Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Menopause

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

am I on TOO MUCH estrogen?

41 replies

HeraldicBlazoning · 21/11/2022 08:26

Started off on 25 mcg in January 2022, then up to 50 mcg and about 6 weeks ago increased it to 75 mcg because I thought i needed it.

Since then my sleep has got worse, I'm feeling nauseous more, the anxiety is back (although not as badly) and I'm just not feeling right. I have come to the conclusion that I think I might be on too much HRT? Is that a "thing"?

OP posts:
WarriorN · 21/11/2022 13:52

You can request a test to check but I did find with higher levels I've had buzzy feelings for longer. Then suddenly it clicked.

Or go back to 50 and see if symptoms are ok?

If still having hot flushes etc on 50 it may not be enough.

I had to go up by half a 25 patch for 6-8 weeks when I went above 50.

WarriorN · 21/11/2022 13:53

Alternatively you need more - it's actually v hard to tell and I needed blood tests to help me gauge this.

Original poster
HeraldicBlazoning · 21/11/2022 15:55

Urgh. It's like Goldilocks. Not getting hot flushes. Doc did say to give 75 mcg a try and if it's not working any better, back to 50 mcg. I always find November and December depressing, hopefully will feel better in the New Year.

OP posts:
WarriorN · 21/11/2022 16:14

You could ask for 25 patches to cut in half to add to your 60s to do a half way level.

I've had to do that each time

WarriorN · 21/11/2022 16:14

50s that should say!

Original poster
HeraldicBlazoning · 21/11/2022 16:35

I know it's probably not advised but i've put a 50 back on today to see how I get on.

OP posts:
Poppy61 · 22/11/2022 07:49

I'm trying to up my oestrogen and learnt the hard way to take it slowly. I cut a 50 patch into quarters and am adding a 1/4 along with my 50 patch. Trying to reach 75 patch and so far, have avoided side effects. Too much oestrogen mimics too little oestrogen apparently.

whatsnext2 · 22/11/2022 19:41

Is that combined patch? Wondering if progesterone needs upping too?

Afterfire · 22/11/2022 19:51

When I was on too much oestrogen my boobs literally felt like they were so painful I could barely stand to put clothes on. So I know for me that’s a sign…!

Jedstre · 22/11/2022 21:22

I felt nauseous going up from 25 to 50. As others have suggested you can just cut the 50 patch into a half and two quarters. I now use 37.5 and that suits me fine.

Original poster
HeraldicBlazoning · 22/11/2022 22:16

whatsnext2 · 22/11/2022 19:41

Is that combined patch? Wondering if progesterone needs upping too?

No, I only take estrogen as I have had a hysterectomy.

OP posts:
hamstersarse · 22/11/2022 22:19

This was my problem with HRT is that it’s total guesswork as to what you actually need

whatsnext2 · 23/11/2022 12:01

Blood test would show if in right range. I’m on 225 mg (2 x 100 patches plus 1x25mg) so very individual.

Original poster
HeraldicBlazoning · 23/11/2022 12:05

I had read that blood tests were fairly useless - plus as well I don't know where I am with my cycle as I don't have periods.

Blurgh. Still feeling rubbish and was wide awake at about 5.30 this morning.
7

OP posts:
hamstersarse · 23/11/2022 12:35

Yeah, the blood tests are very inaccurate

The one test that is supposed to be any good is called the DUTCH test, but it is pretty expensive

smartnutrition.co.uk/health-tests/dutch-complete-hormone-profile-for-women-urine/ example here

WarriorN · 23/11/2022 21:36

They're inaccurate before you start hrt but my Gp has checked my levels a couple of times since I've been on it. I also thought I was on too much, actually wasn't on enough. Didn't have sore breasts though which Gp said is a clear indicator.

When going up I get more insomnia and feel wired, even more anxious, seem to get water retention etc. takes a good 6-8 weeks to settle.

Original poster
HeraldicBlazoning · 24/11/2022 08:43

I've booked a video consult with a specialist GP for MOnday to speak through everything.

Nausea has subsided and I slept a little better last night but was still awake before the alarm.

OP posts:
Rina66 · 06/01/2023 07:53

How are you getting on @HeraldicBlazoning? I'm watching with interest as I've also had a hysterectomy (ovaries too) and my sleep is still fairly bad, lack of energy (although that could be sleep related) and some anxiety.

At the moment all 75mcg estrogen only patches which I'm using are unavailable, national shortage, so I'm not sure whether to ask my Dr for 100mcg or 50's - there seems so little written about too much estrogen, in fact some say you can't have too much on HRT as it's still far less than the estrogen given via the contraceptive pill. Does anyone have a good source of information I can read or listen to on the subject? I want to be prepped when I speak to my doctor.

Original poster
HeraldicBlazoning · 06/01/2023 08:10

I'm doing much better thank you. After my meeting with the GP, she suggested that the problem could possibly be the patches, as some women don't absorb as well through the patches, or that some patches aren't as suitable as others. That was certainly the case for me - I was fine on Estradot but not fine on Evorel, plus the glue on the Evorel patches gave me a very nasty allergic reaction.

Long story short, she suggested that I start using gel rather than the patches and I've been doing that since the first week in December. Had a rough start with it to be honest, the GP had suggested 3 or 4 pumps a day, started with 3 and felt awful, a bit of trial and error and I'm now splitting the dose and using 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening. It's taken a few weeks but my symptoms have definitely settled, I am sleeping much better and feeling less anxious. In an ideal world I'd be on the Estradot patches but you cannot get them anywhere, the gel is a faff.

So for me, it doesn't seem to be that estrogen was too high but it's hard to tell. If I were you I would be asking your GP about trying the gel too, and hopefully the shortages will sort themselves out in 2023.

OP posts:
Oblomov22 · 06/01/2023 08:27

Many of my friends are on 100 patches at least.

Rina66 · 06/01/2023 08:29

Thanks for coming back OP and I'm glad you're getting sorted. I think you could definitely be on to something, I'm so much better on Estradot than Evorelle - mine stick okay but I just don't think the Evorelle are strong enough?
I asked for blood tests to check my estrogen levels but apparently the NHS don't do that 🙄
I was going privately for years, the hysterectomy was also done privately, but it's cost a fortune and I now want the NHS to step up, as my medication and finding the right dosage should be straight forward since I have no ovaries or womb. I'm reluctant to use the gel as 3 pumps requires some serious skin space plus I'm always cold, so waiting for it to dry is awful but perhaps splitting it like you do is the answer.
I would still like some info on too much estrogen though, especially after a hysterectomy as the womb cancer risk is removed, there's so little written about that.

WarriorN · 06/01/2023 20:01

Thanks for the update op, I hope it continues to settle for you.

Ironically I've been querying the same now as insomnia and possibly over heating seems to be creeping back. I wondered about gel. I did manage to get some estradot 100 last week though so not sure if will be allowed yet. No sore boobs so they may suggest gel to see if better.

WarriorN · 06/01/2023 20:01

I think I'm better on estradot.

WarriorN · 06/01/2023 20:04

A Gp friend said gel is often better. I think I'd have to split the dose too.

Flipthefrugal · 06/01/2023 20:07

Where are you applying the Evorel?
My GP said its absorbed better on your bum.
I couldn't bear the messiness of gel