that is interesting that you say you can’t tolerate the patch on your thigh. Is that because it doesn’t stay put, or other?

I only ask, as I usually stick mine to my buttock. Last week I thought I’d try the inner thigh. I was riddled with cramps and irritability within hours. This continued for the 3 days. On patch day change , I switched back to buttock, no cramps or irritability. Weird!

It just annoys me and I wear trousers a lot and they seemed to rub off