How do I get off of estrogen patch??? Help!

I've been on Vivelle Dot ever since my last ovary was removed. I'm now going on 52 and I'm beginning to think the risks of HRT are soon going to outweigh the benefits. I don't want to risk blood clots, stroke, etc... Besides, if I hadn't had my hysterectomy and subsequent oophorectomies, I would probably be post menopausal naturally by now anyhow. So I would like to get myself off of the patch, but I'm not sure how.

I've been reading and in most posts I've found on the net women said they weaned themselves off slowly, which is great if you are taking pills, but I'm not sure how I'm going to do that with a patch. I can cut it in half, but each time I change it I will get that initial higher dose again... won't I? And after a while there's only so little you can make a patch!

I'm starting taking soy protein and flax seed oil, which I'm going to ramp up slowly so I don't suffer any intestinal distress, and my plan was to ramp down the estrogen slowly at the same time. I also bought some gel from Shaklee that contains black cohosh just in case I start getting hot flashes, that I can rub on my skin.

Anyone tried weaning themselves off of estrogen patches and if so, how did you do it? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Hi tsmedley....I've never weaned myself off of estrogen but I have successfully discontined several anti-depressants....just do a search on the particular product you are using... you need to find out what the "half-life" is or how long it takes for it to leave your system....if you are on a very low dose it won't take long to clear... It may be as simple for you as skipping a dose and making the time in between patches longer or just stopping all together becuz you are already supplementing with soy. Just becuz the manufacturer does not tell you how to quit does not mean that you can't! Grace

You might try asking your doctor for the next lower dose, use that till you have no symptoms, and then continue down till you are off.

I started with .075 patch and now am on .025 patch, the lowest. I have some warm spells on it still. I have been on this dose for a year. I guess it took me 5 years to get to this point without much symptoms and I had the hot flashes severe after my hyst for a couple of years.

I am not sure how long i will be on the .025, it is so low that I probably could get off without much trouble. I am late 50's, had my hyst '03.

I think going very slowly just like if you would be in natural menopause might help.

Actually my doctor just made me quit cold turkey. Was that bad? I felt cruddy but thought it was just me