Progesterone only pill plus HRT

[Judystilldreamsofhorses]

I’m just off a telephone consultation with a very helpful GP. I’m 49, and already on the mini pill which has stopped my periods which were becoming far too frequent.

The GP suggested a Mirena plus oestrogen gel but as a childless person I am a bit wary about the pain. I’m going to try patches for three months then review, but a bit worried re progesterone overload - is this a thing? Also how do patches stay on if you have a bath? (Sorry if that is a stupid question!)

Im on the minipill to stop my frequent heavy periods. Its great isn’t it!

im on Evorel sequi (3rd week). We need the progesterone to compensate the oestrogen overload (if im correct).

my patch goes on the too of my buttock. I shave the area as the removal of the parch was a bit painful 😂 it stays on totally when i shower/bathe

Do you mind me asking what dosage you're on MrsDThomas? I'm on cerazette and Dr mentioned possibility of HRT which I'm thinking is the way forwards. Sequi is combined isn't it, so the pill isn't enough progesterone?

and another question , if the mini pill stops your periods (I get maybe three a year) does taking HRT cause them to return?

Hi @BreezeofGreen
im on the Evorel 50 patches. My GP said i might get a lighter period after i finish my monthly pack , (next Friday is the last progesterone patch).

I hope its not a proper period, I really can’t go back to that, but im sure it will be just a light bleed like one you’d get with the combined pill.

all i can do is wait and see!!

I’ve got a Mirena for heavy periods. I had daily spotting for 7 months, now I have an occasional very light period

Thanks @MrsDThomas At the risk of sounding weird, please report back! Have you any side effects so far?

What HRT are you on @KangarooKenny ?

I’m not. Just the coil, at the moment.

of course i will!

no side effects. But i dont feel worse. Yet im still waiting for that WOW moment to strike. I’ve started waking up at 5 each morning too. 6 was bad enough!

My patches won’t stay on. I do like a bath in the evening but my next change should be Monday and that’s the current patch gone now. I guess I need to think about stopping the mini pill and starting the coil.

I’m 41 and on the mini pill and have 3 pumps of oestrogel and 100mg utrogestan daily (continuously). It works really well for me and I have no bleeding at all. I’d never want a coil personally.

I don’t especially want a coil, but the patches are not working if they float off in the bath so I need to think about options. I don’t think Ustrogestan is available here (Scotland) unfortunately, but I will ring the surgery next week.

I put my patches on the front - just above my pubes, in my knickers IYKWIM,
Right side monday, left on friday.Reminds me that I have actually changed patch. I found they slipped off my bum too.

Good suggestion @APerfectlyGoodName - I did thigh first time and then bum. I’m a “nice healthy BMI” according to the doctor, but after a bath they seem to catch when I pull up/down my clothes, then just come off altogether.

It’s annoying as I think I am starting again from day zero come Monday so this week has been a waste of time.

@Afterfire I also would never want a coil and want to stay on the mini pill as it keeps my moods stable, have you found that your HRT has affected your mood at all? Do you mind sharing why you have continuously both? I thought from what I'd read that at our age it was more usual to give it as a cyclical treatment. Is it because you're on the mini pill?

Cancellation appointment on Tuesday to discuss, else I'd still be waiting til the end of June.

@Judystilldreamsofhorses and others, do the patches come unstuck in the shower as well? I can live without a bath, but not without a daily shower!

I went into early menopause due to autoimmune issues (lupus and Addison’s amongst others) and I saw Dr Boden at the Newson Health clinic privately. My own Gp was baffled by all my different conditions and didn’t know what to do with me! They suggested since I was already on the mini pill and liked that (as I liked that it completely stopped my periods - my periods on the combined pill or without anything were erratic and very heavy with clots) that the oestrogel/ utrogestan combination with the pill would be the best option for me so that’s what I went with.

I know that generally speaking Newson Health tend to go down the oestrogel / utrogestan route with almost all patients as they like to avoid the patches and tablets as much as possible.

@BreezeofGreen showers are fine. I like a bath as a “leisure activity”, hot, deep, and long (with a book or podcast, lots of bubbles) and the patches are not keen.

On Thursday I put a Compeed blister plaster over it which I thought had done the trick, and worked on Friday too, but yesterday both came off. I got some waterproof wound dressing patches from Amazon as my next fix.

@Judystilldreamsofhorses well box one of Evorel Sequi done. New box started today and I haven’t had a breakthrough bleed as the GP said i could possibly have. So far so good!

still waiting for the WOW moment!

Do you feel good on them @MrsDThomas ? I feel bloated, spotty and headache-y, and the stupid things keep coming off. I am dithering about abandoning this. I rang to see about getting a Mirena fitted but it seems more complicated in terms of getting an appointment (if it was just for contraception it would be more straightforward).

i dont really know. Im not worse. But maybe im expecting too much? Too soon?

i have another 2 months until I see the GP. I think its possible to increase the dose.

think about the coil sends me cold. Braver than me!

I’d have thought you would have seen an improvement after one complete cycle? Maybe also expecting too much! I also don’t much fancy the coil but then it would just be slapping on some gel which seems like a good option.

My patch stays on, i shave a patch on the top of my buttock and slap it on. If i don’t shave it really hurt when I take it off 😂

i wad also offered the gel but thought the patch would be easier.

I suppose for some it takes time and perhaps trying other options

It’s baths that take mine off - if I didn’t like a good wallow it would be fine I think. Baths are my favourite though 🥲

I have no problem with baths or showers with patch on the front. But it slides off my ass - i think it is pulling up my knickers that does it,

So I tried the front at the top of my leg but same issue. The knicker thing definitely doesn’t help. Maybe the calf would be better 🤷🏻‍♀️

IIRC it has to be on your core - basically under a pair of bicycle shorts. I have no lotion underneath - but I don't shave or use extra dressings to keep it on.