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[Eggcustard]

Hi, I’ve been on evorel 50 for a while, saw menopause specialist who suggested gel but found it too messy.
Did blood test which shows still at menopausal levels of estrogen so I assume I’m not absorbing it.

Does that mean I won’t absorb ALL types of patch or gel?

I used to be on femseven until stock ran out and I did feel better than now but still pretty awful (have fibro so difficult to separate out the symptoms)

I don’t know whether to try femseven at higher dose because I don’t know whether I won’t absorb that either.

What else is there if I’m not absorbing topical estrogen??

Thanks

[CLKD]

Blood tests are reliably unreliable!

Each one of us will have a different level of oestrogen etc..   MayB keep a mood/food/symptom diary to chart progress?

List your symptoms so that we can give more of an over-view?  'for a while' = how long?

[Eggcustard]

Thanks for the reply.

I had a hysterectomy so definitely in menopause but it’s difficult to tell which symptoms are menopause and which are fibro and I also have quite low b12.
I’ve been on Evorel since stocks ran out so probably about 2 years and I’m getting worse and worse.

My estrogen level on the blood test was 96 which is in the menopausal range, I have read that a good level is 400. I understand that they can be unreliable but would they be that far out??

I have a lot going on at home with my daughter (anxious teenager) so having to keep chopping and changing isn’t very easy either (I end up shouting).

I’ve also been prescribed testosterone but am too scared to take it in case I get shouty again.

When I tried the sandrena gel at a higher dose I had really sore boobs, migraine etc and I really don’t want to use gel because I don’t  wash at the same time every day so I might be washing it off and it’s a real faff compared to a patch or pill.

Just a bit stuck really

[CLKD]

MayB time for an over-all review of the medication?  Let us know how you get on.  Hopefully someone will be along with more advice. 

[Eggcustard]

Currently on Evorel 100.
Have been prescribed testosterone but haven’t taken that yet. Tried sandrena but side effects and faff not good

[Nas]

As you have had a hysterectomy, you will more than likely need Oestrogen of some type.

Your options for transdermal HRT, are essentially patch, gel or spray.
Then obviously there are various oral types which come in 1/2 mg doses.

You are the top of the licensed dose of patch at 100mg. If you are still symptomatic on that dose, then you would need a referral to a menopause specialist, for further advise. Specialists can prescribe higher doses and monitor with bloods tests, 3 monthly to check for absorption. 96 on a 100 patch suggests you are not absorbing well and you also  have symptoms.

Some women find they need to top up their patch with gel or spray, to get relief.

Your Oestrogen level needs to be within a certain range, to protect your bones, brain and  heart and I’m pretty sure if you google Chelsea and Westminster hospital, under the menopause section, they say around the 200 mark.

Definitely get back to your GP to start the ball rolling for a referral to a MS I would.

Perhaps give the testosterone a trial? A tiny blob a couple of times a week?

Best of luck 🤞🤞🤞🙂

[Wrensong]

Yes, at 96 your oestradiol is really quite low. 

If there's a chance you would wash off gel or spray too soon I would ask to try another type of patch as many of us find we get quite different absorption between brands.  Bloods have shown I get poor absorption from Evorel & much better from Estradot - just under 300pmol/L from a 37.5mcg patch. 

Also, application site may affect how well you absorb & making sure the patch is always well stuck down.  I apply Estradot to butt, after finding a study showing better absorption from that site than elsewhere - sorry no time to search for the ref today.  I also hold the patch down with flat of warm hand for 1 minute on application & make sure it's still sticking well after showering.  I'm sure you know this, but best to apply where edges can't catch in clothing & get turned up.

Another thing a few of us do is change twice weekly patches every 3 days (instead of 3.5 or 3+4) to keep levels up & avoid any possible reduction in dose as the patch ages.