Hi Liverbird
![welcomemm :welcomemm:](https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/Smileys/extended/welcomemm.gif)
from me too
That's just it - with any of the combined contraceptive pills, the pill free week is bound to be difficult especially if you are getting short of oestrogen because your levels will really drop. With HRT you have no pill free week.
However I think it can be more tricky to even out mood swings etc if you are still having regular periods.
The Qlaira contains quite a high dose of estradiol - similar to what you would get on HRT, but the different tablets have varying amounts. When you say it didn't do enough - how long did you take it for and what happened for you to decide this? With HRT it is usually recommended to take it for several weeks for the body to settle - re flushes and sweats so you would need to give it time.
Good idea though to discuss again with your doctor so he can help you come up with the best treatment for you - sometimes it does take a while to find the right one.
Hurdity x