I switched from taking .5mg of Estrace daily  to the Vivelle .05mg patch changed twice weekly.  I'm very confused as to how the amount I'm taking now compares to the Estrace.  I was told the patch is giving me slightly more each day than the pill did, but since .5 is bigger than .05, how can this be?  I hope I don't sound too stupid.  Also, I'm having much more breast tenderness from the patch--is this something to worry about in regards to cancer?  I also take Prometrium 100 daily.  Are both the Vivelle and the Prometrium considered "natural" vs. synthetic?

dls,

I suspect it (is stronger) is because the patch doesn't go through the liver first and you have more "first pass" effect from the estrogen in it.  It could be the cause of the breast tenderness--discuss that with your doctor.  I've about given up on what causes cancer--3 studies will say it does and 3 will say it doesn't!  Plus they always use Premarin in the studies (and often Provera) not the more natural stuff we are using--so who knows at this point?

Zelma