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[IluvBrum]

I started Oestrogel and Utrogestan 6 weeks ago now to alleviate night sweats and disrupted sleep. Apart from these issues, I am very well during the day. I use 2 pumps of gel and cyclical Utrogestan. I have tried various ways of using the gel. At day, at night, split dose day and night, on the arms on the thighs, all various combinations! But my symptons are still there and I cannot say there is much of a difference, maybe slight but not significant. Eg. Instead of waking up multiple times a night, maybe waking up just once or twice. Sometimes in a sweat, sometimes not.

I had high hopes for this treatment especially after reading all the positive comments about this wonderful gel. Also read that these symptons are the first to go when starting this treatment, usually 2 weeks. However, this hasn't happened for me and I am wondering whether I should continue. It would certainly be one less patient to prescribe to bearing in mind the difficulties in obtaining the gel.

I have also read that it can take up to 3 months to get the full effects so I am not sure what to do.

My overall health is very good and I rarely consult GPs and take medication because I rarely get sick. I cannot remember the last time I took a paracetamol let alone an antibiotic or a prescription for any other sort of medication.

Anyone else out there in a similar situation where Oestrogel is not having much of an effect on night sweats and sleep? How long did it take for these symptons to go?

[sheila99]

My insomnia took 3 months but the flushes should have gone by now. I'd see you gp. I think you need an increase but your gp may be unwilling to prescribe more until the 3 months are up. It might be that you just need more or it might be you're one of the few people who doesn't absorb well transdermally so aren't getting the dose you should have. As there has been an improvement I would stick with it and try to get the dose right.

[Dotty]

Hi any slight improvement is good. The effects of hrt build up over time and it is a waiting game. It takes about 3 months to start feeling the full effects and it continues to get better. With me it was a slow realisation that things were getting better.

As Sheila says, insomnia takes a long time to go. It was the last thing for me. You may need a higher dose .  Don’t give up xxx

[Louise2010]

Hi sorry to hear you’re not getting relief from all your symptoms. I agree with the other ladies - stick with it.
I’d say try using it on one place only like your upper arms, for an extended period of time.
Maybe also keep a diary note of how you slept, what you ate, etc It’s a faff sometimes to remember (especially when you haven’t had good sleep!) but it helps build up a picture for you and your gp. Also you may see a pattern emerging where some nights are better than others and maybe see if you did anything different on those days?
The sleep thing is really tough I hear you on that. Something I took for granted for so many years - just messes you up when you don’t get it.

[IluvBrum]

Thank you for all your replies...it is encouraging 

I think I will stick with it and give it the full 3 months. However, it's just a mystery to me why the gel hasn't had a significant effect. I would understand it more if I had many other debilitating symptons why it would take more time to work. But for crying out loud, I'm just suffering with the sweats which wake me up several times a night.

I dont know if this is relevant but I am only petite sized and can fit into teen aged clothes. I would have thought based on this, the usual 2 pumps would have done the trick. For example, a horse is going to need more food to function than a small dog.

Oh well, I guess I'll just have to keep calm and carry on as they say.

[VictoryV]

I thought I’d need less too as I’ve got a low BMI but I’ve needed to increase along the way.

[Turkish delight]

Hia,

Sorry to hear of your suffering, it is a really awful cycle to be stuck in and I feel your pain as had it in the extreme before starting the gel.

I would wake more than a dozen times a night bcz of hot flushes. But for me I was lucky and the night sweats plus insomnia went within a day of starting the Oestrogel. I only ever slip back into the nightmare cycle if my estrogen level drops, and then I know i need to get it sorted asap.

I hope you get some good sleep soon as it is vital, and affects every part of the day and every part of you.

TD

[Gnatty]

I don't think it works like that. In fact the thinner you are the more oestrogel you need as you don't have much visceral fat in which oestrogen is stored. Equally if you don't drink much alcohol you need more than those who drink regularly.

[Shannonplussed]

Repeating the advice to stick to one spot. My practitioner was adamant to use the same location consistently (like when I was using one pump only, she insists the same arm, don’t alternate arms). Don’t worry about splitting the dose am & pm when it is just two pumps. Find a location and time that works and just keep doing that.

Another thing to consider is your bath products…are you using a shower gel that leaves a moisturizing deposit that might interfere with absorption?

[Louise2010]

Can I I ask IluvBrum have you had Covid recently?

[Uptick]

Hi IluvBrum, some women think the newer version of Oestrogel is a little weaker (it's the one with a green square at the bottom of the front sticker)

[clareabelle1]

Hi.
Don't think I can really help you but I am exactly the same as you. I only went on hrt because of the awful night sweats!!!.
I've been on it for a year now and also coincidentally I'm only petite🤣 I've upped my dose to 5 pumps of Oestradiol and felt so Ill and still night sweats 🙈I'm now back down to 2 pumps and testosterone . Still no better!!!
It's a nightmare but just wanted to say you're not the only one still suffering. I just wanted a quick fix but not happening for me.

[Vicky81]

Hi

I am 5 weeks in to 4 pumps of Oestrogel and Testim. I am still having night sweats too. Not sure what to do either!?

[Vicky81]

.......Just to add when i had my blood test on 4th March, my Oestrogen was 1615. I rang the clinic yesterday to ask about this and (night sweats)  - Just for reference i am under Dr Studd's clinic (the london PMS and menopause centre)

The lady told me not to worry....and that the level shows i am absorbing. Not sure how true this is...but....

[VanillaLover]

I think you need to give it the full three months to be sure HOWEVER yes sorry in my experience the hot flushes etc were the first thing to calm down (within a week or two). I am on 50mg patch so equivalent to your doseage.

In fact since being on the patch my night sweats and hot flushes have got much worse recently and really ramped up in the last month. It’s now six months since I started. I imagine I am now in need of more oestrogen to control them.

The doctor will want you to do the full three months I expect, to give it a fair chance, but after that I would be looking for a higher dose oestrogen ie add a pump of gel to see if that improves things.