Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[julie55]

Hi Perri I'm confused to still not took the plunge and started mine I'm very nervous due to horrible side effects of last patch I had x anyway I'm post Meno and apparently you  insert 100mg tablet into your vagina each night continuously so then you do not get a bleed you get less side effects this way so  I'm told and it can make you sleepy if your taking it oral then it's 200mg per night on an empty tummy x the gel is one to two pumps spread on your inner thighs not rubbed in leave to dry. For approx 10 mins you can adjust dose to suit so you could start on one pump see if that is ok if your still getting symptoms increase to two pumps that's what I understand so far if I am not correct I'm sure someone will  correct me as I said I've not started mine yet I have it here but I am very nervous of side effects x anyway hope this helps x

[Opal]

Hurdity

Thanks i re read the leaflet and it just says not to moisturise for an hour after applying gel but will  get a clear shower gel

[Cassie]

Hi Perri, I take it only 12 days a month as I dont like the side effects, it has the opposite effect on me that it does on many, instead of making me sleepy, it gives me insomnia, and makes me feel like I have had too much coffee, I feel a bit racy and jittery on it, so I only use it for 12 days a month and to be honest, I often cheat and use it every 2nd month, but one does need to go for a scan annually to see that its working properly. I only rub 1 pump of gel into each leg, I massage it in well until its absorbed, I have never just put it on and let it dry, it takes about 30 secons to rub it in, the length of the leg.
If you do use the Utrogestan for only 12 days a month, you will get a bleed every month, it usually starts about 4 or 5 days after you have stopped the Utrogestan & lasts a few days.
I have never used it every day, but if you choose that, then you should  not get a bleed at all apparantly.
Hope this helps, feel free to ask any questions.

[Arty22]

I'm so pleased to hear that it's not just me who has the opposite effect with the tablet, I find it really difficult to sleep too! Also I tend to rub the gel the gel on my outer arm instead of inner thigh, does this matter does anybody know?

[Perri]

Thanks so much ladies. It's good to read how others are dealing with all these lotions and potions.... And more importantly, where they are putting them!

If I've got it right it's down to personal choice post menopause!?! I'm going to try and carry on with continuous use (I started last night) and inserted it rather than took it orally. I didn't have the best sleep, so I'll review in a month.

To be honest I don't relish the idea of having a period again. Is the bleed like a normal period? I'd kind of hoped me and Tampax had parted company for good 

The next question..... (sorry)... Has anyone thrown testosterone in the mix? My husband is thinking of moving out and becoming a monk as my libido is totally non existent!

Any info would be much appreciated 

[Cassie]

Haha Peri, the oestrogel will def help a bit with your libido. I did have a testosterone test a few yrs back my levels were very low but the gynae didnt bother to treat it, but I know that there are a few ladies on here, who have used testosterone,  Hurdity, is one that comes to mind, only because she posted her experiences about it.
It is a normal bleed for me and lasts a few days with day one and two being heavier, but I used to have the same before I went through meno. It just doesnt last the full 7 days that I used to experience in my 20's and 30s, usually tapers off around day 4.
Good luck with the journey.

[Cassandraa]

Hello! I'm new to the group and not sure if this is the right way to post, so please let me know if am making a mistake in entering my message here and I will move it. I am 47, perimenopause, on Oestrogel / Utrogestan (first few days since I've started). I put the Oestrogel on my arms - starting dose is 1 pump  - but when I picked my dog up in my arms today I immediately thought of the oestrogen passing on to him. I subsequently read some pretty alarming info on estrogen being passively rubbed on to pets, children,  etc. I am thinking of starting to apply it in on my thighs instead - does this really work just as well, and if so, where exactly should I put it? Thank you! 

[Cassandraa]

Hi Perri I used 1 pump of the oestrogel daily and 100mg of the  UTrogestan for 12 days a month. You will then get a bleed every month, it is important if you dont use 100mg daily that you try to get a scan of your uterus once a year to see that the lining is staying thin enough. If you are post menopausal, then  you never take a break from the oestrogel, its used daily, I alternate legs and use it at night when I get into bed.
If you find that 1 pump is not working you can up it to 2 I dont have any symptoms on 1 pump, have never had a hot flush nor many of the nasty symptoms one gets, it works really well its a good combo to have.
Good luck

Hi Cassie, I'm new to the group and only just started cyclical Oestrogel (1 pump) and Utrogestan (200) combo for 12 days. I already know the Utrogestan is going to make me feel like a lunatic, and so I've been wondering whether it might be OK to halve the given dose to 100mg and possibly insert it vaginally instead of taking it orally (I am thinking it diffuses closer to the uterus, and I might also tolerate it better as not taken orally). Are there any risks associated with this lower dose that you know of? Thank you x

[sheila99]

Pets can get alopecia from it so it's important you don't come into contact with your pet, there's a post on it. I'm not sure if it's OK when it's fully dry. I've always used it on inner thigh so can't compare but I don't believe it makes a difference. As long as you use it consistently you can increase or decrease it to suit.

[Cassandraa]

Thank you - yes, and as far as I've read, not just alopecia but - among other things - aplastic anemia which is a very serious condition, so I will switch to applying the gel to legs, at least  while my arms are exposed during the warmer months. How do I find the pet-related thread? Tx! x   

[sheila99]

Actually I think it got political so was deleted. It was started by BeaR, if you pm her I'm sure she'll send you the link to the research.

[Hurdity]

Hi Cassie, I'm new to the group and only just started cyclical Oestrogel (1 pump) and Utrogestan (200) combo for 12 days. I already know the Utrogestan is going to make me feel like a lunatic, and so I've been wondering whether it might be OK to halve the given dose to 100mg and possibly insert it vaginally instead of taking it orally (I am thinking it diffuses closer to the uterus, and I might also tolerate it better as not taken orally). Are there any risks associated with this lower dose that you know of? Thank you x

Hi Cassandraa

 

There is some research (small trials) which shows that when used vaginally half the dose of progesterone may be needed to protect the uterus (on low to medium oestrogen doses) compared with oral use, and some menopause specialists do indeed recommend vaginal use.

The risks associated with lower doses are that the endometirum may not be protected sufficiently so should be done under medical supervision, (although some members who can afford it,  have regular private scans to miniotr their uterus lining).

Where are you in menopause ie natural periods, cycle length, period length and flow? This will also have a bearing on how much progesterone you need. Ideally you should start with the licensed dose for a few months and see what bleed you get before thimnking about reducing. if your periods are still pretty regular then you will still be producing your own which may be sufficient to justify a reduced progesterone dose with the HRT.

As you see there are many unknowns!

Also as has been said - just avoid close contact with any other person or animal for at least an hour after gel application (ie the part of the body where you have applied it) to avoid transfer. Application to thighs sounds like the best solution!

Hurdity x

[Cassie]

Hi Cassandra, I have been using the low dose Utrogestan for over 12 yrs and its always worked for me, as Hurdity says, using it vaginally does make a difference as well.
Having said that if you go for an annual ultrasound then I cannot see why you shouldnt try it this way, as 200mg was way too strong for me, apart from giving me terrible tinnitus it did turn me into a loon 
I apply 1 pump to each  leg at  night in bed, never anywhre else for the past 12 yrs and it works a treat.

[Lorrstar]

Hi , another query from me I have just increased my Estrogel from 2 pumps to 3 pumps last week to see if I could reduce various aches & pains , all seemed fine on first few days but now a week later I am feeling very weird mostly fuzzy strange head & blood pressure seems to be fluctuating , I can't really be bothered with anything - should I go back down to 2 pumps , is this normal when Estrogel is increased (all very confusing)?

[Hillbilly]

Hi all.

I was planning on coming off HRT completely but decided instead to reduce my Utro to 100mg for 12 nights instead of 200mg.
I'm peri and still bleed well so assumed it wouldn't be a huge risk to try this.

Bonus- I feel great! No suicidal thoughts and feeling really positive.
But today, 8 nights of Utro, I have cramps and a bit of spotting as though I'm about to get my period.
Does this mean I need more prog? Should I increase my dose tonight or carry on with 100mg?
I'm wondering if I should figure out my natural cycle and sync my hrt to that.

Any ideas?