Sudden problems on Evorel Sequi - any advice?

[thaneofglamour]

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.

This is quite old now so my story moved on!

My GP made me come off the patches and HRT altogether, sent me for investigations even though it probably wasn't indicated. After months of faffing about, a different GP put me back on patches. Terrible terrible allergic rashes , so off again...

Then back on to Elleste Duet - itching all over and nosebleeds several times a week.

Next step is gel, which I don't really want. Time will tell...

On Evorel sequi 50 for 6 months and constant bleeding getting me down, 55 years old,has anyone else had similar? Feeling a lot better on it and thought I could put up with the bleeding but it’s just getting too much now.Doctor saying dose is right for me when I asked if it could be altered?

"The hormone in the conti patches don't work for people who are progesterone sensitive"
@wateraddict do you know any more about this?

I couldn't take utrogestan pills - they gave me headaches for 11 days every month. Loved Evorel Sequi but like others have had long, frequent periods while on it. The dr had taken me off it to assess whether I'm still peri or actually in menopause and I think she's going to put me on Conti. But if the patches don't work for people who are sensitive to progesterone, this is concerning.

I can't suggest what might help in terms of combinations of drugs but I sincerely recommend finding an HRT expert and sticking with their advice. I paid for a single consultation with a specialist, this included prescription changes with medication teething troubles. My GP now just has to prescribe what they recommend.

It affects every part of us mentally and physically, it can't wait and we shouldn't have to endure. I wonder if we are just so used to not being helped/taken seriously. This really matters, prioritise excellent advice.