How do you know if your HRT is ‘enough’?

[BedRot]

Interested in how others have arrived at the right level of HRT.

I am 43 and recently started a 3-month trial of Everol Sequi. It’s taken a long time to get to this point but I think is turning out to be the right answer to the issues I was having! Symptoms were infrequent periods, fatigue, brain fog, dry eyes, mild flushes.

3 weeks in I think it’s going well. No period yet and I still have dry eyes and mild flushes, but the mental difference has been quite striking. I have quite a bit I need to sort out in my life and I finally feel motivated and capable to do it because I can actually think straight and no longer have crushing fatigue (I sometimes needed 3 naps a day!!).

however, I feel like the dose needs to be higher. Hard to explain the feelings but it’s like symptoms (including flushes) have improved but not gone altogether. I am on Everol 50 but maybe has been a little stronger because I have had to replace patches early 3 times as they keep coming off in the shower.

would it be reasonable to suggest a higher dose to my GP after the trial ends? I’ve had no real side effects other than sore breasts, but I was having that anyway. Also, does body mass come into it? I’m very tall and BMI ~27.

thanks for any advice.

How are you applying the patches? I’ve been on Evorel for over 4 years and have only ever had one come off.

Apply before you shower so that they fully stick, maybe the night before or something. If you apply when your skin is warm after a shower they don’t adhere as well and may come off in the next shower. Also don’t use any body lotion anywhere near where the patch is.
do speak to the practice nurse that deals with HRT if you feel you need an increase, they are quite happy to go off symptoms and increase the strength ime.

Thanks @YoureWinningAtLife I do all those things already with the patches. They just seem to come off easily after a day or two. Oddly I’ve found the Conti seem to stick better than the 50, no idea why!

I was told (by consultant who's managed my HRT for many years) that you need enough to control your symptoms. So it's easier with gel as you can change it yourself.

You're really young and younger women often need more. I use the equivalent of a 50mcg patch and I'm decades older than you are :)

@BedRot where are you sticking your patch? Im on everol 50 and stick to bum or lower back/bum. I place my hand over the top of them once applied for a minute or so. Glad your feeling better, there is a 75 patch too for going higher but sequi conti patch only comes in one strength so you will probably get changed to separate patch and progesterone usually utrogestan x

@Christine0708 I’ve been sticking them on bum and thighs. I do think my clothes might be part of the issue because I’m a Millennial and they will have to bury me in my skinny jeans 😂

@JinglingSpringbells thank you, that’s helpful to know. I didn’t realise younger women need a higher dosage. I’m still trying to get my head around needing HRT at all! I too thought I was really young until this happened…!

I’m on a 2mg tablet plus a 50mg patch, which is unusual. They basically don’t do a 3mg tablet unless I want the one made out of horse piss, which I don’t. I’m 41 and my GP said younger women need more. I still get symptoms on this regimen but it’s manageable.

Honestly I feel like a 50mg patch is basically microdosing HRT when you’re young!

3 weeks in is too early to tell, I think they suggest reviewing after 3 months?
fyi I put my Everol under my knicker line on my hip bone, never had one fall off, even when I went to Florida last august in the heat and humidity! I’d change when you are applying, I do mine about 6 hours before or after a shower.