Hi everyone,
Thanks very much for your responses. Just thought I would post an 'update' - after seeing my endo last week, she has agreed to me trialling 150 mcg (climara) patch. Relevant background info that I didn't mention before, is that I am also on Lupron injections to suppress my own ovulatory cycle as it appeared I had strong progesterone intolerance during the luteal phase and I also found taking 100-200mcg Utrogestan for the first week of the month very problematic.
Initially, the lupron injections were great - but after 6 or so weeks I began to experience a resurgence of symptoms. This is likely due to one or both of: intolerance to the accumulated effects of progesterone (on lupron, you take a daily 2.5-5 mg dose) OR not enough estrogen. I am experimenting with the latter at the moment, by increasing the estrogen and will see how that goes. Although 150 mcg sounds a lot, I guess it has to be remembered I'm not producing any of my own (due to the suppressing effects of lupron).
Briony, I wonder if the birth control pill you are on is designed to do something similar to the lupron - i.e. temper the effects of progesterone in your cycle? I would be interested to hear which one you are on.
Thanks again for sharing people - it's really helpful while I walk through this peri-menopausal minefield!