First time using HRT

[CookieWaffle]

Hi all, I've just been given HRT for the first time, Evorel patches and zentiva tablets. I've been looking down the list of potential side effects and a little terrified. What side effects have other had from these? I'm on a low dose to start with.

I take Evorel patches -50 and conti. Im on my fourth month
I have had -
improved sleep
more energy
less night sweats

my side effects-
sore boobs (first month only)
weepy/emotional (first month only)
heart palpitations (first month only)
irrational rage lasting a day or two once a month .

imsticking with it for the energy hoping it will help with aches and pains too.
it’s recommended you give it 3 months to settle down.

Put the leaflet away.

Every single medicine has a list as long as your arm on side effects- even drugs for hay fever, coughs and colds. Look at the list for paracetamol !

Drug companies have to list any side effect experienced by anyone , ever, more or less. Most people get none of them.

As PP says, you might get sore boobs for a while (I never did) and this can be managed by reducing the dose of the patch if it continues.

Try not to worry and take each day as it comes.

Oh dear those side effects are what I was getting before I started 🤣

I like the idea of better sleep though. Hope it works out well for you.

Thank you, good advice, yes definitely putting the leaflet away! I went to the docs for sore boobs in the first place so hoping it doesn't make it worse.

I’m on every land have absolutely no side effects! Sleep better, feel better and have enough energy to exercise everyday x

I had no side effects and only benefits. Main one being reduced anxiety. Bonus one was improved sleep.

Don't expect a magic bullet. For some people it helps immediately but for me it took a good 6 weeks to start to feel the effects, and I've gradually increased my does over 2 years and am now on the max (100).

Thank you, yes definitely wasn't expecting an overnight thing. I've put this off for so long because I was scared of the negative side of it. So glad to hear all the positives :)

I started on Evorel Sequi yesterday! First time on HRT too. The difference for me is that the progesterone is in the patch two (2 weeks of oestrogen only patches and 2 weeks combined oestrogen and progesterone patches). It’s a 3 month trial to see how I get on.

I agree the leaflet is a bit scary, but as PPs have said most patient information leaflets that accompany medications are terrifying.

Hopefully we both do ok with it all!

I’ve had no side effects at all. (Same patches as you).
But not much improvement in my menopause symptoms either unfortunately 3 months in.

I haven’t had any side effects - only positive ones (especially sleep). My doctor told me to throw the leaflet away!

I have put on a bit of weight but also had long Covid so was exercising less… I don’t think weight gain is listed as a side effect. But I didn’t read it anyway!

Lots of positives about the lack of side effects 😊 however I've just started cramping and bleeding, it's day 3 now. Does that sound normal?

The only side effect I had was my hair stopped falling out so much.

I’m on Evorel Sequi (50mg). No side effects but only noticeable change is improved anxiety. Still have flushes and no sign of any get-up-and-go.

Won't that be your own period?

Are you post menopausal (no periods for 12 months)?

If not, it's your own period even if it's irregular.

Period was over a week ago and so they told me to start now. I'm still getting them but they're very irregular. I never get cramps this bad, it's like childbirth all over again 🤣

It's more than likely a natural period.
One of my shortest cycles was 17 days.
It's pretty much impossible that 3 days of estrogen is going to make you bleed like this. It can't build up the womb lining in that time,and it's a fall in progesterone (micronised progesterone ) makes the lining shed.

I hope you feel better soon.

hi, i know you posted this a while ago, just wondering how you are getting on? i started same patches as you on monday

Hey no worries, after I was using them for a few weeks I definitely saw the benefits. My joints stopped aching and I had more energy, my mood was much better as well. I forgot to take them with me when I went on holiday and I was so glad to have them back when I got home.

I actually switched to a gel in the end as the patches often came off for me but definitely was a positive experience and no negative effects that I can remember. Hope they work well for you too.