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[RA]

Apologies in advance if this has been discussed before or not allowed, but I’m struggling with my oestrogel, I initially requested oestrogel and utrogestan and all symptoms disappeared within days. Two months in and I was unable to get the non PI gel for a week or so. Finally got it again and symptoms are getting worse instead of better. I’m on 3/4 pumps at the moment. Is there any way of checking if this is a faulty batch? I don’t want to go back to chemist as it was such a faff trying to get this version in the first place 

[Dotty]

Hi it could be that you need more. x

[RA]

I had already increased to 3 pumps not too long before I ran out of the current batch and this was working great although I have increased to 4.

[Dotty]

It’s possible that your own supplies of oestrogen have dropped and so you need more. Are you peri or post menopause ?

[wherearemyslippers]

I've had similar thoughts recently, I've felt like the gel isn't working as well as it usually does, even at a higher dose. I'm now having an early bleed because I doubled my dose and of course it's messed up my cycle!

[Jasmine20]

RA

There are a number of menopause doctors on instagram such as Dr Naomi Potter and Dr Rebecca Lewis who have been asking their followers if their symptoms have returned since Estrogel slightly changed their labelling.

There have been a lot of comments  from women experiencing similar problems to yours.

(This is probably not relevant but there seems to be a difference of opinion about how to apply Estrogel - some doctors say rub it in until it's been absorbed and others say Besins Healthcare stipulate the gel should be spread over the skin thinly and left to absorb for 5-10 mins as per the original trials.)

[RA]

I’ll take a look at these doctors instagram pages and see if I learn anything new. It’s so frustrating as I was doing so well, just apply gel and rub in,wait 5 mins then get dressed.
I’m post menopausal Dotty.

[Jasmine20]

Frustrating isn't it?

And especially after the whole Estrodose/Estrogel palaver.

Have you tried patches?

[RA]

Extremely frustrating indeed. No I haven’t tried patches, the doctor has prescribed sandrena gel. Not sure how I feel about, very reluctant but can’t go on like this. 

[Jasmine20]

Best of luck. I've not heard of any production or quality issues with Sandrena.

[Pippa52]

They changed the formulation a while back from estradiol 17b to estradiol hemihydrate which made me feel dreadful so after over  20 years of being on Estrogel  which worked well for me I had to be changed off it so it may be that is the reason it is not working well for you possibly? x

[Paz23]

RA

There are a number of menopause doctors on instagram such as Dr Naomi Potter and Dr Rebecca Lewis who have been asking their followers if their symptoms have returned since Estrogel slightly changed their labelling.

There have been a lot of comments  from women experiencing similar problems to yours.

(This is probably not relevant but there seems to be a difference of opinion about how to apply Estrogel - some doctors say rub it in until it's been absorbed and others say Besins Healthcare stipulate the gel should be spread over the skin thinly and left to absorb for 5-10 mins as per the original trials.)

I’ve found that it doesn’t actually rub in. It doesn’t matter how much you rub - it absorbs into the skin at the same rate if you just leave it. So I don’t think that makes any difference.

Mine is definitely not absorbing as well as it was doing. I’ve had to put it up to 3 pumps and I’ve still got symptoms. Why couldn’t they have just left it alone? Probably a man who’s made the decision 

[EllaAurora]

Hello ladies
I'm reading this thread with concern: has there been a change to Estrogel product along with the new labelling? Does anyone know what the change is? I'm really worried as I'm just slooowly improving with the gel and it's really terrifying to think that something is changing with the product and it may have an impact on how it absorbs or works in general.
Thank you so much if anyone can help here!

[Uptick]

Hi EllaAurora, I've seen this on another thread and meant to reply but I forgot. Foggy brain these days. As far as I know, and trust me, I have been reading a lot about all types of HRT, the gel is 'the same', and I'm quoting it because one can never know unless you have access to the pharmaceutical company. 17-beta estradiol is the same as estradiol hemihydrate, at least when it comes to its function as a hormone. Regarding absorption it can be tricky. I've only read one article about this and it's very technical. I can post a link if you're interested. That said, there's a possible different explanation for different experiences with the 'new' Oestrogel. The PIL has been changed recently. Now it says they can be manufactured by Delpharm (Belgium) or Besins, so maybe there are minor but still important differences between them. I have read on an old thread (can't remember which one right now) that Besins intends to bring the manufacturing process back to France. Hope this helps. Cheers.

[Gnatty]

I haven't noticed any difference at all.