It does seem as if everyone I know is suddenly going on HRT, and I guess the science is supporting its use. I will say I have one early adopter friend who was all in on HRT about 10 years ago- she was late 40s/early50s then and had great results. She then got uterine cancer a couple of years ago- of course I have no idea if it’s related, and honestly probably just coincidence but it did scare me off a little. I have a lot of cancer in my family history so worry about that. I do use the estradiol vaginal cream, my dr really encourages that for everyone over age 50.
I couldn’t decide whether to post here or on the insomniac thread. My pharmacy was out of progesterone and it was delayed by12 days. I was back to waking up early in the am again. Since going back on it a few days ago I’m back to sleeping better.
Also anyone else have a problem refilling their estradiol patches. CVS was out and the pharmacist said the distributor was also out and he didn’t know when they would have them back in stock. I checked Costco, Walgreens and the independent pharmacy and no luck. I found it on Amazon Pharmacy and it should be delivered tomorrow. As much as I hated using Amazon I want my patches.
I get mine at Walmart neighborhood pharmacy and I haven’t had an issue- yet. I know I’d have trouble sleeping without progesterone and estrogen!
I posted in another thread that I started HT about a month ago. Estrogen only, lowest dose patch. I think I sleep so much better now, and ny energy levels are back to normal!
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Ugh. I’m sorry. I use CVS in Northern New England. No supply issues with Estradoil patches or Progesterone yet. Knock on wood.
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I hope this is allowed. Mods please remove if not. This is a copy and paste of a public post made by an OB-gyn friend of mine:
PSA from your gynecologist Facebook friend: There is a global shortage on the twice weekly estradiol patches that likely won’t be resolved overnight. That said, you have options. You could try the once weekly patch which is a little larger in diameter than the one you are used to and reportedly comes off easier; you could switch to a gel, cream, pill or ring or try a different dosage if your pharmacy has one dose but not the other. The gel, cream and ring are often a bit more expensive than the patches. The oral form carries more thromboembolic risk.
If you are low and will soon need a refill, consider calling your pharmacy to see if they have your dosage. If not, maybe call around to other pharmacies to see if there is availability elsewhere. A couple of my patients have said they are available at Costco, but that was last week. I have also heard that small, local pharmacies can get them easier. If you can’t find your dosage at a pharmacy near you, consider asking if they have it in the once weekly version. If not, consider a dosage that is close to the dose you are on. They come in 0.025mg, 0.0375 mg, 0.05 mg, 0.075 mg and 0.1. You can explore availability of an alternative dose. If no luck, consider an alternate form mentioned above. It is easy to match the dose, but it may cost a little more depending upon your insurance. If you have done this homework prior to calling your provider, the process will be quicker and easier. Don’t panic! Also keep in mind that your physician has a million of these calls and is doing their best☺️ dont wait until you are completely out to figure it out.
Hope this helps!
It’s out…the International Menopause Societies review of and current recommendations for HRT and more
Is there a synopsis somewhere? I do have a lot free time, but this is 280 pages long!
EDIT: NM. I bet I can get that in the abstract at the beginning
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13697137.2025.2585487#abstract
And summary also on page 7 of the link
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Each section has a summary at the end.
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I’ve been back on HRT for 5 months, Estrogen patch and progesterone pill. The last few days I’ve had bleeding. Luckily I have daughters so I have supplies in my house. Not quite a period amount but more than spotting. Per Google this isn’t unusual in the first 6 months. I have an appointment with my internist next week and I’ll discuss with her. My gynecologist who prescribed the hormones doesn’t take my insurance so I would rather not go to her.
How frustrating. What dosage is your patch and oral progesterone?
I was talking to someone else about this and she was on one of the higher level doses and started bleeding. Her doctor backed the dose down one level and she’s been fine. I am on the 2nd dose up from the lowest dose on the patch and have not had any bleeding.
100 mg progesterone, .0375 mg patch
You could also possibly have a polyp or fibroid? That’s been my experience lately re: symptoms you’re describing.
I’ve also thought of that. I’m going to ask my internist her opinion and for a referral to a new gynecologist. She’s part of a huge medical group and I know they take my insurance.
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Is this commensurate with what you were taking before?
You had written, “back on,” I think. I used to take prempro which is a .05 estrogen and 150 progesterone. I switched to an estrogen patch and micronized progesterone.kept the same level on the estrogen, but a 150 mg pill wasn’t an option - it was 100 or 200. I asked about taking the lower 100 mg rather than bumping up to 200 mg. My doc said bigger risk of bleeding with the lower dosage.
No idea, but I’m just sharing my own experience. I hope you get everything sorted out!
I had gone off HRT for several years but about 6 months ago I started not sleeping and overheating. Went back to the gynecologist and she didn’t have a problem with me restarting.
Right after that I went on Medicare and her office isn’t a provider for Medicare. I could go see her but I’d have to pay out of pocket. That’s still an option if the bleeding continues.
When I first started I was on a combination patch for several years but started having bleeding. Switched to the pill form of progesterone and the estradiol patch. I don’t recall what dosage it was.
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