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Original poster

Sudden problems on Evorel Sequi - any advice?

29 replies

thaneofglamour · 07/05/2023 08:36

I have googled and can't find much to help me on this so thought MN wisdom and experience might. I will try to put in enough detail to explain my situation.

Because of the rise of publicity about HRT, I went to see my GP at the end of December about whether I am menopausal/peri. She didn't ask many questions really and put me straight on to quite low dose tablets, which I took til February. My symptoms had been night sweats, low libido (that wasn't at all new!) and regular but very heavy periods. Otherwise, no huge problems. Stubborn weight gain possibly or inability to sift it but again that's always been a feature of my life.

When I went for check up, I said periods were better - more predictable and lighter and night sweats much rarer. She then swapped me up to patches. Evorel Sequi 50.

First two and a bit packs were fine. When I first started them I had some real rages and PMT returned (which had not been so bad on pills). Periods a bit heavier again but still regular. I can't say I have noticed any of the stuff you hear like improved mood, feeling radiant, skin amazing etc!

I have had really itchy skin on my left breast ever since taking HRT which GP doesn't seem interested in and now nipples and breasts are tender.

Now, things are awful, I started bleeding on the progesterone part of my last pack (about 11 days ago) . I thought my period had just come early (honestly, I do not understand HRT and periods. My GP is lovely but she doesn't explain anything!) . It was heavy enough to require tampons, certainly. A couple of days of no bleeding but terrible mood and UTI/ bloated stomach, constant weeing feeling. Headache. Then last three days (so far) proper period when I would have expected it. Heavyish , bright red, painful. Two big night sweats in last week.

It's doing my head in. I feel constantly preoccupied by it. I'm not sure why all this is going on now. Would it have happened anyway without the HRT? I just feel like chucking them all in the bin.

Sorry for long post but though detail would help. I am early 50s btw. Regular MNer but have NCd because I am a person who does not talk about this stuff.

OP posts:
Original poster
thaneofglamour · 08/05/2023 07:36

Just bumping this in case anyone is out there!

OP posts:
DustyLee123 · 08/05/2023 07:40

Did you consider a Mirena coil for your heavy periods pre HRT ?
Very often the answer is to increase oestrogen, so you need to see a GP.
And you also need to see a GP about the changes in your breast.

Original poster
thaneofglamour · 08/05/2023 07:50

No, I have never considered a coil. The very heavy periods were quite recent (last two or so years) and that tablet thing beginning with a T (tranaxemic acid?) helped with that. The good thing was that HRT seemed to sort it instead - but no longer...

OP posts:
Original poster
thaneofglamour · 08/05/2023 07:52

I have mentioned itchiness to her. She either didn't hear me or didn't seem concerned.

OP posts:
DustyLee123 · 08/05/2023 07:52

Then it’s a medication review, and probably increase the oestrogen.

DustyLee123 · 08/05/2023 07:53

You can get breast changes with the hormones. I’m assuming you’ve checked for lumps ?

Original poster
thaneofglamour · 08/05/2023 07:56

Ok, so more HRT is the answer? Upping it?

OP posts:
DustyLee123 · 08/05/2023 07:58

thaneofglamour · 08/05/2023 07:56

Ok, so more HRT is the answer? Upping it?

It frequently seems to be the answer on here from people. I’m not on it so no personal experience.

DinkyDaisy · 08/05/2023 08:01

It sounds like the tablets suited you better?
I am on tablets... Femoston 1/10.
Sequential will give you a withdrawal bleed every month. I have to use sanitary pads /tampons for level of bleed.

twixwrapper · 08/05/2023 08:01

It was awful for me too, OP. By the third pack I just gave up because the second half of the month I was literally feeling suicidal.
I haven't taken HRT since as it was just so awful. However, apart from horrendous periods I feel so much better emotionally. I'm not sure whether it's from benchmarking against how bad it was with that particular HRT or whether my hormones sort of reset a bit??!

LunaNorth · 08/05/2023 08:02

I struggled on Evorel Sequi.

I went onto just oestrogen patches, and take Utrogestan for the first two weeks of the month. It’s been much, much better.

DinkyDaisy · 08/05/2023 08:04

I did have an odd couple of months recently where my breasts ridiculously tender (also diagnosed with breast cyst). Touch wood that has calmed down for the moment.

wateraddict · 08/05/2023 08:13

I didn't get on with Evorel Sequi either. I went back to my GP and explained and I was changed to evorel 50 (the first two weeks of your patches) and Utrogestan for the progesterone. I was still anxious so the patch was later upped to Evorel 75. It's a journey and the tweaks were well worth it as I now feel much better. The hormone in the conti patches don't work for people who are progesterone sensitive apparently. I would push for a swap to something else. I hope you feel much better soon!

Original poster
thaneofglamour · 08/05/2023 08:37

Oh, right , thanks. I will ask about that!

OP posts:
Original poster
thaneofglamour · 08/05/2023 08:40

Hiya dinky yes I was having the withdrawal bleed /period/ whatever it was . It's only this month that I have been bleeding for like 12 days now - some of this must have been breakthrough bleeding. That was when I was on the progesterone bit.

The pills were very low dose. They seem keen to take people off those - assume because of stronger links to breast cancer?

OP posts:
Original poster
thaneofglamour · 08/05/2023 08:42

twixwrapper · 08/05/2023 08:01

It was awful for me too, OP. By the third pack I just gave up because the second half of the month I was literally feeling suicidal.
I haven't taken HRT since as it was just so awful. However, apart from horrendous periods I feel so much better emotionally. I'm not sure whether it's from benchmarking against how bad it was with that particular HRT or whether my hormones sort of reset a bit??!

Oh, that sounds horrible. I do know someone who felt so awful she just binned theme all.

This is why I am asking really. Does one keep tweaking and upping or just accept that before was better. I don't think I was ever an 'obvious' HRT candidate compared to some I know. And things like insomnia, alcohol intolerance and general bleurgh have not yet improved. Sad times.

OP posts:
DinkyDaisy · 08/05/2023 09:04

12 days bleeding not right @thaneofglamour and horrible for you. I was told Femoston a good tablet by gp as progestin usually tolerated well. I think seen as low risk candidate hence tablets for my starter hrt. Been on it around 18 months.

Original poster
thaneofglamour · 16/05/2023 17:12

OK, so update and a bit pissed off...

Just had a phone appt with a different female GP. As ever, they ask loads of questions and I am thinking ' can you not see your fucking screen??' . Excuse language. She was a bit hard to understand too - very softly spoken and not first language speaker (sorry, no judgement intended ).

Anyway... she has now said it is probably normal but she will book a pelvic scan and in the meantime I have to stop the HRT. FFS.

Is the pelvic scan that horrible embarrassing invasive giant willy thing? If so, I only just had one of those maybe 5 months ago and all was fine. I was so taken aback that I only recalled this when I had hung up.

Any thoughts??

OP posts:
DinkyDaisy · 16/05/2023 19:08

Mmm... I guess might be that.
Another appointment with gp needed? How frustrating. I am a great one for an email and maybe email all recent health tests and also what you need from an appointment. Good luck.

Original poster
thaneofglamour · 17/05/2023 18:50

Had my scan already...awaiting results.

OP posts:
DinkyDaisy · 17/05/2023 19:54

Hope results come quick so you can move on to next steps.

Smithyhev · 14/01/2024 10:27

I am currently on Evorel Sequi and after reading lots of messages on here because I wanted some advice I don't think they are suiting me either. I feel very low and unmotivated. I really can't put my finger on why and now I believe it could be the Evorel. Originally I was on Femoston but was advised to go on Evorel because of my medical history. I did suffer from PMD after my first child and now wondering if I am sensitive to the progesterone in the Everol Sequi. Any advice on alternative HRT would be appreciated as I feel quite lost on where to go on this and if you don't get the right GP you just seem to get fobbed off with just up the Anti-depressants. I would like to go prepared when I get the chance hopefully next week to see a GP or nurse.

Christine0708 · 14/01/2024 18:57

@Smithyhev ask to try Evoral with out the progesterone and separate progesterone called utrogestan instead x

notgood · 17/01/2024 00:03

Oh I’ve just come on tonight to ask about Evorel Conti as I’ve been on it about a year now and I’m still an utter hormonal mess. I was quite happy on the mini pill for years after my last baby was born no periods then started getting breakthrough bleeds about 2 years ago. GP confirmed it was probably peri (I’m 48 and a bit now) came off mini pill to see what was going on. Periods were erratic and the symptoms were insane. Got given transexemic acid for the heavy blood loss and Evorel Sequi. Was also “investigated” with some lovely pelvic scans and a biopsy (all was ok).

If I don’t take the tranexemic acid my period can be 10-12 days long, will turn up when it feels like it. 2-5 weeks. I have horrendous insomnia, rages, flushes, the works. I suffer from fibromyalgia so it just makes me flare all the time.

The male gynaecologist I did see was quite dismissive and said I shouldn’t be on HRT as it’s not natural and I should go back on the mini pill. My GP is on commission for fitting coils but I feel sick at the thought of one (there’s just something about them I don’t want one).

So here I am hardly remembering who I am most days, any advice?

notgood · 19/01/2024 21:26

I saw my GP today and she has now prescribed me 75mg Evorel patches oestrogen only and progesterone tablets I’ve to take every day. We shall see if they will help my bat shot craziness

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