Consultations can be done in person, by phone, or by video. This is one of the most frequently asked questions we hear, and often the answer is yes. You may need a higher dose if your original symptoms haven't improved after a few months or if they are starting to come back. In these situations, it is vital to check the application technique. For example, with Oestrogel, each ointment should be applied to a different limb (e.g., the upper outer part of the arm or the inner thigh) over an area the size of a handprint and allowed to dry, not rubbed as if it were a moisturizer.
Based on our experience as menopausal specialists, when women feel that their hormone therapy isn't working for them, it's usually due to one of these four reasons. As mentioned earlier, this is the main culprit. If blood tests confirm that your estradiol levels are below the optimal range despite using a high dose, we will consider trying a different route of administration, for example, switching from a gel to a patch. In addition to progestin problems, other side effects of hormonal hormone therapy may include nausea, headaches, breast tenderness, and leg cramps.
In these cases, it's important to work with your doctor to balance the benefits with the effects secondary. Sometimes a simple change, such as changing the brand of estrogen or the type of progestin, can make a difference. Unfortunately, for a small number of women, HRT doesn't resolve their symptoms, even when blood tests show optimal estrogen levels. If a symptom persists despite HRT optimization, it may not be due to menopause after all, or it may simply not be a symptom that responds to HRT.
That's why it's so important to do a thorough consultation to rule out other causes. While HRT is a very effective treatment for many, it doesn't work for everyone and it's not a one-size-fits-all solution. Most of the time, when women feel that their hormone therapy is failing, it's because they haven't been prescribed the right type, dosage, or formulation for their specific biological needs. When HRT is tailored to each person, success rates are very high.
However, hormone replacement therapy isn't right for everyone, including those with a certain medical history. In some rare cases, it can trigger other conditions. Before starting any treatment, you should discuss your health thoroughly with a doctor who is trained to make an informed decision. At Summerhill Health, our private menopause clinic specializes in creating personalized HRT plans.
We can help you research your dosage, discuss different types of hormone therapy, and organize the necessary private blood tests to ensure that your treatment is optimized for you. Founder and member of the Royal College of General Practitioners, a member of the British Menopause Society (BMS). With experience in women's health, including menopausal care, she holds specialist degrees from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the British Menopause Society. Summerhill is also dedicated to educating employers, employees and healthcare professionals, collaborating to ensure clinical excellence and optimal patient care.
It's easy to get into bad habits when taking any regular medication; forgetting to take HRT tablets can cause generalized symptoms. A poor technique when applying gels can prevent their good absorption. Remember to apply them to the skin at normal temperature and let them dry well in the air before getting dressed. False tans and body lotions can affect absorption in some women.
The patches should stick well, not irritate and be changed on the right days. When you first start hormone replacement therapy, there may be a noticeable improvement at first, but then not as much as you expected, or some symptoms may come back. This may be because your own hormone levels are decreasing over time, so you may need more to replace the amount of hormones that are missing in your body. Estrogen patches are a transdermal way of delivering 17-beta estradiol, meaning that the drug is absorbed and delivered through the skin membrane.
This doesn't mean you won't absorb it well using a different method of administration, it just means that estrogen patches aren't the best option for your hormone replacement therapy. The main concern of exposure to water soon after applying the HRT gel is the risk of removing the medication before it has been fully absorbed into the skin.
