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Replies to "@tillymack, yes, I'm applying the estradiol patch once a week, continuously. I've done that consistently since..."
Osteoporosis & Bone Health | Last Active: Feb 18 7:13pm | Replies (298)
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@tillymack, yes, I'm applying the estradiol patch once a week, continuously. I've done that consistently since I started HRT a year and a half ago.
Until about 6 weeks ago, I'd done progesterone continuously, too. But my progesterone levels have been pretty high (which gives me breast tenderness). 6weeks ago, my provider suggested I try cyclical instead. I tried one cycle of 14 days off and 14 days on. Didn't like it! Started spotting and didn't sleep as well, so I've switched back to continuous for progesterone... 100 mg every 3rd night.
Good luck as you work your way through this. Lots of tweaking to get it right (if your provider tests levels...) Overall, I am really pleased with HRT and glad I'm on it.
Replies to "@tillymack, yes, I'm applying the estradiol patch once a week, continuously. I've done that consistently since..."
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@wondering1
In some cases of extremely high progesterone may cause breast tenderness due to fluid retention, but usually this is a side effect of estradiol which produces a sharper tenderness contrasting with the heavy swollen feeling of progesterone overstimulaton.
But....
Since you began to bleed after you changed your progesterone to a cyclical schedule that leans towards the idea that your estradiol is too high or you are sensitive to estradiol.
Estriol might be a better match for you with the progesterone reinstated at a lower level if the hormone tests indicate a need to actually lower progesterone.
How is your doctor checking your hormone levels? I ask because topical hormones will not show in serum testing accurately. For topical hormones you will need a saliva test.
AI Overview, based on the current practices and research which it analyzed:
Saliva testing is considered superior to serum (blood) testing for monitoring topically applied (transdermal) bioidentical hormones because it measures the bioavailable, free hormones that have entered tissues, whereas topical hormones often do not show up accurately in blood serum. Topical hormones, particularly progesterone, tend to accumulate in subcutaneous fat, making saliva a more direct reflection of tissue absorption and reducing the risk of over-dosing.
\https://coyleinstitute.com/saliva-testing-vs-blood-testing-for-hormone-levels/#:~:text=In%20the%20body%2C%20almost%20all,use%20by%20tissues%20and%20organs.