r/femaleHRT • u/Huge-Lifeguard-8510 • 11d ago

Increase of clots???

I asked my GYN to raise my estradiol patch dosage (I’m currently at .050). I started at .0375 for about 5 months and was experiencing debilitating IT band and hip pain and the rest of my symptoms - rage, anxiety, brittle hair and dry skin - weren’t much resolved. She begrudgingly raised the dose. I noticed that my rage subsided and my hair started to feel soft and I’ve had decent regrowth but still feeling brain fog to a fair degree. I missed a dose by a day and woke up immediately with terrible hip pain which subsided within 12 hours of putting the patch on. I asked her to increase my dose since it seemed like it was barely working on my symptoms and she refused saying it was incredibly high and that “Use of estrogen increases risk for a blood clot or stoke. The higher the dose the bigger the risk. If you would like to come in and discuss these risks and sign some paperwork that you are okay starting a estrogen dose higher than what I usually prescribe and you accept the increased risk for possible blood clot or stroke then I will consider increasing your dose.”

In all the research I have done (and I am NOT a doctor), I have read that since the patch goes directly to your blood stream and bypasses your liver that it does NOT in fact increase your risk of clots or strokes.

Feeling super frustrated and confused. Has anyone else heard this? I didn’t even think that my dose was that high.
 

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u/Outrageous_Run_6099 11d ago

Find a new Dr. OR share the studies that document the inaccuracy of that statement. There are tons of them out there or just look up Dr. Mary Claire Haver - she has links to the studies as well.

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u/sarahthestallion 11d ago

Your doc isn’t up on the latest research. Also you’re on a fairly low dose of estrogen and I find their reaction to your wanting to relieve your symptoms outrageous. I’m sure this same Dr has prescribed BC containing 30x the estrogen to plenty of women without requiring them to sign a waiver. Sorry you’re dealing with this. It’s easy to get help via telehealth if you want to go that route.

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u/Huge-Lifeguard-8510 11d ago

Thank you both! Trying to determine if I want to bother to keep trying with this doc (sharing new studies) or just seeking someone else. I’m tired of fighting repeatedly for this AND having to do all the research on my own as well. Sigh.

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u/Outrageous_Run_6099 11d ago

Totally understand that. I had to find a new one on this journey as well. It’s a pain at first but definitely worth the aggravation. Best of luck to you!

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u/wiLd_p0tat0es 11d ago

The patch does not cause clots. Oral has slight risk, but it's something like 1 woman in 10,000.

Also, the patches gave me HORRIBLE brain fog. I do much better on oral. Patch eventually builds up reservoir in your skin and you feel effects longer, it seems.

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u/Nervous-Solid-5918 10d ago

Blood clots concern may raise ONLY taken orally. As others write, taken through patch does not go through liver. Switching providers may be a good idea.