UPDATE FOLLOWING RECENT DISCUSSION WITH DR LOUISE NEWSON
There has been continued speculation about the differences between Oestrogel and Oestrodose at various times and on various threads on this forum.
Just to recap – Besins manufacture both Oestrogel and Oestrodose at their plant in Belgium and they report that these are both the same product with different names, and have been tested extensively at different temperatures etc. Oestrogel is for the UK market and Oestrodose is for the French and other markets. The Oestrodose in the UK is imported via parallel import companies and repackaged (outer carton and pump pack, not the inner pouch containing the gel). Although stability studies (in terms of storage time and temperature) have been carried out using the Oestrodose/Oestrogel at Besins lab, they have stated they have no control over the product once it leaves their factory so cannot comment on storage conditions.
In view of the ongoing controversy surrounding this, and because she has been mentioned by forum members in the context of this debate at various times, I have been in discussion with Dr Louise Newson and she is happy for me to post her views on this forum.
She tells me that she has personally spoken to Besins several times about the gels, and that she has been given exactly the same information that I have – that the Oestrogel and Oestrodose that they manufacture there are identical in composition and just named differently.
In addition she says the following:
“Many women do not notice the difference between the two types. However, I certainly have several women who have told me that their symptoms have returned with using the oestrodose instead of the oestrogel. I wonder whether the pump action is slightly different so they receive slightly less of the gel. It is for this reason that I only dispense oestrogel in my clinic. So as a general rule if women use the alternative preparation which they have obtained from their GP without any problems then I would not be concerned but if they experience symptoms then I would encourage them to go back to using oestrogel. They can use their NHS prescription www.theindependentpharmacy.co.uk who usually only dispense oestrogel.
I think women should know that most of them will be fine but if they notice a difference then they should get the original pump packsâ€I raised the issue of the pump pack previously with Besins and they assured me that their pump pack delivered exactly the same amount. However as Louise points out there remains the possibility that the pump packs produced by some of the parallel importers are slightly different meaning some women might get less of the gel – and which some women may be more sensitive to?
The issue of itching is an entirely different matter and remains unresolved – there is no evidence to suggest there is a difference but as we have said several time before anyone experiencing a persistent allergic reaction only on the one product which resolves on changing and re-appears when Oestrodose is used – should report this to the MHRA, take a note of the batch number and also report to Besins because a compositional difference would imply fraud as the patient leaflets clearly state the ingredients, which are identical.
I hope this helps to clarify some of the issues raised. My intention in researching this was to help other women and reassure those who were concerned as well as to dispel rumours about the origins and composition of Besins Oestrodose which turned out to be unfounded.
Here's to a continued flush-free experience girls using whatever product you choose!
Hurdity x