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[buffy26]

Hi ladies, has this bothered any of you and how have you navigated it?

I have very dry skin on my upper arms, despite regular exfoliation I appear to be not absorbing Oestrogen gel sufficiently. I appreciate on the inner upper arm is not advised due to the proximity of the breasts, but could it be safe to apply on the wrist to elbow in the inner arm? as skin is thinner and smoother in that part of my arm. I have looked through here to find examples of alternative locations, some have mentioned calves and even the stomach. i also called the manufacturer with them responding that anything out of the package leaflet guidelines is something they cannot give advice on for specific individuals which is understandable and then I pressed them for any research they had conducted generally, but that also was not forthcoming. I cannot use patches and have been told the risks of oral HRT would be too risky for me due to medical reasons.

[CLKD]

MayB U need to get a referral to a dedicated menopause clinic - not a gynaecologist - for advice?

It may be that exfoliation may make matters worse in that the skin may form a protective barrier?  How long have U been using the preparation and which symptom would U like to ease first?

[Dotty]

Inner thighs is another suggested area in the advice leaflet.

I’ve also seen buttocks and lower back suggested, but these would be off licence.

[buffy26]

MayB U need to get a referral to a dedicated menopause clinic - not a gynaecologist - for advice?

It may be that exfoliation may make matters worse in that the skin may form a protective barrier?  How long have U been using the preparation and which symptom would U like to ease first?

Its basically about getting better absorption so that all the usual symptoms of menopause can be better managed. I have been on HRT for about three years and have struggled to get to decent relief, blood results show the levels are not in line with the 4 pumps a day and I have recently had a 5 day bleed. My GP is a menopause specialist but is unable to suggest more product as 4 is the maximum dose on the NHS

[buffy26]

Inner thighs is another suggested area in the advice leaflet.

I’ve also seen buttocks and lower back suggested, but these would be off licence.

It would be good to hear from those who are applying to those areas and how they go with that,maybe it was for the patches.
 I am using 2 pumps on the inner thighs too, I wonder if I could do all the 4 pumps on the thigh, but split it between the morning and evening application. I used to do one application on the arms in morning and  one in the evening on the thighs, but then decided it maybe night sweats that were reducing the absorbtion of the night dose. I am keen to avoid swapping to another product again!

[Gnatty]

Lenzetto was devised to be sprayed on the inside lower arm so I can't see why you couldn't try there. I sometimes do this myself - as you say skin is a bit smoother less aged there! I put my bra on first and usually some sort of vest top so there is no risk of it going anywhere it shouldn't.

[buffy26]

Lenzetto was devised to be sprayed on the inside lower arm so I can't see why you couldn't try there. I sometimes do this myself - as you say skin is a bit smoother less aged there! I put my bra on first and usually some sort of vest top so there is no risk of it going anywhere it shouldn't.

Ah good to know Gnatty, thanks for that!

[joziel]

It's worth keeping in mind the chance of contamination of blood draw locations if you use your arms. I'd recommend using your thighs. I currently get 6 pumps on my thighs every night (3 pumps per thigh!).

[buffy26]

Thank you Joziel I will try that. I know you have struggled for some time with absorption. Good to know it’s working ok with covering the whole thigh area in one dose as I did wonder if it was too much in one dose. Id rather experiment than switch to a new product. What have your blood readings been like , are they more stable now?

[Katherine]

I use 2 pumps on my inner thighs in the morning and last year added in one extra pump, in the evening, on the outer thigh. The extra pump made a big difference so I think it’s all being absorbed. My gp told me that inner thigh is better for oestrogen absorption and outer thigh for testogel. I also avoid oily shower gels or lotions in the areas where I apply the gels.

[joziel]

My 3 pumps on each leg go: inner thigh (raise leg and rotate foot outwards and then on that bit in front of you!), outer thigh/lower buttock, and back of thigh (put foot up on bed and apply to back of leg)

I'm also on 300mcg of Estradot patches, because I couldn't absorb more than 6 pumps of gel. So far on 200mcg patches plus the 6 pumps of gel, I tested at 880pmol (felt the best I've felt - still minimal symptoms) and then I tested again a couple months later and was at 650pmol with the same dosage. And symptoms coming back.    So I increased the patches to 300mcg and the 6 pumps of gel and I've just yesterday done another Randox Tasso test so will see maybe tomorrow where I'm at now. As I still have neuro symptoms, I am hoping my E still isn't back at 880 as that gives me a reason for the symptoms (although what we do about that, I don't know, as I've tried everything to get up to 800 ish.) If my E is back up there and I feel like this, I'd be more worried...

[buffy26]

I use 2 pumps on my inner thighs in the morning and last year added in one extra pump, in the evening, on the outer thigh. The extra pump made a big difference so I think it’s all being absorbed. My gp told me that inner thigh is better for oestrogen absorption and outer thigh for testogel. I also avoid oily shower gels or lotions in the areas where I apply the gels.

Thats great, thank you for sharing. Testogel is next on my radar,  just wondering if my age will be deemed an issue there too!

[buffy26]

My 3 pumps on each leg go: inner thigh (raise leg and rotate foot outwards and then on that bit in front of you!), outer thigh/lower buttock, and back of thigh (put foot up on bed and apply to back of leg)

I'm also on 300mcg of Estradot patches, because I couldn't absorb more than 6 pumps of gel. So far on 200mcg patches plus the 6 pumps of gel, I tested at 880pmol (felt the best I've felt - still minimal symptoms) and then I tested again a couple months later and was at 650pmol with the same dosage. And symptoms coming back.    So I increased the patches to 300mcg and the 6 pumps of gel and I've just yesterday done another Randox Tasso test so will see maybe tomorrow where I'm at now. As I still have neuro symptoms, I am hoping my E still isn't back at 880 as that gives me a reason for the symptoms (although what we do about that, I don't know, as I've tried everything to get up to 800 ish.) If my E is back up there and I feel like this, I'd be more worried...

I have to admire your perseverance on this, Ive not heard of the Randox test, will look into that. My GP says she is happy as long as I am at 200 so as I am provided by NHS thats all I can expect. As my testosterone is way below the normal levels, I think this is the key to feeling better. I have achey groin and hips and stiffness but I also have another medical issue , so trying to know what is what is a challenge! Thank you for explaining how you apply your gel, sounds like you have it down to a fine art!

[joziel]

Hmm, buffy you really shouldn't be happy being at 200. 270 is the bare minimum for bone health. There's no point taking HRT if you're not taking enough for cardiovascular protection, dementia prevention, bone preservation etc etc. There are research papers you can show to that effect, but really you can ask for an increase and make up a symptom or two to get yourself a higher dose is probably easier. You want to be in the 300s at least really.