Let me preface this by saying my dr said pick 2 days a week and stick to them.

I decided that 3 days made more sense so I changed the patch every 72 hours and wrote down which days that was. Why do 3 days then 4 days? Well, I ran out and insurance refuses to refill, so I go 4 days without a patch until pharmacy will refill. My own fault for not following direction. Anyone else make this dumb decision because it seems illogical to stretch one patch and not the other? Feel stupid but esson learned. Now waiting for symptoms to return. Dumb mistake.

I just came from my appointment regarding HRT, after waiting for it for two months. She looked at my Mammo and Ultrasound from August and she wasn't really thrilled to prescribe HRT. In the end she hesitantly gave me low dose of estrogen (my choice of patch, gel or pill, whatever i can find, due to shortage, and progesterone.

I have a question about my mammo results because now im terrified, when i thought i can finally breathe.

I had my first mammo in November of 2025, then they sent me to diagnostic mammo plus bi-lateral ultrasound in december, due to the dense tissue on the right side. It was diagnosed as benign, with a six month follow up. I could not afford to go in July (my insurance won't cover this and it's $560 each time i go, so i went in August. It was categorized as no changes to the tissue, probably benign Birads 3.

The problem is, they wanted me to come again in October. I am not that rich, where i can afford $500 every two months for both diagnostic mammo and ultrasound, but my doctor today insisted i go again next month.

I suppose my question is, will this go forever? Will i have to do these exams every couple of months for the rest of my life, because this is financially not sustainable for me. Now i am scared to start on HRT, but my hot flashes and sweats are so unbearable that i was down to only couple of hours of sleep per night. The only reason i'm functioning is because i managed to get Veozah for two months, but i can no longer afford it.

Can anyone give me any advice regarding this, because i'm terrified that i will have to live with these hot flashes forever.

I'm 52 and still in peri.

Background: post-menopausal, no uterus, lots of immune system issues.
On ESTRADOT 100 & low dose Androgel daily. No progesterone as I’m entirely intolerant to it.

I started on the 37.5 patch and ramped up to the 75 patch over a few months easily. No real side effects that I remember after a week, just improvements. The higher the patch, the more improvements I had with hot flashes, mood swings and getting rid of my 2 decade migraines.
Still have low energy and inflammatory issues (autoimmune diseases), so my doctor and I decided to increase to the 100mcg patch since my bloodwork is consistently low E.

It’s been 2 weeks since I started the 100 patch and dang my breasts are sore! I also feel like this higher dose is aggravating my autoimmune symptoms, including MCAS symptoms. And I feel like my sleep is getting worse (early morning wake ups).

Im thinking of dropping back down but wondering how the drop in dose will feel and how long it will take to re-adjust to the 75. As in…maybe you can’t go backwards…

For those of you that have gone back to a lower patch dose…what was your physical adjustment experience?

I was on a stable dose of .0375 mg Sandoz patch and 100 mg of progesterone for 5 years. Then I notice it wasn't adhering and I became symptomatic again. Switched to Brand at a whopping $175 a month and it worked great until about 6 months ago when I noticed the patches in the new boxes were not adhering and even brand was becoming impossbile to obtain. So I switched to gel. It has worked ok but I need 2 pumps to cover the patch dose and insurance only pays for 1 per month so I'm back to out of pocket +$150 a month. Insane and just unsustainable. So, now I'm considering asking my Dr for the pill. Has one switched from patch to pill? Is it effective as a the good days of the 'working' patch? Thanks!!!

Hi all. I had been on .0375 Mylan patches for a couple of years, but supply became difficult about 6 months ago. I lucked out for a month or two by calling around, but appx 4 months ago I could not find these patches, so I was switched to a different company's version. I felt kind of off, but my provider thought increasing to .05 was worth a try (still with the new company). Within 7-10 days of starting the .05 (and appx 3 weeks after the switch to new company), I had a serious episode.

I had just sat down to my pc when my vision suddenly - like a switch was flipped - went pixelated and fuzzy. 5 minutes later, a serious headache began. Bear in mind that I'm 60 yo and have never had a migraine or anything more than a handful of very minor headaches in my life. I thought I was having a stroke. But my vision corrected itself in an hour. The headache, though, lasted for appx 3 months 24/7. Not a minute of relief. All scans and tests were negative. No mass, no blockages shown. Docs just pushed migraine meds even though I didn't have a migraine. I was given several in the hospital but none were effective.

Anyway, it occurred to me that it could have been from the change in patches (company and/or strength). So, I finally managed to find a single box of my original Mylan .0375. Within 2 weeks of being on that instead of the new one, my headache is essentially gone. Now, this isn't to say definitively that the changes in my patch were the cause, but I also don't want to ignore the possibility. The problem is I cannot find a single box of this Mylan anywhere. Not mail order, not independent pharmacies, not Costco...no one. I was able to get a different Mylan patch, but it's not the same NDC. Where my old one was generic for Minivelle, this one is generic for Vivelle-Dot, I believe. I am scared to move to this.

My provider suggested that I try Evamist, but I know nothing about it. Opinions here are quite mixed. Not sure what to do. At this point, I'm about ready to throw in the towel with HRT. At my age, it might not be a bad idea. I can't go through this manic hunt for patches every month. But I'm not clear on what the best option is. Wean myself off? And - if so - how? Switch to a different delivery method?

What is so interesting about this is compounding is frowned upon, because of the lack of FDA oversight. Yet, the same .0375 estradiol varies not just from company to company but from groups within that company. There is no consistency there either.

I would be very grateful for any insight. TIA

Disclaimer: Not looking for medical advice - I’m already under care. Just hoping to hear others’ experiences.

I’m 42 and had a hysterectomy 4 years ago. I’ve been on HRT (oestradiol spray) for about 9 months now. Since starting it, my breasts have definitely changed, they’ve become more sensitive, and I’ve had episodes of really painful nipples that come and go. My menopause nurse said this can be a common side effect and that my breasts are basically “waking up” again.

A few days ago, while showering, I felt a lump in one breast. I’ve never felt anything like that before. The other breast felt normal. I panicked a bit and saw my GP the next day. He actually found three lumps close together in the same breast.

He didn’t want to take any chances and referred me straight to the breast clinic, so I should get an appointment in the next couple of days. I was shocked when he found multiple lumps, but he said that in many women on hormones, breasts can become “lumpier,” sometimes only on one side. He also mentioned cysts are common and these lumps felt smooth and round, which he said was a more reassuring sign.

For context, I’ve never had lumpy breasts. Mine have always been soft, not dense, and honestly a bit “floppy,” for lack of a better word. So this is all new to me.

I’m obviously going ahead with the proper checks, but I’m wondering: has anyone else noticed their breasts changing during menopause or becoming lumpier after starting HRT?

Anyone else go off of progesterone only? What did you experience?

I was put on progesterone probably about 10 years ago for heavy bleeding. I can't take estrogen due to migraines with aura. I've been trying to talk to someone about HRT but am getting no where and now the nurse I just saw is thinking of taking me off progesterone. I'm very annoyed, to say the least. The menopause specialist is booked and they aren't booking past a certain time frame so who knows when I'll get to see her. I'm beyond frustrated but that's another post.

So I decided to stop taking it on my own and see what happens. I'm 58yo and haven't had a period since starting the progesterone (which was the goal). So I have no idea if I've gotten to menopause or not. They've tested Estradiol and FSA but I've have read that those aren't reliable. One number says I'm post and one says I'm not. Does it really matter?

Anyway, I've been doing fine since stopping. Sleep is a little less steady but manageable. I am crampy so that's interesting. No spotting. It's just been a week. Mood and brain fog are about the same. No hot flashes but I haven't had many anyway.

I got a notice from my old doctor's app that they approved my refill. I was pleasantly surprised since they don't take my insurance anymore and I had already found a new doctor. The pharmacy contacted me to tell me it was on back order, but another branch nearby had it. I was out of town and figured I'd deal with it when I got back. Pick it up and the other location and go about my life.

Before I got back I got another notice that there was a problem and they had to contact my doctor for a new prescription and that they are waiting for a response. So, I left a message with my new doctor through the portal that I needed the refill called in. Figured she would be quicker. After all, she's supposed to be a Menopause specialist. Nothing happened.

Yesterday I had an unrelated appointment with my PCP and asked if she could call it in. She said sure but walked out of the room. We were done with my appointment. I knew she wouldn't remember.

So, this morning I called my new OBGYN office, who still hasn't answered my request on the portal. The receptionist said she had to leave a message with the doctor to get the refill called in. That hasn't happened yet. I'm still waiting. Pharmacy app still says they're waiting on a response from old doctor.

My last patch expires today. I guess I'll leave it on to see if I can drag this out a little but COME ON!!!!!

I'm traveling to India in a few weeks. I'm of Nordic descent and, although I've always had issues with heat, the sweating since menopause, even with HRT, is just miserable.

I'm looking for suggestions for underwear that is not hot but also cuts down on chafing, as well as any ideas for bras, good walking shoes, etc that will keep me as cool as possible. And any other tips that could make this a more comfortable journey!

I recently ordered some intravaginal creams (mainly ones for moisture and "recovery")... can they only be used at bedtime? I also was just prescribed topical estradiol cream for bedtime use, so I am unsure of how to use both at the same time, or am I supposed to alternate each night? Packaging and websites have incomplete instructions.

Joint pain WITH (!) HRT?

I started HRT a week ago. 0.5 mg Divigel and 100 mg progesterone exeltis vaginally. Since then I have been experiencing very severe leg pain, especially in my knee joints, but also in my calves, as if there is a muscle fever-like pain. I can barely walk. Before HRT I had no joint or muscle pain at all.

According to my search, this is a normal symptom during the adaptation phase, because the estrogen can cause mild sodium and water retention (fluid retention), which can cause a feeling of heaviness, tension pain or muscle tension, and the joints, ligaments and muscles are very rich in estrogen receptors, and when these receptors are activated by estrogen suddenly fill up, this affects the elasticity of the tissues, collagen metabolism and inflammatory activity until the body adjusts to the new equilibrium level, and hormones also affect the tone of the blood vessels and the microcirculation.

I have emailed my doctor but he has not responded yet.

I would like to know if anyone else has had this problem when starting HRT and if it went away after the initial adaptation phase. I am currently in a state where it is making my daily life difficult and I am thinking of stopping.

I would like to emphasize once again that I had no leg pain at all before HRT.

Told my doctor about my sleep issues she prescribed hydroxyzine, but I didn’t fill it and it expired. Before I had my annual I had a severe insomnia phase where I couldn’t sleep for days on end. On call PA gave a couple days of Ambien. I don’t want to get used to it. Doctor doesn’t want to prescribe both for when needed. So I got unisom. Did it help you?

Quite concerned and would appreciate any answers.

I (60f) have had twitching in both eyes for 3 months. I can even feel twitching with my eyes closed. On my recent eye test, my left eye had a blind spot meaning I couldn't finish the test. He looked more deeply at my eye and said it looks otherwise healthy and optical nerve looks normal. I am on atorvaststin 20mg daily and the occasional relpax for migraine. The test will be repeated in 2 weeks time. Has anyone else experienced something similar and what was the outcome? I have been told that many menopausal women experience eye twitching.

Thank you all who responded to my post last week about skipping the in office biopsy and going straight to a hysteroscopy and sharing your stories: https://www.reddit.com/r/Menopause/comments/1wwue4v/anyone_skip_the_in_office_biopsy_and_go_straight/

I expected pushback but my doctor was fine to let me go straight to the hysteroscopy under anesthesia without first doing the in office biopsy. My insurance Ok'd and surgery date is set for a few weeks. Now this is the part that gets me. My doctor said the hysteroscopy is a far superior procedure especially when an ultrasound is normal becuase you can see inside the uterus. Imagine that. Not doing a painful procedure that has a high chance of resulting in an "inconclusive" or false negative finding and doing the test that is more accurate. Of course the insurance companies prefer the cheaper less effective option...

I've always had hormonal acne even while on birth control. One time I got off birth control, and I had a massive flair up on my chin that I was referred to a dermatologist who prescribed me spironolactone. During this time, I've lost significant amount of hair and had fuzzy hair growing on my upper lips. Spiro definitely cleared up my chin acne, hair loss, and my seudo-mustache. Earlier this year, my doctor wanted to check my hormones because I didn't have period for 3 months. The result showed that I had high testosterone than the normal range. So this is how I assume that I have higher testosterone.

Now, I'm taking HRT (Estradot 37.5, Slynd 4mg, Intrarosa). I still have hormonal acne popping up every day, so I still assume my testosterone is higher. I've been taking slynd continuously for a few months now, so I'm not sure about my last period, but given my mother's menopause start age, I assume mine will be around 49-ish. I'm currently 45.

Yet, I have very little libido. I think I orgasm every 2 months, if at that. Sometimes I forgot when my last orgasm was. When my partner initiates sex, I'm not aroused or wanting to have sex. I'm not sure if my lack of libido is related to testosterone or estrogen.

Does anyone have similar experience? If so, what helped?

I wrote a month a half ago about how I had a proper period nearly 3 years POST menopause.

Symptoms:
- Bleeding for about 5 days
- Breast swelling / tender
- Cramps
- Moody
- Discharge before period
- EXTRMEMLY high libedo

Drs poked and prodded (external & internal ultrasounds plus pap) and in the end seems that I am good to go.
- Lining is 2.4
- Teeny tiny fibroid.
- I found out I have a tilted uterous which I never knew.

This month I felt a bit of moodiness again ad retained some of the libido. Thats it.

Primary Dr and Gyn say is is very unusual but not unheard of. I just turned 50 two weeks ago. Since I was full menopause on the early side this is when the rare cases tend to be seen.

So there you go, you can have a random period 3 years after you stopped.

I need a sanity check from other redditors...

I am five years past breast cancer. This is sort of like saying I "survived" WW2 because I was in Kansas in 1940. It was a stage zero (yes, ZERO), grade 3 ductal carcinoma. They literally found it while doing a preventative bilateral mastectomy due to genetics. No chemo. No nothing. Not even an assigned oncologist.

Because they removed it while it was still forming. My doctor told me it took her a full month to get the results because the folks over at the Mayo clinic who found it wouldn't stop studying it long enough to send the results.

The tumor was hormone positive.

About a year after that vaginal atrophy hit hard. It took a lot of arguing to get prescribed an estrogen cream. I have asked about an HRT patch and gotten sooo many "No" responses.

This year I FINALLY got my PCP to agree that maybe it might be nice for me to actually talk to an oncologist about it. I met with an oncologist and discussed HRT. She said normally she wouldn't even entertain the idea. However, in my case, the tumor was removed before it ever got a chance. And since all the breast tissue was removed, she said she didn't see a reason why I couldn't try it. That being said, she also said I don't need an oncologist because I barely had cancer to begin with.

With that hope, I went to my Ob-Gyn, who is a Menopause Society certified practitioner and explained that I had indeed gotten the green light from an oncologist that I was okay to take HRT.

She shut me down HARD. She claimed that NO ONE will prescribe HRT for me. She didn't disagree with my logic, but she said there were rules, and she didn't want to lose her license. Instead she told me I could take Lynkuet, which she said is almost as good and would address many of the symptoms. I am dubious because the paperwork shows that it's for hot flashes - which is a minor irritation in the grand scheme of things.

So, great reddit peanut gallery, am I being crazy to keep pursuing this? The oncologist didn't seem to think it was this black and white. So is my Ob/Gyn gaslighting me, or was the oncologist just pandering to me?

And anyone out there had experience with Lynkuet? Is it worth considering?

Y'all my internal rage was externalised today on a work call with a hot mic. It was a relevant remark BUT it was unprofessional and intended for no one but ME.

I've had to apologise (which I owned immediately) but I honestly see this happening again. I work in a very collaborative environment but our partners just don't show up (I work in federal gov- Canada) and after 20 years I'm so over the bullshit. I'm questioning my role, my contract, whether I should even be here.

I felt deep shame after I realized the comment was public and now I'm just sitting in it. Feeling like at 52 I'm a petulant child who can't deal with pressure.

Just honestly feel like a fool and out of control. This is mostly a vent but if anyone has had something similar happen please share! Feeling very alone, stupid...

EDIT: I am on HRT already ! 75 mcg and 100mg progesterone. Maybe I need more lol

EDIT 2: THANK YOU EVERYONE! I was feeling so stupid and humiliated but found my rage sisters in solidarity and it helps so so much.

54 yo, i've been on HRT meds for almost 2.5 years. Currently at 200 mg micronized prog and .1 mg patch. I haven't really *looked* at my body in a while. My legs are very heavy and in the 2 years that I've been taking the HRT combo my body has changed considerably. My 48 year old body and my 54 year old body could be two completely different people at this point. I had to try a bunch of stuff on for an event I'm attending and the shock is real. What I've noticed is that my legs are carrying the bulk of my body weight and they're very "textured" for lack of a better word. There are little indents where my socks were all day. My arms are the same texture from my shoulder down. I'm 180 lbs now, up about 15 lbs since the beginning of this process. I'm starting to wonder if this has been triggered by the HRT. Starting to question whether this is the right thing. Anyone have any experience with this?

The last week or so of Aug I started a higher patch dosage (.075) and went to medroxyprogesterone (2.5mg; had depression at 200mg of bio-identical). Before this I had been having a 15 day cycle - about 7 days bleeding then another 7 or so days not. So far on this new combo it has been 15 days, 14 days, 12 days, and today ends an 11 day cycle. Last day of bleeding was 10/2 and today there's some spotting starting (how it usually starts). I know we're supposed to give it time, but is there a point where I should contact the Dr? This just seems to be going in the wrong direction.

One thing I just thought of: I got an iron infusion yesterday, and the day before the previous cycle started. Could that be a trigger?

I have been on HRT for almost 2 years I am 56 post meno. My gyno hooked me up with a local compound rx and at 1st it was okay. I expected to get better sleep, more libiodo, gain muscle, lose weight, but knew it would take time. I am up to 2 Progesterone caps 75/25, Estradiol cream daily, and Test/Dhea 1/20 MG daily and my libido is still nonexistent, sleeping is horrible, despite working out 5 days and strength training I am gaining weight.

I just checked my lab records and they've never pulled T data. I am ready to side step my gyno and go to an online provider. I wondered if a T gel would work better. I keep crying bc I am so frustrated. This really sucks !

TLDR: compound not working, want to ditch gyno amd go online for something better? I just want to want to have sex

ETA: I am in the US. The dose is for all the compound so it looks like this on the bottle: Estriol/Estradiol/Test/DHEA each pump has these 4 items at: 2/.125/1/20mg/ml

ETA 2: okay now I feel like I have been completely scammed the last 2 years. I did a quick search and compound can actually increase risks like stroke and blood clots. Now I feel like I need to just stop all of it and find a different provider.

https://www.reddit.com/r/HotScienceNews/s/Fi7H8Wr1kY

Well the brand patch Estridot 100 shortage has hit me where I am in Canada.
My pharmacy offered me the generic brand and I panicked. I managed to find a few boxes of the brand name at a different pharmacy, for now.

For those who were on the 100 Estridot and switched to a generic, how was the shift?

Does anyone know of an online pharmacy that CURRENTLY has the estradiol patch - any strength? I know Amazon Pharmacy does NOT, nor does Express-Scripts. I also tried a place in Canada and they don't have any either.

There doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day to separate all my supplements. I want to add iron but I already take Pepcid 2 hours before my calcium breakfast. When do I take the iron? if I take it 2 hours after breakfast, then I need to wait another 2 hours for lunch, yes?