Any experience of switching HRT?

[greensuitcase]

I was on two pumps of gel and the micronised progesterone tablets cyclically for about six months and it took a very long time for this to work. My GP recommended I switched to the patch which I did a month ago, but I’ve noticed a steady decline in my mood and tolerance, plus I’ve had a couple of night sweats which I hadn’t had on the gel.

Is it worth persevering with the patch for another couple of months before reviewing? I’m not enjoying the additional anxiety and paranoia of these last few weeks.

Thoughts and experience appreciated 🙏

I don't understand why your GP suggested a patch if you're getting on okay now with gel.

Why?

Normally, if something isn't working after 3 months it's best practice to increase the dose ( 3 pumps) rather than switch the route.

But if you're happy now on gel why the swap?

That's what I didn't understand either. I am now on three pumps together with ustrogen because the initial dose didn't touch the sides.

I have no idea and I was a bit concerned about it. I think she thought it was because it took so long to work (felt a lot worse when I first started gel and pills) that the patch would be worth a try. My mood is shit in this month I’ve been on the patch. I’m also getting conflicting advice from 2 different gps about whether to continue patch for another couple of months or just give up and return to gel/pills :(

Swapped because I still had mood issues - maybe that’s just me 😬

I'm confused now.

Are you on patches where the progesterone is also in the patches for half a month? I assumed you were on an estrogen patch +micronised progesterone capsules.

If you are, you've also changed progesterone. It will be Norethisterone. Some women find this causes more mood side effects that micronised progesterone.

The normal practice and medical guidance is to increase the dose, not the route.

Your GP is not following best practice. It's not good to change to a patch AND change the type of progesterone at the same time. This means it's impossible to know which is not working.

If you're on a 50mcg patch of estrogen-only that is the same dose as 2 pumps of gel. But some women absorb better from patches, others from gel.

Maybe you should go back to gel and increase to 3 pumps?

The route/ delivery is only changed if a higher dose on one type has not worked at all.

And each new dose has to be given 3 months.

Yes I’m on the cyclical patches for a month now - two weeks + progesterone and two weeks without

wow that’s a revelation. I took northisterone to delay a period last year (pre HRT) and was almost suicidal.