How to know whether you should up Estrogen dose?

[BelleBoyd]

I’m definitely feeling better now than I was without HRT but as I’m on 50mg patches and on occasion still having that hot sweaty feeling (when it’s not hot) I’m wondering whether I should up my dose? How did you decide whether to up it or not? It’s not really a black and white situation as in without HRT I feel absolutely awful and with I’m ok but I’m wondering if I could feel even better?

I have the gel. I was told started with lowest dose (one pump) and if I felt it wasn't doing enough, to try 2 pumps. the low dose really made me feel a lot better, especially in the beginning. But then I started to feel a bit like you - better, but like it could be MORE.

So I upped to 2 pumps. Within about a week I was practically in tears all the time, miserable and unhappy. So I just dropped back to one pump. I do feel a lot better than I did and I tell myself that I do also have a very stressful life so Ic an't expect to feel perfect just from taking some meds.

Can you do the same with the patches - just experiment? Or is it more regimented?

Depending on what patches you are on will depend on whether you can increase the patch, but you might need to take the progestrone via another route, if still getting your periods? As in patches for the oestrogen and then tablet, gel or spray for the progestrone.

Yes I take Utrogestan separately mainly to help with sleep and the patches go up in 25mg increments plus I have some Oestrogel that I can top up with and have been adding one pump on patch change over days.

I was wondering this. I take Femoston 1/10. I still get the odd hot sweat and headaches but not sure whether to ask for a higher dose? Are there any disadvantages to
having more oestrogen?

BelleBoyd so I guess yes you can up the patch by another 25mg. As long as the utrogestan is the right amount against it. I am on Evorel sequi and only a month in but feel like I am not really improving. I was thinking at review of going up to Evorel 75mg and utrogestan separately cyclical. How do you find utrogestan as I am struggling with sleep. Did you have any stomach issues?

I knew I needed to increase when the night sweats started happening again.

So I went 50-75, then they came back again, so 75-100.

I still throw off the blanket in the night (even with the window open wide and the room at freezing levels) and then I wake up cold again, but I'm not actually sweating any more.

I personally wonder if 125 or 150 would help my brain fog, though that would Hve to be a private dosage.

I didn't have any side effects to increasing, BTW. Other than a bit of bleeding. But I'm on the coil now so not a problem.

I haven’t had any side effects from the Utrogestan and don’t know if it does help the insomnia or if it’s the Estrogen element or both? But together has made a big difference in sleep although I still feel hot at night but not night sweats so wondering if I need more Estrogen..

Funnily enough Iay in bed at 4.30 this morning with what felt like rushes from my chest up to my face. Warmth. Not hot but definitely changing my temperature for a few minutes.

The bedroom was freezing and I was under a summer duvet in my pants and vest so it's not that the room was too hot.

Not sure the GP would do anything though as 100mcg is the highest dose they are licensed to prescribe. 🎩

OK the top hat was supposed to be a 'shrug' total fail!

You up it when you feel it's no longer doing its job quite as well. If symptoms are starting to creep back in, you may need a stronger dose.

I felt last winter that I wasn't right but as I always hate the darker days and nights thought it was just that.
However, I have in the last month added an extra pump (now three a day) and can say that I am less mad but still quite low.
Struggling to speak to a GP (isn't everyone), especially one who can understand where I'm coming from. I need them to proscribe more gel but until I can speak to someone I have to hope my supplies hold.
I'm really worried about it.