Progesterone HRT giving me insomnia! Desperate for a full night's sleep

[nowtygaffer]

I've been on Evorel Conti 50 for 2 years as I had my ovaries removed due to a large ovarian cyst. Felt okay on the patches but not amazing. Then started bleeding which after hysteroscopy was deemed due to HRT and nothing serious. So my GP said I had to wean off the patches altogether. I didn't want to do this so she prescribed Oestrogel and Utrogestan tablets 1 month ago.
Since then I have only had 1 full nights sleep. I eat well, barely drink alcohol, and exercise but when I get to bed I feel wired and agitated.
So I don't know whether to come off HRT altogether or try something else.
Any ideas will be gratefully received!

When do you put the gel on? I do it in the morning now as it was affecting my sleep. Would you consider a mirena for continuous low dose progesterone instead?

I think you need a second opinion. I had horrendous bleeding on Oestrogel and utrogestan (I have lupus and this seemed to make it worse) so had hystoscopy and biopsy, all was fine so they said I could go back on HRT so they’ve given me the patches you were taken off of- they suit me well. If you want to stay on them you should be able to. I know that doesn’t really answer your question but just wanted to reply.

I get wired if my oestrogen dose is too high.

I’ve had a mirena for years and been on Estrodot patches for about 6 months and everything was ok, but I also had an episode of about 6 weeks recently where I was getting about 4 hours sleep a night.
My GP thought it could have been a natural surge of hormones.

There were problems with the dose consistency of oestrogel a while ago which is partly why I switched to patches. I don’t know if they’ve sorted that out. But it is worth trying with applying it in the morning.

I have this problem too but only when using it vaginally, which my consultant says they prefer. However, I use it on a cycle (12 or 14 days) so I just try to put up with it. Some nights are better than others.

You can change- there are options.
You can have Norethisterone as a tablet - same progesterone as in the patch.
There are also some other types you could be offered.

I don't understand why you had to come off patches if the bleeding wasn't anything suspicious.

Thanks for all the replies. I'll have a good read through.
Yes I don't understand why I couldn't stay on the patches. The gynae consultant just told me to go back to gp without any mention of what hrt would be best. The GP seems pretty anti-hrt so basically wants me to come off it altogether.
I'm wondering whether to go private.
I feel like surgical menopause is poorly understood and managed.

I put the gel on in the morning and take the progesterone at night just before bed.

Don't really fancy the mirena as I would be scared about not being able to stop it if I felt bad onitsha.

They would take a mirena out if it was really bad.

It sounds like your biggest problem is your GP! Do you have menopause specialist at the surgery? You can ask to see them instead.
I choose to see a particular youngish, female GP at my surgery if I can as she is really clued up and positive about HRT.
Dont get fobbed off!!

To be honest I've lost faith in the NHS and wouldn't trust them to take it out in time. I've had some bad NHS care over the years unfortunately.
There isn't a menopause specialist at my surgery and it's just pot luck which GP you get. I found one I really liked but haven't been able to see her since.
I'll request an appointment and see what they suggest.
Thanks for all the input.