Weeloz, both the patches you mention there are combined patches with both estrogen and a progestin in them. Whilst this seems simpler at first glance (and probably why regular GPs prescribe them so much) I don't think it's the best place to start - or it wasn't for me.
The progestin in them is synthetic/human-made, as compared to the body identical progesterone utrogestan. Research suggests that utrogestan is actually good for our health in many different ways (bone health, breast health/risk, dementia, and often mood/sleep). Whereas the synthetic progestins have many negative effects on health.
The other more practical issue is it's very common for women to need more estrogen than is in the combined patches (which only provide 50mcg - which is actually too much for me, but anyway
![Grin ;D](https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/Smileys/extended/grin.gif)
) And then things can get complicated because you could add in gel separately - but some GPs don't believe there is enough progestin in the combined patch for anything more than the estrogen it comes with. So what do you do then... add more separate progestin? Really most women end up being switched again (more change) to a separate estrogen and progesterone.... so why not start with them separate to begin with, then you can tailor things exactly how you need them...