I used the combipatch for over a year in 1999, and got elevated blood pressure and anxiety with it. I got off it, although it did help my hot flashes and nite sweats.

Hi Potato......did you try any other brands of HRT?

I've been on this patch for almost a year now... I do have a raised area when I remove the patch but it is gone by the next day, it does itch some, but nothing terrible. in my case, the benefits far outweigh the spot and minor itching. I will say my blood pressure is elevated from what it was prior to the patch,but that is not necessarily bad, as it has historically been low.

Hi Carla and plumbly,
LOL carla........you didn't notice that my post was from 6 years ago!
I would itch sooooo bad from those patches....but put up with it. I was afraid I'd be in an accident, and they'd take me to the hospital and find all those round red spots on my abdomen and think I'd been taken by aliens! haha
I had soooooo many symptoms when I was going through perimenopause. I just never knew if the HRT was making things worse, or it was just the perimenopause. When I finally came off HRT, my hypoglycemic episodes went away, my GERD went away, and my headaches went away. But I think the headaches were caused by the GERD med I was taking. I was so glad to finally get off of it all. Life definitely gets a little more stable when our hormones finally settle down! (But then our mind goes). ;)
Perimenopause is such a difficult time. You just have to try to sort through it all, and figure out what works best for you. You all have my sympathy and empathy! Hang in there and look forward to better days!

All I can say is I love the Combipatch...best thing I ever did...was on it for a year and it completely took away my hot flashes...never had a problem with the patch, no side effects...then I decided to take a break from it just because I didn't want to have to rely on HRT but after about a month my hot flashes were so severe I couldn't handle it anymore..I am now back on the patch...no regrets...

Greetings Ladies! Thanks for your posts and insight. Only those experiencing this can truly understand. I am 50 years old. I started the Combipatch in August 2009, it's March 2011, been wondering when to stop using it. Not sure what to base it on, I do not want to be on it too long because I am concerned of the risks, so I get regular medical checkups, follow guidelines as to the following screenings, i.e., pap smear, mammogram, pelvic ultrasound, stress test, etc. Been eating right and exercising regularly, lost 60 pounds over the last two years, want to lose 30 more. I experience skin reactions such as those mentioned by some on my abdomen, my Gyne prescribed an ointment and suggested Loratadine (Claritin), both help but my belly still has marks. My perimenopause symptoms have definitely improved but I struggle with breast tenderness, swelling and sometimes chest pain (stress test came out normal). So, any suggestions from any of you wise women would be much appreciated and it is good to hear that things do get better, thanks Catherine T.

My Dr put me on combipatch last month.It's working very well for me ,but i read that I shouldnt take because I've had a total hysterectomy, what is the reason for not taking them?

Well, I was given the combi patch today as a trial by my doctor im 46 and beagan early in all of this my mother began menapauce at 39. Anyway I never imagined what was instore for me... and the scary feeling is its just the beganing so for about a year now I have been having night sweats feels like a fire going right through the center of your body wow,,and I have fibroids in my uterus so my periods are very painful and anemic from the heavy flows...so three years ago I had the IUD put in to help relieve some of the pain and for about 2years I think it did some but a year ago i began having really bad lower ab pain and but just created it to my problem.. untill now cant stand the pain.. went for check up and my IUD was first thought to got lost inside me but ultra sound proved it to be just gone,, well im having such terrible mood swings that I can hardley stand it.. so to in hopes to help with all of it im starting the patchtoday.. about 20 mis ago i put it on and now lil beads of sweat are poutingfrom my face and I feel sick to my stamache matter of fact I need to lay down,,,,now

I started using the combipatch about a month ago. I found it very hard to keep it on since I exercise daily so I tried different types of medical tape. Still had problems. I finally saw my brother who's a retired pharmacist and he said to use duct tape. He always told people that had to use those glycerin patches and that worked outdoors sweating alot to use it, too. It works great. Not any worse on my skin than some of the medical tapes were and I notice less of that black sticky stuff arround the edges when I change a patch. Not the only reason I am writing though. The patch has been wonderful when it comes to hot flashes and night sweats. I hope it will also help with some of the weight gain from going through menopause. My main question is has any one else experienced terrible weepy mood swings. I mean I sometimes get into arguments and am shocked that I even said some of the things that come out of my mouth. Not sure I will be able to stay on the patch because I might end up divorced, unemployed, and friendless because of my disposition. Help!

How do you post in this thing?

I have been using combipatch for 4 months and love how it has eased my symptoms of flashing, sweats and anxiety, general mood instability. However recently I have had bad itching where the patch is and i end up taking it off to notice a raised red circle on my abdomen. Does anyone have advise about a skin prep or a treatment for the rash? I do love how the patch has helped my symptoms enormously and almost immediately. I NEEED THOSE HORMONES!!!!! But the rash is troublesome. Please respond with any good ideas.

I have been using it for about 3 months now...switched from orals to Combi cause I wanted to detox my liver. As far as the itching goes, remove the adhesive with an alcohol swab it will go away. Maybe apply a bit of cortisone cream if necessary. The thing I have noticed about my body is I have cellulite on my legs that I never had before so that sucks! Really sucks! So I have contemplated going off to see what happens. I really don't have menopausal symptoms so what the hey. I am going to do an experiment so I will get back to y'all. Also my hair is kind of falling out. Hmmmmmmmm......check back later.

I have been on the combipatch for 11 years. I am 62 now. Before starting the patch I tried over the counter herbal supplements for a couple of months and nothing was improving my hot flashes that came with anxiety. I was on the highest dose 50/250. I have never taken any prescription medicines my whole life except this Combipatch. I exercise a lot going to the gym 3 times a week and walk my dog 4 miles a day. I use to go to a workout trainer who had me in my best shape ever 2 years ago to compete with college kids in a boot camp for an hour up and down a hill. They all thought I was Supermom. My normal resting heart beat is 50 bpm. I have had blood work done..the last one was this past February (2018) and the results were excellent for someone my age. About 3 months ago I decided to get off the patch to see if I still get the flashes with anxiety and because I was getting some heart palpitations (going up the stairs, washing my hair in the shower, just getting out of bed in the morning) my heart would go from 50 bpm to 100 bpm and last for about 3 minutes before dropping. In 5 days the hot flashes came back slowly and after 2 weeks the flashes and anxiety were the same as when I was 51. Two months later of hot flashes, anxiety and palpitations, I contacted my OBGYN to see what he would say and he suggested I go on Lexapro (Escitalopram) for the flashes and I was confused becuase this prescription medicine is for depression and anxiety, but after doing more research it is also used for hot flashes. I was not depressed but hot flashes brought on the anxiety and yes, made me feel depressed that I had to deal with this again! I do NOT sweat, just fell the aeora of my body on fire. This is what my OBGYN commented in our online discussion: “Hot flashes and night sweats are called in the medical literature vasomotor symptoms. I have taken liberty of comp being information from Escitalopram which I have inserted below.
Vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause (off-label use): Oral: Initial: 10 mg once daily, increase to 20 mg once daily after 4 weeks if symptoms not adequately controlled (Carpenter 2012; Freeman 2011; NAMS 2015).
This could certainly be utilized and also tends to be taken at night for the greatest effect on the night sweats. Yes it is also use for depression but vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats) are caused by brain neurotransmitters being an abnormal levels which is also 1 of the problems with depression. So the medication can treat both situations but in your situation we would be primarily using it for vasomotor symptoms.”

So, after doing some more reading up on Lexapro I decided to NOT take this because of what was said about the side effects. These medicines just scare me. I am now BACK ON THE COMBIPATCH (2 Patches taken so far). I expect it to kick in very soon here because when I started the patch at 51 within the 3rd patch I was pretty much clear of hot flashes/anxiety. It worked very well and very fast with me with no bleeding, no patch residue of itching, nothing. My mom still gets hot flashes at 86 (told my husband to kill me in my sleep when she told me this). I have realized that I might be on this patch until the day I die.

I did mention to my doctor about using only half the patch and he said, “The patch should not be cut in half because that interferes with adhesiveness and absorption of the med. It is a low dose of estrogen and I think you should do fine with the full dose.”

I have already seen a Cardiologist about my palpitations and she had me on a heart monitor for 2 weeks. Next step is an Echocardiogram on July 11th and then I should have some answers. I believe it to be nothing but stress related but I am not the doctor. I had not exercised at the gym for these past 3 months (stopped because of burn out and to take a break) only walking my dog. Last Friday (6/29/18) for the first time, I went to the gym for an hour which I do this boot camp myself and then again yesterday. Strangely, my palpitations are gone and I realized the palpitations started after I stopped exercising. What the heck!

So here I am back on the combipatch and I once again I know I will have my life back with a good nights sleep. I will take my chances with developing any of the bad stuff I read about taking this patch because I can NOT live with no sleep (hot flashes 5 times a night) day flashes (8 a day) and the anxiety that comes with them....no life at all..just miserable. It messes up our minds!

My best to all who have to deal with these female problems. My next life I hope to come back as a dog to an amazing person who takes me everywhere, feeds me the best nutritional food, trains me to be the smartest and gives me the unconditional love that I give them 24/7.