Estradiol / norethindrone and Cramps: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 19, 2022

CombiPatch (estradiol / norethindrone) for Postmenopausal Symptoms "I've been on this patch for a month now. Within 2 weeks, I started spotting. Within 3 weeks, full-on bleeding like I had as a 16-year-old. Constant cramping of my thighs and uterus every day, living on Advil. My body does not seem to like any type of progesterone. How do you determine biopsy negative? My doctor tells me to just keep wearing the patch, my body will adjust. Is this true? And if so, how long does this take? I can't take much more of this. I will say all the menopause symptoms are completely gone, but I'm bleeding, cramping, and have diarrhea every day, so where's the trade-off? Anybody help? Thank you."

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2021

CombiPatch (estradiol / norethindrone) for Postmenopausal Symptoms "I have been going through full-blown menopause for 8 years, plus I was in peri-menopause for 3 years prior to that. I have not taken hormone replacement therapy up to this point. However, after my skin, hair, and nails got even drier, no sex drive, and not being able to have intercourse with my husband for about 3 years because the pain was too unbearable, I decided to try HRT. My doctor put me on the CombiPatch. At first, I did not have any side effects, but I have had constant bleeding for the last 2 weeks with mild cramping and bloating. I found myself barely being able to hold my eyes open around 4 PM every day and was having to sleep. This was my first month being on it, and I have one patch left. At the end of the 7th patch, I took it off and did not put my last patch on. It has been 3 days now with no patch, and I am still bleeding, cramping, and bloating. This has been horrible. I will deal with the hot flashes. I have dealt with them for 11 years...better than HRT."

• Hap...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 5, 2019

CombiPatch (estradiol / norethindrone) for Postmenopausal Symptoms "I have been on and off CombiPatch (due to working out of the United States) for the past 10 years, and it wasn't available. I just resumed taking it and have been experiencing cramping and vaginal bleeding on and off for the past two months. My doctor and I are taking a conservative approach and are waiting a period of time for my body to adjust before we take any further action. I am comfortable with this for the time being. Next step if the bleeding doesn't stop would be to order an ultrasound of my uterus."

• yog...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 16, 2021

CombiPatch (estradiol / norethindrone) for Postmenopausal Symptoms "I am very disappointed with this product. After using 5 patches, I developed a cyst on my right ovary and had to spend out of pocket for the ultrasound and vaginal camera test, as my insurance would not pay. I started to hemorrhage very badly for about 4 hours and had severe cramping for weeks on end. I could not work in my office. Upon going to see an OBGYN, he said most likely this product caused this cyst, as I was not using any other product at the time. I would highly recommend you NOT use this product. I wrote them a letter and asked for my out of pocket expenses, including the repayment of the product, and I got NO RESPONSE. This is very unprofessional of them and just not ethically right. When this kind of negative side effect comes up, the pharmaceutical company needs to step up to the plate and be held responsible and do the right thing by responding to my request. DO NOT USE THIS PRODUCT AT ALL!!"

• AMT...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 2, 2023

"I am 43 years old. I started using the patches a week ago. I haven’t had a period in the past 6 months and have been feeling menopausal symptoms for over a year. My doctor and partner suggested that I try the treatment. They had concerns because of my age. I started bleeding less than 24 hours after my first patch, and my mood is very bad. I can’t hear any noise. I had terrible cramps and bloating. I have always suffered from cramping and heavy bleeding. I truly hope this is just passing bleeding and I won’t have to deal with it."

• Fem...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 1, 2020

Mimvey (estradiol / norethindrone) for Postmenopausal Symptoms "I keep going back to Mimvey because it doesn't give me a headache or tinnitus. No hot flashes and no cramping - it's a very good medication."

• Jon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 24, 2022

Activella (estradiol / norethindrone) for Postmenopausal Symptoms "Worked great for hot flushes for 3 weeks, but have started period pains and spot bleeding now, so will stop immediately. Not worth it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 27, 2015

For Postmenopausal Symptoms "Experienced mood swings, menstrual cycle of 6 days, bloating, sore breasts, backache, cramping, etc... felt horrible, tired, run down."