Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) advice?

Since having my ovaries removed, I’ve been on hormone replacement therapy using Femoston Conti tablets. Ever since I started them, my cholesterol and lipid levels have spiked. Professor Koršić at Mayo Clinic suggested switching things up because he’s convinced the Femoston Conti is the culprit. He thinks moving to hormone patches should get my numbers back to normal. Up until now, I’ve actually handled HRT incredibly well—no side effects, and I felt great, aside from some weight gain. Since I managed to lose 43 lbs through a gastric band and hit 64 kg, I am terrified of any more weight issues. Has anyone else made the switch to patches? I’d love to hear your experiences.

Lisa Thompson said:Since my oophorectomy, I’ve been on hormone replacement therapy using Femoston Conti tablets. My cholesterol and lipid levels have spiked because of them. Professor Koršić at Rebro suggested switching my prescription, suspecting the Femoston Conti is the culprit. He thinks switching to hormone patches should stabilize everything. Previously, I responded exceptionally well to HRT—no side effects, just felt great. The only downside was weight gain. Having lost 43 lbs via a gastric band to reach 140 lbs, I am terrified of gaining it back. Does anyone have experience with the patches?

I am in an artificial menopause myself. Following surgery for fibroids, they had to remove my uterus, ovaries, and part of my bowel.
Given my personal stance against the MLS, I haven't tried hormone patches, but I have used red clover phytoestrogens. I did my homework online first, then decided on the tablets.
I’ve been taking them for months and they help immensely. My libido is normal, I don't gain much weight (depending on my diet), and my fitness is excellent. Honestly, I feel and look better now than before the surgery. One might say I look ten years younger.
I deal with maybe one or two hot flashes around 8 PM, and that's it. Occasionally I feel a bit of discomfort, but a little chamomile tea fixes it. If necessary, I just use chamomile-infused liners at work and change them frequently.
I hope this helps you decide.

Lisa Thompson said:After my ovaries were removed, I started hormone replacement therapy using Femoston Conti tablets, but they ended up spiking my cholesterol and blood lipid levels. Professor Koršić over at Rebro suggested switching things up because he’s pretty sure the Femoston is the culprit. He thinks switching to hormone patches should help normalize everything. Up until now, I’ve actually responded incredibly well to HRT—no side effects, and honestly, I felt great. The only real issue was some weight gain. Since I managed to drop 43 kg using a gastric band and hit 64 kg, I am absolutely terrified of gaining the weight back. Has anyone here used the patches? I'd love to hear your experiences.

So, I used Estraderm TTS 50 patches for about three years... and during those three years, I went from 70 kg to 90 kg... then this year, they stopped making the 50 mg ones, so on my doctor's advice, I switched to Estrafem tablets... and honestly, I feel much better. I haven't had a single hot flash in the four months since I started them, plus they are just way more convenient. I even lost 6 kg. Okay, truth be told, I did tighten up my diet a little bit, but when I was on the patches, I couldn't lose more than 2-3 kg no matter what kind of diet I tried... also, let me tell you, patches are a nightmare in the summer... you stick one on, and within an hour or two, it starts peeling off the second you sweat even a tiny bit. Then you have to peel it off and put a new one on, and it becomes this constant cycle... and if that happens, you aren't even getting the full dose of hormones intended for your body. So, for me, the pills just seem more practical. I forgot to mention, I had a hysterectomy and my ovaries removed when I was 21, which is why I have to stay on this therapy... hope this helps someone out... cheers!

Thanks so much for sharing your experiences, everyone. I’m honestly relieved someone actually spoke up; I was starting to think this thread was a ghost town, even though it’s clearly been getting some views. Thanks again! I’m going to do some digging into red clover phytohormones—that sounds pretty fascinating. To be honest, I was worried about the heat making me lose the patch, but we'll see how things go once summer really hits. In the meantime, I’ve started using the Estraderm TTS 25 patches since apparently the 50mg version is being phased out, along with the 25mg ones too. And, surprisingly enough, I’ve already dropped 4 pounds without cutting back on food—not that I could, since I’m already eating as little as possible. Professor Koršić mentioned that if you lose even a single pound, it means we’ve hit the right therapy.

If you get a chance, please drop by and comment again. It would mean a lot! Cheers.

I’ve been looking for these threads again. When a topic is fresh, there's a slim chance someone might actually see it and respond.
On other forums, people discuss these things more often, and women find strength in one another. I never dreamed I would end up needing this surgery. My gynecologist in Miami missed a 20x20x18 fibroid, and suddenly, overnight, I lost my ovaries, uterus, part of my bowel, and survived a massive operation.
Setting all that aside, nobody warned me about the hormonal fallout. Honestly, I was too foolish to even consider it. Now, nothing feels right—except for sex. People tell me how "great" it is that my drive is still there, but that isn't the point. What bothers me is that my husband, our home, the pets, the garden, nature... none of it attracts me anymore. Sex has become a chore I perform just because my husband has become a mere instrument, devoid of any personality or connection. It’s as if I’ve become a man.
The only change is that I buy higher-end creams. I feel a need to groom myself more, to look polished, to buy better clothes. Suddenly, I want expensive perfumes; my old favorites no longer suffice. I am different now. Dissatisfied. Trapped in this situation. I wonder, how did I manage in my marriage? It’s likely psychological. I try to find something that truly interests me, but circumstances force you into a monotonous existence.

Please, reach out and tell me how you are coping. Surely I’m not the only one on this forum facing this. As for the rage I feel toward the doctor who failed me, I won't go there now. I fear losing control, so I avoid that clinic entirely out of dread that I might... I suspect I am not alone in that fear either.

I can honestly say I’m loving life right now. I don't spend any time dwelling on the fallout from my oophorectomy. My drive is exactly the same—I’m still out in the garden, working around the house, and walking just as much as I did 14 months ago, before the surgery. Sure, I’m a bit more mindful of certain things, but that just means I focus more on eating healthy and staying active through physical work and long walks. The only crazy thing I’m considering is getting back on rollerblades, mostly just to test my willpower. The problem is, I got a size 38 from them when I actually need a 41. So yeah, I’m terrified of breaking a leg or an arm—seriously, I am! But I haven't lost my spirit. As for sex, it’s better than ever. My husband even worries about me "seeking satisfaction" elsewhere if I don't get enough, which frankly hasn't even crossed my mind, but hey, I love enjoying life to the fullest! And you, ruggedscout91, just enjoy whatever it is you enjoy. That’s what desires are for—to satisfy them and live. Good luck, and just enjoy it; these are all just small things in the grand scheme of things.

I’ve been using the Estraderm TTS 25 patches, though I actually end up applying two at once since they stopped making the 50 mg version. There was this one stretch when they were out of stock and I had to switch over to taking 1 mg Estraf tablets instead, but honestly, it just didn't work for me. It felt like the dose was far too weak; I was still dealing with those hot flashes and heavy sweating, especially during the night.
I’ve grown quite accustomed to the patches myself—I've been using them for nearly two years now.
The main issue is during the summer, given how much I sweat, and particularly when I’m swimming in the ocean. I usually just cover them up
with a waterproof bandage so they don't peel off.
Actually, my biggest headache used to be that constant daily anxiety, wondering if I had remembered to take my pill or not.🙄
I’m thinking about sticking with them for another year, hoping maybe I can gradually adjust and eventually move away from them altogether.
I have put on about 11 pounds since I started using them, but then again, who knows how much weight I would have gained if I hadn't?
The only side effects I really notice are some uncomfortable tightness in the veins in my legs and some breast tenderness.
I’m not exactly a huge fan of the MLS, but for the time being, I don't see any other way.
best regards

Has anyone here used Gynodian depot ampules? I was wondering if you could share what kind of side effects you experienced.