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[Snowy78]

Hello Everyone,

I am in perimenopause stage which I didn't know until the other day when my doctor suggested I was with the symptoms I have been experiencing - just thought I'd gone crazy!
She has suggested I go on the mirena coil but I'm unsure as to what to start on gel or patches. I have read so much on both but not sure what is best.
My main concern for me at the moment is brain fog and no libido which I'm hoping will return somewhat when I start Hrt.
What is your preference - I also do crossfit  6 days a week so was worried in case the patch came off. 

[pastie supper]

Hi Snowy,
I tried three different patches before getting the gel, big difference between them. The 50 strength patches did very little, I went directly from them to Oestrogel and couldn't take more than one pump at first, it is waaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy stronger than Evorel or Estradot when applied to my body, it worked for me.

Applied to you it might be different, my point is they are very very different from each other so you might need to try both to know which works best for you.

[Snowy78]

Thank you some of my friends use the gel and said its great. Apparently there's a shortage of gel too my doctor said 
As you say might be a bit of a journey to find the best solution for me x

[sheila99]

It's really just personal preference, most people are fine on either. Gel is easier to alter the dose but more of a faff. I've used both and prefer patches, changed to avoid the mountain of plastic waste from gel bottles but it's so nice not to be slathered in gel twice a day (on 100mg).

[Tinkerbell]

I use Oestrogel with the Mirena and have had no supply issues with it but I do use an independant pharmacy. I prefer patches but I react to the adhesive in them after about a week so gel it is!

[Mary G]

I prefer gel because I find it to be stronger, more effective, more dose flexible and easier to use.  I found the patches didn't always stick properly which led to an inconsistent dose plus they left horrible marks.

[Jett]

I prefer the patches (Evorel 50) - but everyone truly is different.  I had high hopes about being able to apply a daily dose of gel and thought that would be more consistent. For me I think I was absorbing (or not absorbing) it strangely so I was ok for the first few weeks then felt pretty awful.

I run and cycle with the patches on and haven’t had a problem with them coming off. The only time I have had sticking issues was when it was really warm in the summer which is another reason I wanted to try the gel.

Hopefully you will find what works for you and you feel the better for it whatever you decide. xxx

[HaRuHaRu]

I preferred how I felt on the patch - I felt more like my old self but I had burning skin reactions to the patch so switched to gel and as much as I like the convenience of putting in on and not worrying about hot baths and swimming with a patch - I much prefer how I felt on the patch over the gel - either I absorb better from the patch or it has more of a continuous dosing which suits me better. It's very individual though.

[Hurdity]

For me patches all the way. I've been using them for 15 years apart from a 3 month foray into Sandrena gel. They are so convenient and I've never had a problem with absorption - but if you are one of those women who does, then gel may be better. For years I used Estradot and then was put onto various others during the severe shortages a few years ago, and now happily settled on Evorel which I am sure (for me) gives me more oestrogen than Estradot.

I don't care about the marks - if you can be bothered then wipe them off with baby oil or rubbing alcohol but I don't do this every time    - but maybe younger women might want to!

Like others - I really wouldn't want to have to spend time applying largeish quantities of gel to my body every day and Sandrena remains sticky for some time. Yes I apply T gel every morning but just go onto the computer for 10 mins while it dries on my foot (!).

Hurdity x