Help! Which HRT worked for you?

[Anonymous]

I was on one estrogen therapy which caused some complications.

A friend said the estradiol patch worked well.

Can you share what HRT you used or use now and how well it did or did not work?

I’d love to learn about people’s experiences to help me prep for a discussion with my doctor.

[Anonymous]

You can get estrogen from a patch, a cream, or a pill. The pill is riskier than the patch or cream. Different bodies are different, so what works for most people might not work for you.

Was your side effect from the estrogen itself? If so, then it doesn’t matter what form you get it in.

You’ll also take progesterone if you have a uterus.

[Anonymous]

I’ve had excellent success with estradiol and norethindrone pills. I had some minor side effects in the first week or two and since then it’s been years of restful sleep, zero hot flashes/night sweats, and restored cognitive clarity. I’m very grateful for HRT and only sorry I got started as late as I did.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve had excellent success with estradiol and norethindrone pills. I had some minor side effects in the first week or two and since then it’s been years of restful sleep, zero hot flashes/night sweats, and restored cognitive clarity. I’m very grateful for HRT and only sorry I got started as late as I did.

Thanks! I’ll ask about the patch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can get estrogen from a patch, a cream, or a pill. The pill is riskier than the patch or cream. Different bodies are different, so what works for most people might not work for you.

Was your side effect from the estrogen itself? If so, then it doesn’t matter what form you get it in.

You’ll also take progesterone if you have a uterus.

Thanks!

How is the pill riskier? What problems happen?

OP

[Anonymous]

The patch doses the hormones locally - you usually place it on your lower abdomen say right below your underwear line. The pills fo through your full system.

I use a combination estrogen/progesterone patch - it has worked well for me. My night sweats, hot flashes, and sleep are much better since starting it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The patch doses the hormones locally - you usually place it on your lower abdomen say right below your underwear line. The pills fo through your full system.

I use a combination estrogen/progesterone patch - it has worked well for me. My night sweats, hot flashes, and sleep are much better since starting it.

Wrong. The patch dispenses systemic hormones. The vaginal estradiol cream (.01% concentration) dispenses hormones locally.

[Anonymous]

I use an estrogen gel that comes in a packet, plus oral progesterone. I smear the gel on my thigh and alternate legs each day. It does take 15 or so minutes to dry and has to stay uncovered until then. A little inconvenient but doable.

I didn’t want the patch because some adhesives bother my skin.

[Anonymous]

Estrogen patch bypasses absorption by the liver. Testosterone cream inner thigh. Progesterone 200 mg pill bc 100 was not enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Estrogen patch bypasses absorption by the liver. Testosterone cream inner thigh. Progesterone 200 mg pill bc 100 was not enough.

And estridol insert tablet twice a week.

[Anonymous]

Loestrin fe pill

[Anonymous]

Thank you. My doctor just gave me one type of pill. When I said it wasn’t feeling like it was working well, they didn’t suggest any options.

I’ll make an appointment with a different doctor, and maybe they will be able to help more.

[Anonymous]

I have mirena (progesterone) and the estradiol patch. Been a month and went from 20 to 2-3 hot flashes a day. Hoping brain fog (memory) improves.

[Anonymous]

Transdermal Estradiol patch or vaginal estrogen is safest and unless you had hysterectomy, you've to have Progesterone as well.

[Anonymous]

Estradoil .075 patch. No issues.