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Author Topic: Not absorbing oestrogel??  (Read 3084 times)

Vicky81

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Not absorbing oestrogel??
« on: February 26, 2022, 12:24:17 PM »

Hi all

Seen a message on here from a while ago from a lady saying that she just wasn't absorbing the oestrogel and had to go on patch.

As I'm new to this and on 3 pumps a day,, just gave me food for thought and thought I would ask you guys...how would I know if I'm not absorbing the gel? Is it just a matter of looking  on the area applied?, or is this through blood test?

Thanks in advance

Vicky xxx
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Nik2502

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Re: Not absorbing oestrogel??
« Reply #1 on: February 26, 2022, 01:25:57 PM »

A blood test will show your oestrogen level to give a guide if you’re absorbing or not. It should be about 350 for optimal effectiveness x
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Amazing grace

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Re: Not absorbing oestrogel??
« Reply #2 on: February 26, 2022, 01:31:18 PM »

Hi, how long have you been using the gel? Takes at least 3 months to know how you will settle on it, I would think your symptoms are what most doctors go by, blood tests too but GP's don't routinely do them for hrt, unreliable too during peri due to hormone fluctuations I believe, you can go up to 4 pumps on estrogel, what makes you think you are not absorbing?, I'm on estrogel and I still have menopause symptoms that remain it's not a cure all, I also have some side effects from using it, it's all a bit confusing to be honest, but for me I have no hot flushes at all and that's what I go off, are you peri or post that too will influence hrt.
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Vicky81

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Re: Not absorbing oestrogel??
« Reply #3 on: February 26, 2022, 02:02:19 PM »

Thanks all.

I'm peri ...just turned 41. Anxiety low mood and tearfulness my main symptoms. Been on the gel 4 days at 3 pumps, also testim gel. I take progesterone tablets on 1st April. 

Nik- so 350 is a good level of oestrogen to have? I really want the blood test but my gynaecologist said ",not yet" even though I am willing to pay the £250, at his clinic! I just wanted to know my levels.
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Vicky81

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Re: Not absorbing oestrogel??
« Reply #4 on: February 26, 2022, 02:03:53 PM »

Amazing grace- what side effects do you get?
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sheila99

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Re: Not absorbing oestrogel??
« Reply #5 on: February 26, 2022, 02:17:23 PM »

I think medichecks do it, probably for much less than £250. I tend to agree it may be a waste of money atm unless you want a baseline, probably more worthwhile after 3 months if you don't feel better by then.
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Amazing grace

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Re: Not absorbing oestrogel??
« Reply #6 on: February 26, 2022, 02:20:07 PM »

Your gynecologist is right to wait, its probably too soon to test yet, 3 days is very early to know if its doing anything, is this your first hrt, or were you on anything before the gel, it's good you are under a gynecologist and you are being monitored, given you are at a private clinic I would be reassured they know what they are doing, unlike the NHS where its not so good regarding hrt, side effects will be different for everyone and won't affect you the same way as they do me, you are also on a different regime to me, I use estr but not testim, when I first started the gel, my side effects were nausea, headaches, increase in hot flushes and increased anxiety like a strange jittery feeling, but they settled after a couple of weeks, I get them back when I change doses, going up or down, I've found it hard to find a balance, but that doesn't mean you will, its so early on for you, 3 days definitely isn't enough time to deal with the anxiety be patient and I'm sure you will feel the benefits in a few weeks, good luck.
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Vicky81

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Re: Not absorbing oestrogel??
« Reply #7 on: February 26, 2022, 03:28:00 PM »

Amazing grace- yes my side effects are heavy head feeling, a bit lihht headed, hands more shake and tired.....more tired than I have been.
What you think?, is this normal?
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Amazing grace

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Re: Not absorbing oestrogel??
« Reply #8 on: February 26, 2022, 03:48:49 PM »

Hi, yes I think it's normal try not to worry I know that's hard it will hopefully pass in time as you settle on your hrt, I really sympathise I too had the lightheaded feeling its frustrating because you just want to feel right, I too was like you young when peri hit  eventually started hrt at 43, now 48 hang in there things will get better, take care and good luck, remember you are very early into taking hrt, be patient, you would ever have thought menopause can cause so many symptoms, the joys of being a woman  :( x
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Vicky81

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Re: Not absorbing oestrogel??
« Reply #9 on: February 26, 2022, 04:09:20 PM »

I know its the patience with me....thanks for you advice xxx
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alibeau

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Re: Not absorbing oestrogel??
« Reply #10 on: February 26, 2022, 06:05:20 PM »

I think one of the hardest parts of all of this is the dreaded “give it 2-3 months” to see how things balance out…

Who wants to wait that amount of time with awful symptoms, it’s all a bit poo at times…..

Sending best wishes (and a little patience too  ;))

Ali x
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Vicky81

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Re: Not absorbing oestrogel??
« Reply #11 on: February 26, 2022, 06:21:14 PM »

I know!!! Awful xx
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QueenofReds3

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Re: Not absorbing oestrogel??
« Reply #12 on: February 26, 2022, 07:08:42 PM »

I agree alibeau, it is all a bit 💩 sometimes😄 Four years post meno and still trying to find the right balance. It does require patience and help from this forum.x
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