Experiencing Nausea in My First Week of Using an Estradiol Patch
* Age: 29 * Gender: Female * Height: 5'11" * Weight: 210 pounds * Current Medications: Spironolactone 100mg daily for acne, Mirena IUD, and 0.1mg Estradiol patches applied weekly * Non-smoker After recently being prescribed a 0.1mg weekly Estradiol patch by my gynecologist, I’m feeling extremely nauseated. This discomfort is significant enough that it disrupts my sleep at night and often wakes me in the morning. Is this nausea a typical side effect that will hopefully resolve soon? Do you have any suggestions for alleviating these feelings?
Answers (1)
8/3/2025, 12:31:05 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel concerned about nausea after starting a new medication like the estradiol patch. Some nausea can occur when beginning hormone therapy, but significant discomfort lasting several days is worth addressing. Let's break this down.
Main Points:
- Nausea can be a common side effect of starting estradiol but should not be severe.
- It's important to monitor your symptoms and find ways to alleviate the nausea.
Explanation:
Estradiol patches work by delivering hormones into your bloodstream, which can lead to various side effects as your body adjusts. Nausea is among the possible side effects, especially in the initial weeks of treatment. However, if it's significantly disruptive to your daily life and sleep, it's important to take steps to manage it.
Next Steps:
-
Hydrate & Eat Lightly: Stay hydrated and try to eat smaller, lighter meals that are easy on the stomach (like crackers, toast, or bananas). Avoid heavy, greasy, or spicy foods that may worsen nausea.
-
Timing of Application: If not already done, consider applying your patch at a time of day when you can better manage potential nausea (e.g., later in the evening when you can rest).
-
Ginger or Peppermint: Try ginger tea or peppermint, both of which can help soothe nausea. Ginger candy or ginger ale (with real ginger) might also provide relief.
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of your nausea—how long it lasts, when it occurs, and any associated symptoms. This information is valuable if you need to discuss it further with a healthcare provider.
-
Consider Alternatives: If nausea persists beyond the first few weeks or worsens, look into communicating with your healthcare provider about potential adjustments or alternative therapies.
Remember, it’s important to be patient as your body adjusts to the new hormone levels. If the nausea continues to be unbearable, or if you experience other concerning symptoms (like severe headaches, mood changes, or any signs of serious side effects), seeking specialized advice would be necessary. Your comfort and health are the priority as you navigate this medication.
Related Questions
Should I Be Worried About These Symptoms?
I frequently use Q-tips to clean my nostrils due to my septum piercing, and I’ve noticed a brownish-black substance in my left nostril, while my right nostril produces thick, clear mucus. It’s a bit embarrassing, but I suffer from chronic mucus, which has darkened over time, along with post-nasal drip that’s led to persistent bad breath. Additionally, I deal with a dry mouth, and my tongue often appears coated in a brown and white film. Inside my mouth, I have sores and red spots, and my skin peels, problems that seem to linger without resolution. Swallowing food can be difficult, occasionally requiring me to cough up what I’ve eaten because it feels stuck. My throat makes gurgling sounds, and I constantly have the sensation that something is lodged in there. Recently, my voice has taken on a raspier tone, and I’ve noticed tenderness and swelling around my lymph node on the right side of my throat. At 23 years old, standing 6’4” and weighing 130 pounds, I’m struggling with unintentional weight loss. No matter what dietary approach I adopt or how much I consume, gaining weight remains elusive. I smoke approximately 12-15 cigarettes daily. I’m uncertain whether my symptoms are alarming or merely a consequence of my smoking habit. With a $3,600 health insurance deductible that has just reset, visiting a doctor is currently beyond my financial reach, which is why I decided to seek advice here. Thank you for taking the time to read this. I apologize for the lengthy message.
Seeking Support for Unique Mental Health Journey
I’m a 20-year-old male standing at 6 feet tall and weighing 230 pounds. After spending over seven years in isolation, I’m now embarking on the path to recovery. However, I find myself intrigued about whether there are particular brain specialists who might be interested in examining a case such as mine. It seems that I’ve heard of others in similar situations receiving attention and even compensation for participating in studies. Does anyone have insights on whether this could be a viable option for someone in my circumstances?
Experiencing a Manic Episode Despite Medication: Is This Typical?
Age: 38 Gender: Male Height: 6’5” Weight: 225 lbs Ethnicity: Caucasian Duration of Symptoms: I began experiencing manic symptoms in November. I have a bipolar diagnosis that dates back to when I was 16 years old. Location: Pennsylvania Pre-existing Health Conditions: Diagnosed with Bipolar 1, ADHD, anxiety, and an eating disorder. Current Medications: Currently prescribed include: Lurasidone HCl 60 mg tablets, Doxepin HCl 6 mg tablets, Lithium 300 mg, Lisdexamfetamine 70 mg, Zolpidem 12.5 mg controlled-release, Pregabalin 225 mg, Jardiance 10 mg, Lisinopril 10 mg, Naltrexone 50 mg, Mounjaro 15 mg/0.5 mL solution, and Topiramate ER 200 mg, along with Atorvastatin 20 mg. I hope I’ve followed the guidelines for this post. I’m currently enduring a manic episode. It began with symptoms such as restlessness, excessive irritability, racing thoughts, impulsive spending, and rapid speech. Now, I’m facing the aftermath with symptoms of profound depression, thoughts of self-harm, very low energy, and ongoing irritability. I'm quite disheartened as my medication regimen seems ineffective in preventing this episode. Should I reach out to my physician to discuss adjusting my medication or increasing the dosage? It feels like my lithium intake is relatively low at 300 mg taken three times daily. Is it frequent for someone to experience a manic episode while on multiple types of medication, particularly a combination like lithium, Lurasidone, and Doxepin? The Lisdexamfetamine I’m taking is aimed at managing ADHD and my eating issues. Any advice or insights would be immensely valuable. Thank you!
Seeking Guidance for Coping with Eating Disorder Triggers and Thoughts
I'm an 18-year-old female, weighing around 120 lbs and standing at 5 feet 4 inches tall. Over the past few months, I’ve been navigating the transition of living independently while pursuing my college education, making strides to establish healthier routines for myself. Having been a competitive athlete throughout my formative years, I grew up in an environment where maintaining a fit and slender physique was intensely stressed. However, upon entering college, my exercise regimen dwindled, leading me to gain about 5 to 7 pounds. This change was a source of anxiety for me, and following a somewhat offhand remark from my mother regarding my weight, I felt compelled to regain control. Regrettably, my response wasn't the healthiest. I started to severely limit my intake, sometimes going as long as 3 to 5 days subsisting on just gum, water, and the occasional energy drink. There was a sense of pride in my ability to endure such restrictions, and I experienced an unsettling exhilaration from the emptiness in my stomach. However, when I finally succumbed to the urge to eat, I would then purge. Initially, it was an isolated incident, but it soon regrettably escalated into a more frequent occurrence over the next month or so. I found myself meticulously tracking my calorie intake, and despite significant restrictions on certain days, I would often purge any small healthy meals I managed to consume because I despised the sensation of fullness. I began gravitating towards all-zero-sugar and low-calorie options, steering clear of foods I once cherished. To this day, I still experience apprehension surrounding specific dishes that used to bring me joy. After recognizing my behaviors, my roommate intervened, suggesting healthier methods to alter my weight, such as embracing regular workouts. Taking her advice to heart, I dedicated myself to making a change. I’ve done reasonably well since then, only reverting once or twice following that realization. I started engaging in exercise more frequently while prioritizing balanced meals and sufficient sleep, resulting in a notable improvement in my overall happiness. Upon returning to college after the winter break, I set new fitness objectives for myself. Despite never being overweight, my goal was to shed additional pounds and enhance muscle tone, prompting an increase in my workout frequency. Understanding the necessity of a caloric deficit for weight loss, I began eating less. My current practice involves loosely estimating my calorie intake from Monday to Thursday with an aim of keeping it below 1000. I also strive to burn over 1000 calories during those weekdays, reducing my expectations to at least 500 calories burned on weekends. My routine typically includes strength training 5 to 6 times a week, along with around two hours of incline walking on the treadmill and outdoor distance walks. On the weekends, I don’t track my calories explicitly; I try to eat mindfully but find myself skipping meals occasionally when I feel I’ve overindulged. I treat myself to sweets during the weekends, but I have developed a fear of certain foods I used to enjoy, such as pasta, avocados, peanut butter, and even whole bananas, opting instead for a third of a banana for breakfast throughout the weekdays. I've successfully lost a considerable amount of weight and feel pleased with my progress. Nevertheless, I frequently experience stomach discomfort and bloating, often leading me to believe I might feel better when I don’t eat rather than when I do. My current approach includes keeping my caloric intake lower for four days while designating the remaining three days as ‘refueling’ days to maintain a balance. Although this routine has yielded positive mental and physical results, I am now dealing with injuries and am concerned about needing to limit my walking routine to allow my ankle time to heal, as I want to avoid prolonged setbacks due to tendonitis. I recognize this regime has significantly aided my mental well-being and helped manage my anxiety regarding food. Last month, for instance, I logged 229 miles of walking and burned over 30,000 active calories according to my Apple Watch. While I appreciate the structure I’ve established, I’m uncertain about how to proceed with my injury and I am apprehensive about repeating the behaviors I experienced in the past. Does anyone have suggestions or alternatives I could incorporate during my recovery while still staying active? Any insights or advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
Seeking Medical Advice for Hormonal and Nervous System Symptoms Post-Medication
Greetings everyone, I'm reaching out on behalf of my wife, who doesn't participate in Reddit, to seek advice on what kind of medical professional she should consult regarding her health issues after halting her medications and supplements. Here are some details about her: - Age: 33 years - Gender: Female - Height: Approximately 5 feet 2 inches - Weight: Roughly 100 pounds - Country: United States - Tobacco Use: None - Alcohol Consumption: None - Recreational Drug Use: Discontinued THC gummies 12 weeks ago (used them 1-3 times a week for a year) - Current Medications: None - Past Medications/Supplements: - Concerta for ADHD (discontinued around 8 weeks ago after 15 years of use) - Vitex (chasteberry) at a dosage of 500–600 mg daily for about 1 year (stopped approximately 6 weeks ago) - "Adrenal support" supplements (adaptogenic/cortisol-focused, which have now been ceased) Her main concerns have arisen over recent weeks, displaying a range of physical symptoms that do not align perfectly with one specific issue: - Sleep disturbances, particularly waking up early feeling restless and with adrenaline surges - A sense of discomfort in her nervous system during the evening, without any accompanying anxious thoughts - Infrequent heart rate awareness and a jittery sensation - Periods of brain fog paired with challenges in focusing - Experiencing emotional numbness at times - Symptoms that vary in intensity with her menstrual cycle Regarding assessments conducted thus far: - Routine lab results from her primary care physician (including thyroid tests) came back normal - No known heart conditions - She has no history of anxiety disorders (these feelings do not seem to stem from thought processes) While she does not perceive a significant level of anxiety or stress mentally, she senses a physical imbalance—particularly in relation to sleep and hormonal issues. These symptoms seem to be rooted more in physiology than in psychological factors. We are trying to determine which type of specialist would be best suited for her next steps: - Endocrinologist (for possible hormonal imbalances?) - Psychiatrist (to address medication withdrawal versus potential physiological anxiety?) - Neurologist (to investigate autonomic functions or nervous system issues?) - Provider in functional or integrative medicine - Or perhaps a different specialty altogether I would appreciate insights from anyone, especially those who have dealt with similar health situations after stopping long-term stimulant use or hormone-affecting supplements. What type of medical professional should she consult first, and why? Thank you very much for any support or recommendations you can offer!