I started four times a treatment with transdermal 17-beta-estradiol 25 mcg and always had to stop it after 4-5 weeks because of progressively increasing abdominal side effects (blooting, borborigms, colon pain and spasms). My colonscopy is normal, blood and genetic tests for predisposition to trombophylia are negative. So they are due to physiologic stimulation of the estrogen receptors in the neurons of the autonomic nervous system (Auerbach and Meissner plexus).
These side effects are common, as described in the product information, but they bother me a lot. My physician prescribed me vegetal coal to reduce abdominal air, with poor result; the dose of estradiol cannot be reduced because 25 mcg is the lowest available in my country.
I am wondering what other physicians who prescribe estradiol as HRT in menopause, recommend patients to do in the same situation: to continue or not, and in case affirmative, how to minimize side effects and continue the treatment?