Progynova TS Estradiol 50 patches

Last year I finally tried Hrt after over 5 years of no periods I coped with flushes and irritability anxiety and thought I was doing ok then I became sleep deprived worse flushes hot and cold all night and thoroughly exhausted I realized I hadn't had uninterupted sleep for nearly 2 years. I was 59 the Dr gave me Everol conti 50 patches at first it was amazing going to bed and actually falling asleep and not waking up every hour or no sleep at all was wonderful, my libido improved plus mood just felt great. After about 3 months on the patches I felt like my ovaries were coming alive I started having engorged breasts and put weight on, the bleeding started not heavy at first then by 4 months I was having a period more or less which just felt wrong at my age plus not having a period for over 5 years. Any how Dr sent me to Gynecologist had a ultra sound plus biopsi (all happened really quick was welI inpressed with health service) Everything was fine to much estrogen I reckon. The gyno said stop taking patches eat Yam and take antidepressant, which I could relate to as yam and sweet potato do have benefits, though anti depressant as it's own side affects. So after bei g off the patch for a month everything came back no sleep terrible anxiety flushes sweats etc. So I decided to chop my patch in half and see how I go. So coming up to five months now no bleeding so far, sleeping ok no flushes or irritibilty anxiety, but my breasts have grown again and I have put on 1/2 a stone maybe more though I am working from home and In Lockdown and less exercise. So I thin k I will stick with it I will turn 60 soon I just worry is it good for me will I get cancer should I stop and live with the menapausal symptoms , though I do feel brighter and laugh more, the weight In crease is a issue. I will carry on and see.

Vagifem brilliant for local uro-genital problems. No (or insignificant) systemic absorption so no help for flushes, osteoporosis prevention, cardiovascular benefits. Does mean it can be used when the womb is still present without the need for progetogen either as Mirena or orally, combined patch or gel.

Another alternative - Vagifem which is based on estradiol.
A pessary inserted into the vagina. I'm over 80 and have been using them since I was late 50s.
With me, it was because vaginal dryness leads to UTIs.
But you do need to discuss this with your GP as it's not "one fits all."

Hello Esspee, yes its just miserable having to rub on 4 pumps of the gel, then walking about for 10-20 mins while it dries on the skin so it doesn't remove most of the dosage onto your clothes.

The Evorel are so easy, and I can tell within hours if the patch dosage is running low or Im a day late in changing it. I've been on those since my 40's after much trial and error so the gel scenario came as a bit of a shock.

I had hysterectomy at 40 but have ovaries. Started on estradiol lowest dose at mid 50s and thought as now nearly 63 should try to wean off. Dr seemed happy when I mentioned this although I'm otherwise fit and well with no worrying family history. Anyway, been suffering again and re-thinking coming off hrt. So slowly getting back to taking regularly and will discuss with GP once I see her next!

I'm 74 and have no intention of stopping HRT until I lose my marbles and can't remember to use it. Bit risky to start it later in life when there may be pre-existing vascular damage but very safe if started at the time of the menopause or soon after. After the age of 70 should ideally be parenteral (transdermal or implant) to avoid passage through the liver which increases thrombosis (clotting) risks. Also safer before 70 but more expensive for the health service. Evorel is now available again and the adhesive seems better. I think manufacturer (certainly packaging) has changed. Did initially have to cut 50s in half when it first became available again.

@cupafful. Like you I’ve temporarily gone on to gel due to my implant clinic being closed and I am not happy. It seems to control the symptoms but is just a drag having to put such a lot on every single day. It must be way more expensive than my two tiny implants per year.
With implants I love that I only have to think about it twice a year instead of every single day.
May I ask you how much you use and where you were told you could spread it?

cupaffull
I have been able to get evorel patches since March. I had read on the internet that supplies were returning so I rang local pharmacies and found one who could get them. Perhaps you could check in your area.

Can I just ask please does anyone know why there are supply issues with HRT patches? Have been happily slapping on Evorel patches for 20 years since having a hysterectomy and felt perfectly well on them. Due to "supply problems" GP has changed me to daily gel application. Its messy and inconvenient and I feel totally out of sorts, thoroughly miserable in fact.
I'm so desperate I may have to fly abroad and buy some...

Thanks everyone for all your comments - much appreciated. Have now been able to make an appointment for blood tests for both thyroid & diabetes(think that diabetes may be aggravating this, as my last test showed up as 48, & until now, due to Covid-19 restrictions, have not been able to make a follow up appointment to get it retested). Also wonder if the Progynova 50 dosage is too high, so will ask the Dr when I get the blood results.

I’ve tried Everol Conti patches but they wouldn’t stay on when hot in the summer months. I now use oral HRT and although the first tablet I used caused breast tenderness as the dose was too high I tried a lower dose and it was much better.
Women in my family have died from heart disease, there has been no incidence of breast cancer so I concluded that taking HRT was probably beneficial for me.

I’ve been on Femseven conti then out of stock so then evorel conti for 12 years....which worried me until I read some of these comments. Got another letter from doctor recently asking me to discuss use of HRT as recent research has raised risks again. Problems with supply last year so ended up buying some in Cape Town of all places! Now available in UK and I got evorel patches in March.
I’ve been cutting patch in half for several months now as I do worry about breast cancer. I’m so happy to see that some women have been using HRT for 20 or 30 years with no problems, very reassuring for a scaredy cat like me!

Toddy, I'm 65 and on HRT but started it in my late forties. No problems at all and I go for all the available checks. I used to be on 1/10mg Elleste Duo but that's unobtainable so have swapped to Femoston 1/10mg. Provided there are no medical reasons not to take it, I can't see a problem.

Like you I am on a combination of the patches and the coil. The patches are the 25 strength and I have had no problems at all. Perhaps as previously mentioned you need the lower strength patches? Good luck.

@Toddy I am 71. I have been on HRT since my hysterectomy at age 40. Happy to answer any questions you might have. My consultant is one of the top people in the field and she is happy for me to continue indefinitely.

@Lupatria Implants are available. I've been on them for 30+ years and don't intend to stop.
Because of the current pandemic my clinic has been closed so I am temporarily on gel. Can't wait to get back to my implant.
Please don't take pills. Ask for any transdermal method instead if you are refused implants. With HRT pills you need a huge dose because it passes through the liver and can cause blood clots etc.
Happy to discuss this if you want to PM me.

I was put on HRT patches when I was 48 but unfortunately 3 years later was diagnosed with breast cancer so had to come off them immediately. Maybe you should discuss with your doctor about trying a different patch which may suit you you better.

I’m 62 Toddy but I think there are rules about starting once ur over 60....I was 49.

Can I ask if anyone over 60 and on hrt?

Love them love them love them!!!!!
Doctor forced me off last year after 10 years but after 5 months of misery I was ‘allowed’ back on them....!
Only problem I have is sometimes getting the glue scrubbed off my behind!!!!!

I used Estraderm with no problem for some years, but my pharmacist says the patches aren't available now, so I'm back to tablets.

Hi there, have been on Estradot 50 patches for six years but they are now unavailable. GP has changed me over to Progynova, which I’d never heard of, but am dreading changing over as I’m so sensitive to change. I’m still eking out the remainder of my Estradot patches as I managed to buy some in Tenerife before the lockdown. If you’ve only just started HRT, Poshbee, it can take a little while for your body to adjust.

I tried this for a few months without success,once I stopped, the unbearable itch down under stop as well. By the way,if the patches is for menopause,eating sweet potato and soya products may help.

Our experiences cannot be your experiences, we are all slightly different and react in different ways.

Please contact your doctor and talk it through with them.

Disclosure- retired doc with interest in menopause. Sounds as if you are just getting a bit too much oestrogen and would be better with 25 rather than 50. Most patches can be cut in half. Please try and contact your own prescriber before doing anything. Would only need a telelecon consultation in most cases.