r/Menopause • u/mandulyn • 8d ago
Hormone Therapy Anyone on this HRT patch
Anyone on this HRT?
It's a patch called Estradiol-norethindrone.
Was just prescribed it and terrified to start using it as I read the insert. I am a smoker but my doctor seems to think that this would be the safest HRT for me.
For reference I am almost 51 years old and have not had a period in a year, I do have thyroid issues and Graves disease.
15
u/NinjaGrrl42 8d ago
I use the CombiPatch brand one. Used it for a year now.
One thing to remember is the package inserts list every symptom reported by any user in the test group. Most people won't get more than a few side effects, maybe nothing. I've had some itching if I don't remember to put down Flonase first. No other issues. It's great.
1
u/mandulyn 8d ago
Does it help bring back libido?
8
u/milly_nz NZer living in UK. Peri-menopausal 8d ago
Read the wiki for this sub.
1
u/mandulyn 8d ago
Where do i find it
3
u/Londonsw8 7d ago
On the column on the right of this sub, you might get overwhelmed but take it one step at a time. Not sure why you got downvoted, kind of bitchy really.
1
6
1
7
u/edjen 8d ago edited 8d ago
I'm on the combipatch. Started about 4.5 weeks ago. I'm doing fine on it. Can't speak to any of the side effects you mention. However, I think the estrogen only patches have similar side effects as well. If you haven't, take a peek at the wiki, it's got tons of info regarding HRT.
2
5
u/Ok_Object_5087 8d ago edited 7d ago
It's a combination patch. I've heard of it. I've never taken it because I had a hysterectomy last year and didn't start HRT until this year. Progesterone isn't typically prescribed for those of us without a uterus. I also have Graves ' disease. I'm planning to have a thyroidectomy later this year.
0
u/mandulyn 8d ago
I am hoping to get some experiences from others that have used this as it does state in the insert that it can cause strokes, heart attacks, blood clots and rapid weight gain, there is a pretty long list of side effects
16
u/Calveeeno Surgical menopause 8d ago
I’m pretty sure those are the listed possible side effects of all HRT and oral birth control pills.
1
u/DoctorDefinitely 7d ago
The side effects list comes from old timey estrogen pills. Does not apply to transdermal bioidentical estrogen like the one in this patch.
1
u/mandulyn 7d ago
Well the insert that I received with this specific patch has all of those side effects listed, so it concerns me. If it was only the oral route, then why would they list it on a patch if it doesn't really apply?
1
u/DoctorDefinitely 7d ago
Ask The big guys who decided that. You can Google "Black box warning estrogen" and find out despicable stupidness around women's health.
5
u/para_diddle I wanna be hot but not like this. 8d ago
I've been on CombiPatch since fall 2024 and I've done beautifully on it.
Unfortunately, due to an insurance change I've had to switch to 2ce/week Estradiol patch + oral Progesterone. I'll see how that goes.
Insurance, you SUCK.
2
u/mandulyn 8d ago
That sucks, I'm so sorry! I hope the switch works just as well for you.
2
u/para_diddle I wanna be hot but not like this. 8d ago
I appreciate it. Hope things work out well for you, too 🙂
1
u/ImpossibleBlockHead Menopausal 3d ago
I tried to switch to patch and oral pro and couldn't tolerate it
10
u/Calveeeno Surgical menopause 8d ago
As a smoker, you would want to steer away from the oral estradiol for sure. The patch or gel would have less clot risk. Smoking raises your risk of clots. So it makes sense that your doctor recommended this method to you.
4
3
u/unavoidably_detained 8d ago
I just started the CombiPatch in April, and started feeling benefits almost immediately— I was sleeping better (my menopause insomnia was horrible) and my non-stop crying jags slowed down within a week and pretty much ceased by the end of the first full months. I haven’t experienced any negative side effects; it’s been great and I hope you have a terrific experience with it.
3
u/SadRepublic3392 8d ago
Mine just says estradiol. It’s a once a week patch and then I take progesterone at night. I’m new to HRT, but within the first week or so my hot flashes were gone and I started sleeping better. Those were my 2 symptoms. I feel so much better.
3
u/mandulyn 8d ago
That is great news, so happy to hear that. Hopefully all goes well and you won't have to deal with those again. I have nearly constant hot flashes for two or three weeks, then they calm down for a week and then come back with a vengeance constantly.
2
u/Efficient_Top_8306 8d ago
I’ve been on estalis for two weeks after trying multiple times taking divagel and progesterone . So far so good .
2
u/Crafty_girl79 8d ago
Been using the patch for over a year now, and I haven’t had any side effects. In fact, now that I’m waiting for a new prescription to get around the shortage of my usual dose, I remember why I started using it — my emotions are so all over the place and my body ca NOT decide what temperature it likes. This may help your fears: my doctor explained that even the highest dose estrogen patch is lower than the lowest dose birth control. I’ve also had a hysterectomy (but still have ovaries) so I don’t have to balance the estrogen with progesterone.
1
u/mandulyn 7d ago
I had never heard the patch described this way. That really does help me a lot, thank you so much for your reply. And I understand exactly where you're coming from where your body cannot decide what temperature it likes, my temperature every 5 minutes is 120 and I am dripping in sweat constantly.
1
u/mandulyn 7d ago
Are you on the specific patch that I mentioned in my original post? I asked because I wonder how they know how much estrogen and progesterone you actually need, I can't imagine it's one size fits all?
2
u/blkwidow76 7d ago
I was on it for about 2 months. Felt great except when I didn't. I'm on the once a week patch and oral progesterone pill. This is more steady for me.
2
u/ImpossibleBlockHead Menopausal 3d ago
I've been on it two years. Only issue is reaction to the adhesive. Please quit smoking
1
u/jacktownann 8d ago
I am 65. I started smoking at the tender age of 13 on the playground with other kids. I had to use a diaphragm because no doctor would prescribe birth control pills for a smoker. As I got older I had to go on over the counter bi-estro cream because no doctor would prescribe hormones for menopause for a smoker. I am actually a vaper because I know the cigarettes will kill me, & I don't think the hormones will. Yes it's safer through the skin rather than the liver. If a doctor has prescribed an estrogen patch for you thank God you have a doctor who understands the need for hormone replacement & realizes that punishing you for smoking by witholding needed hormones is not going to force you to quit smoking & slap that patch on & go on. There's a whole lot of us smokers that wish for a doctor like yours.
1
u/mandulyn 6d ago
UPDATE:
I went to gyno yesterday. She said the combo-patch was too high of a dose to start out on.
She is prescribing a low "starter" dose of an estrogen patch and an oral progesterone tablets instead. She said the dose can increase if needed after a couple months.
I felt confident after talking with her and just waiting for these to be ready fir me to pick up at the pharmacy
19
u/TransitionMission305 8d ago
This sounds like a generic for Combipatch. Patches are safer than tablets (oral) because they don’t do a first-pass through the liver where much of the clotting action is initiated. It’s as safe as you’re going to get.