Climera Pro for 9 days, then daily headaches. Removed patch. Now what?

Posted by strico @strico, 2 days ago

Just starting HRT at 69 years old. Read "Estrogen Matters," listened to several Peter Attia podcasts with Dr. Rachel Rubin & others. Dr. Doug Lucas online. My PCP is supportive, and we're working our way to the next possibility.

My thought is that because Climera Pro contains both estrogen & progesterone, there's no way to know which was responsible for the issue. So I'm thinking--maybe try an estrogen-only patch for a couple of weeks. If no side effects, add a micronized progesterone pill.

Open to suggestions & learning from others' experiences. I understand that it may take time to get the puzzle pieces right, but for me, the rewards outnumber the risks. Bone health, sexual health.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

bswpb | @bswpb | 2 days ago

Maybe it was the fluctuating hormones that caused your headaches.

babs10 | @babs10 | 2 days ago

I'm not a doctor and I'm learning like everyone else here - that said, it makes sense to me that separating the estrogen from the progesterone is a good idea to determine which, if either, is causing headaches. It's like a hormonal elimination diet. 🙂

strico | @strico | 21 hours ago

Posted about this on MyChart & my PCP got back to me the next day. Her suggestion is to put a new patch on and see what happens the next couple of weeks. The altitude and heat may have contributed in her opinion (+ dinner wine, which I don’t always drink but did in CO). She offered me an earlier appointment than the 8/13 one I already have. I’m going to try her suggestion. . . . part of this is about being grateful that she’s on my team. I ask; she listens & offers her guidance, always making clear that the final decision is up to me. I trust her judgment, and greatly appreciate that she listens well. If headaches return, I’ll go back to the estrogen/progesterone idea. If not, interesting, and good.