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

Maybe it was the fluctuating hormones that caused your headaches.

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. 🙂

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.

@strico You can DEFINITELY get headaches (and worse) from the altitude here especially if you are living at sea level.

@babs10
I know, but I’ve been going to Colorado every July for 11 years now, and this is the first time I’ve had headaches that lasted the entire week of my visit. I’ve got an appointment in mid-August to consult with doc. Thanks.

@babs10 if you have a uterus you have to take progestrone.

@dvargo Such a good point!

I would suggest trying another patch. I did not do well on Climara Pro; I had headaches, felt thick headed/foggy, had cramping like menstrual cramps. bloating, and then bleeding that was intense like a heavy period. I stopped it and was convinced I couldn’t use a patch. Wasted time ( several months of bone loss) until I decided to see a gynecologist. She gave me a twice weekly patch and oral progesterone. I’ve never had a problem with it. Bonus that the patches are much better, smaller, they adhere much better than the huge ClimaraPro patches that often came off in the bath and left red irritated skin when removed. I don’t have this problem with my current patches (generic for Vivelle Dot). The progestin in ClimaraPro is different than the oral progesterone I’m taking now. Bonus that the oral progesterone dose can be adjusted. I started off at 100 mg. , but recently increased to 200 mg. while having difficulty sleeping. The progesterone helps with sleep. I’ve also read that there is more bleeding associated with Climara Pro than the twice weekly patch. Don’t give up. Ask for another patch.

@cliffdweller
Thanks very much for sharing this. I've had no bleeding, but I'm 69 (& just starting this estrogen journey). I've got osteopenia, and hope to avoid ever getting to osteoporosis by taking estrogen. I feel like I've done due diligence, and the benefits to me should outweigh the risks. Dr. Rachel Rubin, Dr. Peter Attia podcasts, Estrogen Matters (book), and more--all informed my decision.

I've talked to a PA friend who also suggested the generic for Vivelle. The advantage to separate estrogen & progesterone is that I can experiment to see how much estrogen is the 'just right' amount. I have an appointment in mid-August to see my PCP. In the meantime, she suggested that I continue using the Climera Pro patch since I already have them. It's been one week, and so far I've experienced no side effects. Which progesterone are you taking?

Generic progesterone. My pharmacy sometimes changes the manufacturer. The last time it was from Bionpharma. This is FDA approved progesterone, not progesterone from a compounding pharmacy, which is not FDA approved.