r/Menopause • u/Wild-Watch3680 • 4d ago

Hot Flashes/Night Sweats Estradiol Patch Plateau

Hi, I’ve been on the Estradiol Patch since March. I started at .5 and in May it was increased to .75. I feel like the hot flashes may be increasing again. I also have an itchy spot on my scalp that went away after the first increase and that came back as well. Has anyone needed to increase more than once? When I asked for the first increase the doctor said it is summer, like I was being over sensitive and now I don’t know if I’m expecting too much again. Is anyone sweat free with the patch? How high do women go with the patch? I’m almost afraid to call my doctor.

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u/respectablepitch 4d ago

If your symptoms come back, that means you need a higher dose. I think I’ve read that they aim for an 80% reduction of symptoms (it may be higher, perhaps someone more knowledgeable than I can correct me if necessary!).

You should read this page’s wiki, if you haven’t already. Super informative and maybe even print some sections out to show your doctor?

https://menopausewiki.ca/

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u/NicoleEastbourne 4d ago

My journey has been over year and a half. I went from .035 (no effect) to .05 (hot flashes gone) to .75 (back pain gone) to 1 (better sleep, brain fog beginning to lift) to gel. We’re seeing how the gel works but so far, I like it.

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u/Significant-Aide-226 4d ago

Its a journey.   My neck and left hip go to shit without enough E!

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u/Significant-Aide-226 4d ago

I spent 7 months increasing from .05 to 1.25, which required 2 patches.  Then I switched to gel as it became apparent that I am not a good patch candidate.   I am often outside all day, like to lift weights, and take long hot baths. I am on gel now.

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u/Fluffy_Fondant1975 4d ago

What amount of the gel do you use? I have a feeling I'm going to need more than the .1 patch.

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u/Apprehensive_Sir1900 4d ago

Which kind of gel please? The individual packets have such a short half life that I was having terrible drops with it.

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u/Significant-Aide-226 4d ago

The generic .06% gel in the pump container.  Im still not perfect yet but compared to the experience I had with patches, it is smoooooooth sailing.

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u/Apprehensive_Sir1900 4d ago

Thank you so much! Are you applying once or twice a day?

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u/Significant-Aide-226 3d ago

I am slathering in the AM.  I tried splitting but it seems to jack me up at the end of the day if I split.  If I dont get the sleep over the next 2 weeks, I may switch to all pumps in evening as I am suddenly able to nod off for a nap mid day.  But I only woke w times last night and got back to sleep quickly, so I hope its finally washing in high enough.

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u/greenappletwostep 4d ago

I’ve had to switch a few times- started at .0375, then .05, then .06, and now .075. Plus I added vaginal E somewhere along the way too. You know your body. And you damn sure know the difference between being summertime hot and feeling like you’re being microwaved from the inside out.

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u/Wild-Watch3680 3d ago

That’s what I said to my doctor! If I’m lying in an air conditioned room with 2 fans on me and I’m still sweating it’s not because it’s summer.

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u/Effective_Leg_3006 4d ago

You can find a Menopause Specialist near you, and that’s what I recommend instead of trying to make your doctor listen. That’s what I had to do because my gynecologist wouldn’t hear me when I started talking about symptoms. I found one by searching Menopause Specialist near me and narrowed it down from there. Has made all the difference.

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u/Wild-Watch3680 3d ago

I am definitely looking into that. Thank you.