Just not sure hrt is working...

[ssd]

Am 4 and 1/2 months in of using everol conti 50 patches 2 a week.

At first i really noticed a difference in my anxiety, i was calm and just felt great. It lasted a few weeks then since then I've been back to normal , anxious, fretting, over thinking everything. That's the main reason i started them, to help with anxiety. And also to help with my overactive bladder but I've started tablets from the gp as hrt didn't help.

But i really don't know if its worth continuing. I don't feel much difference than before i didn't use the patches. I never had sleep issues, nor sweats nor achy joints. It was really just the anxiety and i feel the same as ever.

Has anyone else quit hrt and just carried on as before?

Im 55 no periods for years.

You might need to increase the dose. Do you have a medication review ?

I had this. Felt better for a bit after staring, then crashed again after a few months. So I upped my dose and now I feel great. I'm on gel though, which makes it easier to regulate myself. It's all about working out what you need just to be on an even keel.

I meant, after starting! Not staring.

I had a 3 month medication review and told the gp exactly how i felt and she said the guidelines are now to stick with it for 12 months before tweaking anything.

Which I'm not happy about but she was adamant thats the latest guidelines.

I've not heard that, I'm really surprised if that's the case. I would go back and ask to go on the gel. That way you can tweak your own dose.

I agree with asking for the gel and tweaking it yourself. I changed the oestrogen part of my HRT by half a squirt 6 times over the space of about 4/5 months, down and then slowly back up, when I started and progesterone from utrogestan to the coil in that time frame too. 12 months is a ridiculous time to wait to alter the dosage. If your GP won’t help with this, it might be worth trying to see a different one. My own GP encouraged me to do this saying it was very normal, as exact hormones doses needed are difficult to get right.

Ill consider asking for the gel, but not sure she will let me change.

I agree the 12 month thing shook me.

Hi ,
Just hoping someone can help 🙏 I'm currently on 50 everol n a utrogestan 100mg a night ,the doctor has literally just put me up to 50 because my bones are so so painful,i never had bones pain before taking hrt ? Is it related 😳 plus I'm bleeding 😳 Really not enjoying this .... oh and weight gain ? X is this all normal ? X thanks Sara

Hi Sara it sounds to me like side affects and you probably need to see your GP although some side effects do disappear after a while.

I’m on Evorel Conti patches too mainly for anxiety and I haven’t had a period for 10 years. I started using them about 4 months ago and my anxiety improved too but now I can feel it creeping back. More worryingly I seem to have uncontrollable outbursts where I honestly have no idea that I am going to say my thoughts out loud and also in such a savage way. I know when I am getting annoyed but think it is just in my mind, then suddenly out it comes!! It’s a shock to me as well …I remember a 50 plus work colleague doing exactly the same years ago and telling me about how she has these outbursts.

I also feel constantly hungry and have put on some weight - it takes all my willpower not to keep snacking! I’m not bleeding but sometimes spotting. It sounds to me like side affects too …Jackie x

If you’re in the UK that is incorrect - at the three-month review symptoms should be discussed and if what you’re using isn’t controlling them then the dose could be increased (maximum recommended is 100mg). Once settled on the right dose, then you should have an annual review. I’ve attached the nice menopause guidelines summary, see No 7 https://thebms.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/09-BMS-TfC-NICE-Menopause-Diagnosis-and-Management-from-Guideline-to-Practice-Guideline-Summary-NOV2022-A.pdf

Yes I havent found it great. Alot weight around thighs now too. He said patches more effective. It hasnt been amazing no.