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[Optimist]

Hi all, has anyone experienced not being able to have oestrogel due to manufacturing problems? My pharmacy has tried a few different suppliers and no luck and they say no idea when will be back in stock!
I've been given oestrodose.
I currently use 4 pumps Of oestrogel and I feel I'm finally getting to a stage on hrt with Mirena and oestrogel and worried that I'm going to be struggling again.
Has anyone else had this problem and used oestrodose successfully?
Thanks ladies, just need some reassurance xx

[Dotty]

Had trouble getting Oestrogel yesterday. Got same message as you . Think I will contact manufacturer next week.

[Tinkerbell]

I have used both, seem to get given oestrodose more frequently though.
I thought there was no difference, but since getting my hands on estrogel for the last few weeks I have had no blips with my VA also I prefer the Estrogel as it is thicker and less irritating on my skin.

[Maryjane]

My gynae said in her opinion oestrogel is better than oestrodose , especially for those sensitive ones re hormones.

[Salad]

Oestrogel definitely worked better on me - the consistency is so different between the two 

[Optimist]

Thanks all, have used oestrodose tonight and it dried quickly. Will give it a chance as would be good to have a reliable back up. Stellajane that's reassuring thanks, hoping for same results. Also spoke to different pharmacist today who is going to try source me some oestrogel Tuesday x

[Optimist]

I can't believe 2 days of using oestrodose same dosage (4 pumps) and today I feel like absolute crap, woke in night with hot flushes, feel exhausted and breasts are really hurting, low mood kicked in again too. How can two products that have the same ingredient be so different??!!
If this is how it's going to be with the gels and manufacturing problems I'll have to ask for patches or tablets as can't take the risk of this happening again after waiting so long to feel okay on an hrt. I'd felt I'd finally got to a good place on Mirena and oestrogel.
Sorry to rant ladies but I'm gobsmacked. I'm extremely sensitive to any medications cannot believe how I'm feeling right now I feel like I've crashed...horrid.

[Annie0710]

Whenever I've used oestrodose my back has started itching(and I apply it to thighs), I'm allergic to lots of things so I dispute the 2 products are identical x

[GypsyRoseLee]

I did a bit of reading about oestrogen Vs oestrogen. While the active ingredient is the same, and at the same concentration, the carrier gel is different in oestrodose, it's thinner. This can affect how you absorb the active ingredient.

[Hurdity]

Yes I agree if the carrier ingredients are different and if this affects the consistency then this will affect the rate of absorption. The key thing with oestrogen gel is that the oestrogen needs to be absorbed into the skin before it dries. The ingredients should all be listed on the patient information leaflet you get with the different canisters or pump pack - but even if the ingredients are the same - they may be in different proportions and you presumably would only be able to find this out from the manufacturers, if at all?

If the ingredients are the same but different proportions, I imagine any differences in absorption would be more apparent either in those who are very sensitive to small changes in estradiol levels and/or those using high doses eg 3 or 4 pumps since any absorption differences would be multiplied. Those who are sensitive to different ingredients may have an allergic reaction ( if there is something in one of them that can cause a reaction) in one rather than the other.. I presume Annie0710 if you are very sensitive and allergic generally then even different proportions of the same ingredients could have an effect (on your reaction) but I imagine this would be quite rare for most women.

Also I think provided women start with one of the two - whichever it is  (bit like oestrogen patches) - and you are not allergic - as long as you keep with the same one all should be OK ie there is nothing intrinsically wrong with oestrodose - but for those who are sensitive to changes in levels or the ingredients - it is changing from one to the other which could cause problems.

If you've only ever had oestrodose and your symptoms are sorted - then just keep on keeping on - is what I'm trying to say in a long-winded way!!!!!

Hurdity x

[Optimist]

Today I've felt a bit better but I feel like I'm going to have a period! I really hope I don't as cant remember the last time I had one...
I read someone else's  post yesterday about new guidelines for applying the gels and I have been really rubbing the oestrodose into my inner thighs/arms until it felt dry! Don't know if that's making a slight difference to the absorbtion. I'm wondering if that's what you meant Hurdity when you mentioned the gel has to be absorbed before it drys, so maybe that's the trick.
Is the oestrodose cheaper than the oestrogel does anyone know? Is that why they try to give you that one? My prescription clearly states oestrogel 0.6% besins, but they've still tried to give me oestrodose each time. The pharmacist said she'll try source some oestrogel tomorrow so fingers crossed! Thanks ladies oh and good luck Ruth your sandrena trial Hurdity. Let us know how you get on x

[Hurdity]

Yes - I read a paper about this - once it has dried then it is no longer absorbed - which is why the size of the area it is spread on is quite important. There was a study which showed that absorption was less if the gel was spread on as wide an area as possilbe eg the whole of the leg from top to bottom, than a smaller area although there wasn't a huge difference with smaller areas where absorption was greater. I think as long as you are consistent and it is being absorbed then that's what's important - ie it will presumably be absorbed the same way on the same part of your body. However a way of increasing the dose could be by changing the way you apply it or the application site - although there is no way of measuring except by going on symptoms!

Hurdity x

[Optimist]

Makes sense and I've got to say definitely feeling better. Still spotting quite badly which I hadn't been doing for a while and still feel a bit crampy but mood okay. I'm really rubbing it in well to inner thighs or concentrated shoulder area to the point where it feels almost dry. Hopefully that's the trick! If it is and I'm absorbing well oestrodose will be a good substitute when Amy manufacturing problems occur x

[Hurdity]

We had a lengthy debate on this subject probably a year ago now. My Oestrodose actually has a sticky label on the back which says Oestrogel! I doubt they'd get away with that unless the essential ingredient is the same. The Oestrodose does appear thinner so one pump looks more.

If the Oestrodose doesn't suit you ask your GP to mark it on your notes. I've had to do that with a particular antihistamine I use - I HAVE to stick with the one brand as the unbranded version of the same essential ingredient makes me feel lousy. Its definitely the carrier ingredients that cause the problems.

Yes the essential ingredient is the same - it's estradiol at whatever concentration (0.06%?) ie exactly the same for both so it is either the actual carrier ingredients or their concentrations which must vary - or as we discussed when it was raised before - the composition/material of the pump pack possibility affecting the temperature of the contents which could affect the consistency especially if one (canister material) allows greater temperature variation in the contents! Sounds a bit obscure but could be possible.

Hurdity x

[Hurdity]

Good news Optimist!

Hurdity x