Hello Ladies,

I just recently switched from Premarin oral estrogen to the Vivelle Dot transdermal patch, and I am a new woman!!! I am not sure if it is coincidence, or if the actual switch in estrogen type has caused it. Can someone enlighten me on the differences in the effects from the Premarin and the Vivelle Dot patch? I know Premarin is conjugated estrogen and VD is estradiol, but am not clear on the different effects are caused from these two formulations and what different effects they have on the body. I am mostly just curious-- all I care is that I am feeling one hundred percent better than this time last week!!! I also switched from Xanax to Ativan, but don't think that would have played a part, but who knows?!?

Thanks and hugs!

First, understand the difference in oestradiol between bios and non bios

bio-identicals are plant based, although there's no reason I can think of that they couldn't be produced from animals... They are exactly identical to the oestrodiol produced by your body.

non-bios are sometimes animal based, and sometimes plant based. They are similar enough in their chemical structure that they will work in an oestrogen receptor site, but they are not quite dead copies. The conjugated forms have a bit of 17 different types of oestragen. You'd have to know the distribution of each relative to your need of each to understand how effective it is.

If the non-bios have an extra atom of this or that, it may not suit you as well as bios. Most people tolerate penicillin, a few don't

Second, understand the strength. Vivelle/estradot patches aren't v strong; tablets are usually stronger. It may have been overkill for your body.

Third, placebo effect: You may just like the notion of bios so much that can influence your perception of the effects

Fourth, the benzodiazepines: That is a v likely source of a change in perceived wellness. I'm not saying it is the cause, but I wouldn't be in a rush to dismiss it. These drugs, antidepressants, antianxiety tranqus, etc play on the same neural pathways as oestragens, effecting seretonin and dopamine and norepinephrine. They, all by themselves, can reduce meno symptoms (effexor is sold on this purposely). In addition, ADs etc can help you sleep. And like different forms of Oestrogens, ADs are a hit and miss thing. Some are highly effective for an individual whilst others have no effect and still others can be hell.

Fifth, both ADs and Oestrogens can take a good while to build up in the system. Some people get reasonably immediate improvement while others take up to three months.

For me, I'm long past caring how what or why something works... I'm just grateful for the relief. Hope that helps a little. May I suggest you simply celebrate your new-found sense of wellness! Enjoy the day!

***Long story short--what your body needs the most of during menopause is estridiol. Premarin contains very little of this form of estrogen. It has alot of estrone in it and many other types of estrogen. The patch you are using is pure estridiol--it is bringing your serum levels of this estrogen up to the point you need to feel better--usually 100 pg/ml. Premarin just doesn't raise it up enough. Glad you feel better!
Hugs-Debe2

Hello blue
I have been on the vivelle dot patch since 4/18/07. I have saw some difference. I am at least having a few fairly good days a week. I had a hyst in 03 & woke up with the climara patch on. Well stupid of me that I didn't stay on it. (it kept falling off). well about 9 months later I started with panic attacks & all that crap. Have had a AWFUL 3 years!!! Went to phy & was put on all different meds, none seemed to work except klonopin. OB says its lack of estrogen, so the patch they chose was vivelle dot. I hear alot of good things about it. I am on 0.1 mg the highest it goes. Ob says maybe he can reduce it once my levels get up there a bit. I hope you continue to feel better!
Pooh

Vivelle varies in strength from 0.025 (although I understand there is a half-dose of that on the market or on its way to market) to 0.1
Premarin starts at 0.3 and at the high end is 2.5. You would have to know what dose Blue is on before you say the patch is stronger, because dispite the fact premarin is a compound of estrogens, if its .625, its definately stronger.

I wasn't meaning it was stronger, I was just saying that the Dr told me that 0.1 was the strongest that vivelle dot come in. Sorry if I made it sound different. I was put on the highest dose due to 0 estrogen in my body, thats what I was meaning. Sorry if I was misleading.

Pooh - I owe you an apology for being misleading. I was responding to Debe post.

Hi again,

As for the Premarin I was on .625 starting out, then later .9. The Vivelle Dot patch I am on is .1 and I think that is pretty strong for the patch. I think it was overkill indeed and my body is responding so much better to the estradiol than the Premarin. I just hope it continues to work!!!