Patches, gel, tablets?

[Fabled]

I’m 46 with regular periods still but lots of perimenopause symptoms, and have been prescribed Evorel Sequi patches. Been on them for 2 months now. Some mild improvement in some of my symptoms, but it’s not been the ‘cure’ I’d hoped for so far and still feeling pretty shit.

I have two friends of similar ages, similar symptoms etc. They’ve both been prescribed tablets and a gel. Why? What’s the difference? How do doctors decide what to prescribe to whom?
Both friends felt much better a couple of months into HRT, so want to know if I should be switching the type I’m on when I have my review next month,

My GP gave me an information sheet with the benefits and risks of each and let me decide, after discussion.

I'm taking it that you didn't get this kind of service.

No. There was no leaflet or discussion.

I went to the appointment ready to have to argue for HRT, but the GP immediately prescribed Evorel Sequi. I was so surprised that he agreed to HRT straight away that I didn’t really ask any questions, just took my prescription and went!

Glad you got the HRT. It might be worth asking to discuss the different types when if you get a review.

There's a decision tree under the HRT section of this website (which is what my GP told me to read!), although looking at this I should be on Oral but was given the same patches as you. www.menopausematters.co.uk/index.php

Before seeing hcps women should always read up on options and actually be informed so they can say what they want. There's not much in it between patches and gel I don't thing symptom relief wise but if you want gel and utrogestan capsules just ask to switch on your next review.

It's personal preference @Fabled

Pros and cons- patches are visible and not all women (if they are meeting a new partner for example) want their HRT patch visible.

Gel dose can be varied easily by you, as you work out what you need.
Patches and tablets need new prescriptions for that.

Tablets are fine for many women, easy to use, but they carry a very slightly higher risk of blood clots.

Utrogestan (micronised progesterone) is not liked by everyone. Some women hate it. I was warned about that by my dr and advised to give it a whirl for 3 months.

If you plan to use HRT long term, Utrogestan has a lower risk of breast cancer, it appears.

I expect your GP has their own favourites and what they are confident in prescribing.

Ideally, and this is where a lot of women benefit from more time with a private consultant, is that all the options are explained in detail.

Not that you should need to pay to get basic info! No excuse for your GP not asking what you might prefer.