Anyone here a poor absorber of oestrogen? Need high dose?

[TheUsualChaos]

I'm at my wits end. Over the past year I've gradually gone up to a 100mg patch (Evorel). Just had bloods done and my estradiol levels are still despressingly low despite being on the highest dose patch. Some of my symptoms have improved such as achy joints and headaches but I'm still so low in energy and motivation and have started getting night sweats again, bang on 3am every night. I'm only 40!

My GP said I'm on the highest dose I can go and that it's too risky to go up but if my levels are so low even on this dose then how can I be at risk? I've read that some women just don't absorb it very well and need more? Anyone have any experience or knowledge about this?

I mean from the perspective of not causing unstable breaking down of the womb lining, aka spotting.

I can't imagine why else more progesterone would regulate my periods again.

Now they are bang on time, moderate flow, with no spotting. But on cyclical/ no-hrt they were erratic timed, lots of spotting and my actual periods were tailing off with an array of menopause symptoms all month long.

If it weren't for the crazed hot flushes and migraines during my periods, I'd feel my current regime had just propped up my hormones back to my regular old reproductive years.

I do find it all really odd though. I'd like to understand what's happening and why.

I am a poor absorber and I am now trying the spray. Much easier to apply.

It's very unusual because still having bleeding on 200mgs a day would be classed as breakthrough bleeding in women with no periods. It's the dose for women post menopausal on a high dose of estrogen (patches75 or 100mcgs) who find they spot on less progesterone.

With that dose it's surprising you are bleeding at all. Your own cycle is obviously overriding the HRT.

Are you on a high dose of estrogen?

Yes, 100mcg patch