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[Noheroicsplease]

Hi all

I'm thinking of changing from gel to estradot. I'm confused by the dfferent strengths - how does the patch equate to pumps?

Also, I'm right in thinking they are both bioidentical?

Do people think the patch gives a more consistent flow of oestrogen?

[Hurdity]

Hi Noheroicsplease

I am speaking as someone who has been using estradot happily for nearly 11 years so I am biased! Seriously though it is a question of which one you absorb better as well as personal preference. It's not possible to give an exact equivalence but be guided by low medium or high dose - with estrogel I think 1 pump is low, 2 is medium and 4 is high. With patches 50 mcg is the standard medium dose post-menopausal dose given in continuous combined HRT but some women and especially younger women will probably need higher. I actually use 62.5 mcg unofficially - for the past 6 months or more - but most of the time since I started it's been 50 mcg which eliminated all my symptoms and enables me to function normally  (!)

Yes almost all HRT oestrogens are bioidentical except for the PREM ones that come from horse urine. Some of the tabs contain estradiol valerate which is converted to estradiol in the body so counts as bio.

Re consistent flow - the patch will deliver a more consistent dose through your skin although the gel should build up to steady state in the blood system as far as I understand. Some women seem to get a big "hit" soon after applying gel so may experience temporary very high doses which you don't get with the patch. However some women find the patch dose tails off too quickly - although this can be overcome to some extent by increasing the dose and possibly changing the patch every 3 days. With patches it's important to make sure it remains stuck so I have a regular feel, check, and press it down (if necessary) every loo visit.

Many women like the gel because they can adjust the dose more easily but with high doses I imagine it is quite a large amount to spread over your skin - but as a gel user you will know what this is like!

Hurdity x

[Loubylou]

I've just started Estradot today 50mcg. I really hope this stuff works! I was on Estrogel but I found that the small dose I was on wasn't doing anything but when I used more it gave me a rapid heartbeat and I felt low and tired. Also is a faff rubbing it in every morning and sometimes I would forget. So, I asked for the patch. I was worried it would be like a big plaster but it is so small and transparent.
I'm postmenopausal but under 40 Years old so need to have consistent hormones.

I am hoping it doesn't cause me to gain weight. Has anyone noticed weight gain with this?

[NinaH]

With the gel you can't just get up and go - plus using four pumps takes ages to dry. Especially in the winter!

Patches are always falling off in summer, visible, leave black marks

Swings and roundabouts 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Tinkerbell]

I didn't get on with the patches, had to change more frequently and got irritation from the glue, but I always get that from plasters, micropore dressings etc, I am now a Estrogel fan!
My GP said  a 75mcg patch was roughly equivalent to 3 pumps of estrogel, the 50 patch was two pumps I guess 25mcg is one and 100 patch is four.

[Annie0710]

I used estradot 50mcg and 75mcg
(Great size and adhesion) but 50 was too low and 75 too high for me, leaving me feeling all jittery

So I tried oestrogel and love it
3 pumps per morning gives me steady symptom relief and I honestly don't find it a problem with drying times x

[Hurdity]

For anyone worried about patch dosage - like I said earlier to noheroicsplease - I am on 62.5 mcg - very easy to snip a bit off the 75 mcg (Estradot) to get an in-between dose if 50 mcg is too low and 75 mcg too high - works well for me. Snipping a patch or squirting some gel - whatever works best for you and your lifestyle/preference .

Loubyloo - I hope it works as well for you as it has done for me - and no - it hasn't caused weight gain - getting older and menopausal did that but I keep it at bay by judicious attention to my diet (and exercise) and make it a rule now, never to buy a bigger size in clothing as that is a slippery slope to fatness (for me!!). If I gain a few pounds (which I do regularly) I make sure I lose it again and stay a size 10.

If you're under 40 then you may well eventually benefit from a slightly higher dose - but see how you get on with this. I change patch every 3.5 days ie first in the evening then on morning of 4th day. What are you using for the progestogen (or have you had hysterectomy?).

Hurdity x

[Loubylou]

Thank you Hurdity.

I'm just on 50 for now but if it goes okay I reckon the will put me up. I was on utrogestan but it didn't agree with me by mouth or inserting it. So, Ive been prescribed a different progesterone pessary. I pick it up tomorrow, I can't remember what it is called.

I hadn't taken hrt for a few months because I just couldn't settle on it. My weight is piling on so I'm only just a 10. My main worry is the rolls on my belly. It's like I've had 5 children when I haven't had any. The skin is really saggy and it has really knocked my confidence. I imagine it is due to the low oestrogen and skin elasticity. Can this be improved or is this normal?

[TNM45689]

Loubylou I am 46 but post menopausal and have been on 50mg Estradot patches. I have also been on Utrogestan but suffering from terribly bloating so looking to change - I would love to hear what progesterone pessaries you will get.

Thanks
Tx

[Loubylou]

Hi TNM45689

I didn't have time to pick them up today due to work but I will go tomorrow. Hopefully it will be ready and I will let you know the name.

Do you think it is the progesterone that makes you bloated or the estradot? What benefits do you notice on estradot?