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[Gnatty]

For those of you who use this, which formulation are you being dispensed at the moment? Last summertime I was given Oestrodose which didn't seem to work as well so I switched to Sandrena but I'm sick of all the silly sachets and lengthy drying time. So I just wondered if the proper stuff was back in stock again. x

[chopsuey]

It depends what you mean by the 'proper stuff'. It's still being dispensed in the new shape i.e cylindrical bottles, which is when all this upset started back in 2023. There was talk about them using the original conical shape again this year but I've not had any yet. I get Oestrodose from time to time but mainly the new shape bottle, which doesn't dispense accurately. I don't think the actual gel will ever revert back to how it used to be though.

I have got used to the current stuff - I just weigh each dose.  I stuck with it after all the discussion on here about Sandrena taking ages to dry and the equivalent of 4 pumps being an unlicensed dose.   

[Gnatty]

Thanks chopsuey. Yeah the different shape bottles was less of a problem - as you say you can measure it out. It was just the Oestrodose didn't seem to suit. Tbf I guess I didn't give it long enough to see if it settles down... So you find you are ok with the Oestrodose?

[AmandaJR]

Hi Gnatty,
I received Oestradose for the first time on 30/01/2025, I haven’t received Oestrogel since. Luckily I’ve not noticed a difference.
I was thinking of switching to Sandrena as I thought it dried quicker, this isn’t the case?
I’m on 8 pumps a day and it’s taking about 15 mins to dry.

[chopsuey]

Thanks chopsuey. Yeah the different shape bottles was less of a problem - as you say you can measure it out. It was just the Oestrodose didn't seem to suit. Tbf I guess I didn't give it long enough to see if it settles down... So you find you are ok with the Oestrodose?

Yes, I've only had Oestrodose a few times but I couldn't feel any difference between that and the new shape bottles. I do wonder if I'm less sensitive to variations in product now I'm a few years post meno. I actually found a couple of bottles of the original stuff, which was still in date recently. I wondered after using them if I would feel worse switching back but I've been fine. 

There was a discussion on here recently about the oestrodial in Oestrodose being a different chemical format to that in Oestrogel - anhydrous compared to hemihydrate and whether this affected absorbancy, so it's quite plausible that you felt a difference. We are all different how we respond to stuff, especially hormones!

[chopsuey]

Hi Gnatty,
I received Oestradose for the first time on 30/01/2025, I haven’t received Oestrogel since. Luckily I’ve not noticed a difference.
I was thinking of switching to Sandrena as I thought it dried quicker, this isn’t the case?
I’m on 8 pumps a day and it’s taking about 15 mins to dry.

Hi AmandaJR

Am guessing you split the 8 pumps over twice a day? Otherwise that is a lot of gel to absorb. It probably takes me 10-15 mins for it to dry fully but a bit quicker if the room is warm.

[Gnatty]

Yes, for me Sandrena takes longer, it feels tacky for even half an hour sometimes. For both though I think how warm your skin is  and how recently you showered also affect absorption speed. As chopsuey said, if you are not already doing so I would try splitting your dose x

[AmandaJR]

Hi Gnatty & Chopsuey, thanks for the info. Yes it’s a pain waiting for it to dry, I apply after a shower to my whole thigh and bum cheeks then prep breakfast etc whilst waiting to dry. I’ll try splitting it from tomorrow.
I’m having an HRT review on Tuesday, I’m seeing more cost cutting processes at my surgery so expecting the dose to be reduced.
Thanks for sharing about Sandrena drying time, I’ll stick with Oestradose.

[chopsuey]

AmandaJR - any reason why you don't apply it to your upper outer arms? Some people on here have said they feel they absorb it better from there and it is the manufacturer's recommendation. My previous specialist was involved in the original Oestrogel trials and she stressed with me how important it was to apply the gel according to the intructions, otherwise it is just not so effective.

[AmandaJR]

Never really thought about using my arms, I think GP told me to apply to thighs. I’ll give it a go in the morning, anything that reduces drying time is worth a shot!
Thanks Chopsuey!

[chopsuey]

I would do outer upper arms and inner thighs, as advised on the leaflet, splitting it twice a day if you are continuing with 8 pumps and see how you get on. Otherwise the skin just gets saturated if you are applying  too much in the same area, as it forms a reservoir under the skin.

[sheila99]

Outer arms are fine, just not inner arms where it might rub off onto the breasts.

[AmandaJR]

I’ve just put one pump on each outer arm and it is taking a long time to dry. I’m quite small so don’t have much arm space to start with, can’t spread it as thin as on the thighs. I’m thinking a 100 patch and four pumps would be easier but I see there are supply problems.

Gnatty, just collected my prescription and it’s Oestrogel.

[chopsuey]

Maybe try one pump split across two upper outer arms and the rest split between your thighs and see how that goes?