Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: linz57 on October 06, 2018, 10:35:57 AM
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I've been using the FemSeven Conti patch for almost five years but due to the current unavailability of it I'm having. to change to a new regime. I've opted for the Estrogel/Utrogestan combination and hoping it suits.
Today is the first day of applying the gel and I've noticed the leaflet says apply to inner thighs. I know this may sound ridiculous but I have a large, knotty, varicose vein running up the inside of my left thigh and I'm wondering if it would be unsafe to apply the gel over the vein on that leg. Would it make much difference if I applied it to the top of my thigh does anyone know?
Also, I hope I'm not squirting too much gel out, I've pressed he pump down once but it seems quite a lot of gel. It's spread out to cover the whole of the inside of my right thigh. I imagined it would be a tiny blob 😁
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Each pump is quite a bit and I use 3 daily on same leg just above the knee. I don't think it matters whether it's top thigh, inner or outer so it gives you flexibility on where and some women use arms I think x
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I have quite short legs, 1 pump covers most of my thigh and calf down to my ankle.
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Thanks ladies, that's helpful, I think I'll stick to just my right leg for now. I did read it can be applied to the arms but I don't fancy applying it so close to the breasts.
I'm really hoping the Utro suits me as I've been settled on the FemSeven Conti and the levenorgestrel agreed with me.
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linz57, you don't want to apply the Oestrogel too thinly, as maximum absorption takes place as the gel dries. Spread each pump over an area about the size of a sheet of A5. When I used it, it took about 15 minutes to dry. You can use the back of a desert spoon to spread it so none gets wasted on hands.
JP x
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Thanks Joaniepat, I think I may have spread it too thinly today. I must tell myself it's not a body lotion to cover as much skin as possible ::)
Oh I do hate change with things like this but needs must. Positive thinking...†it will work, it will workâ€😁
Great idea about the spoon too!👍
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I put it on my outer arms and shoulders . Works just fine there x
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Thanks Dotty, do you use alternating sites to stop one particular area becoming saturated? I know with my patches I used to move them from front left to front right of abdomen then from left butt cheek to right one.
Does Estrogel basically have to be applied to a limb rather than the abdomen or butt cheek?
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I change the sites, couple of days inside of thighs, couple of days upper arms. It says you can put it on your shoulders but I don't think there is much tissue to absorb it there do you?
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I put 2 pumps on each shoulder and outer arm every morning so I use the same place every day. Works a treat x
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Cheers dotty nice to know what others do :great:
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The application site information is strange because all the other transdermal HRT types ie all the patches and Sandrena gel say they should be applied to the lower trunk below the waist, not the upper body although the only caveat is on or near breasts. Oestrogel/Oestrodose is the only product which states shoulders and arms too. That being the case it it were me I wouldn't apply to arms or shoulders - but this a personal thing. When I used Sandrena I applied to inner thigh but patches are a bit different - I use butt cheeks but you wouldn't apply gel there as quite difficult to get to.
For maximum stability of oestrogen levels, it's better to be consistent about the area of the body that you apply it to though and just alternate left or right wherever you have chosen, as it will be absorbed differently as the skin is a different thickness and different fat layers etc. (Data from product testing show this). If you are not sensitive to such varations though, then go ahead and use more than one area of the body!
Good luck and hope it works!
Hurdity x
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Hi Linz,
It appears that we are in the same position re lack of Femseven Conti. I swapped to Evorel conti but I am now getting side effects so am looking for another option. Are you going to be using the Utrogestan continuously? Like you, I was settled on Femseven conti so it is very annoying to have to try different things.
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I find it odd that it's inner thigh and/or outer arms/shoulders. I can guess that the inner thigh might have thinner skin or a better blood supply, but then why outer arms? Unless it's just to make sure it doesn't come into contact with the breasts. I have a lump on one inner thigh so I avoid that area just in case. I have use the top of the thigh too and lower outer arm (not keen on freezing for 5 mins with no clothes on so I don't use shoulders). I spread it with one finger but I assumed the gel would be absorbed there too. It says to spread it thinly so I avoid leaving thick bits. I assumed it wouldn't be absorbed so well if it's thick but happy to be corrected. Presumably anywhere hairy will waste it too (so I avoid lower legs!).
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Hi Hurdity, I have to say I don't really fancy using the gel on my upper arms as it's not too far from the breast. Then again, I suppose below the waist isn't either, hmmm. I think I'll stick to upper, outer thighs for now and see how it goes.
Hi sidse, yes I'm going to be using 100mg Utrogestan every day for 25 days and then leaving off for three to see if I get a bleed. I'm a little concerned about using this as I've read it's not very stable and irregular bleeding is common. It's such a pain in the you know what when you're settled on a regime that suits then you have to start faffing about and maybe having cramps, bleeds etc ugh! If I don't get along with this regime I'll have to either try evorel Conti or even FemSeven sequi, ( I'm wary of the progestogen in evorel though). I just hope it's not too long before our FemSeven Conti is back in pharmacies, it was so easy to use, slap a patch on once a week and forget it. Now I'm applying gel in a morning, waiting for it to dry and then trying to remember to take the Utrogestan before bed. It just seems such a bind.
What side effects are you getting with the Evorel Conti ?
Sheila, I was only saying a couple of weeks ago that I loved autumn as it meant an end to constantly shaving my legs . Looks like I'm going to have to continue now ....😆😁
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By the way, this morning I rang Teva, the suppliers of FemSeven Conti and was told it's likely to be at least this time next year when it will be back in the pharmacies. They wouldn't elaborate on why it's out of stock, the woman just said “ we're not stopping making it, there's just none in stock “. Hmmm, well if Teva were producing it , it wouldn't be be out of stock would it ? Something doesn't sound right to me.
Anyway, another idea for those ladies who did use FemSeven Conti.... FemSeven make a 50mcg estradiol patch and that could be used alongside a separate progesterone.
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Hi Linz,
I have heard that there have been problems with the Femseven conti sticking so it might be that they are being redesigned. The side effects that I am getting are tender breasts and just feeling premenstrual - I think that I will have to change to something else, maybe the Mirena and Estradot.
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It's strange as I've always found they stick brilliantly, in fact I struggle to get them off at the end of the week. I suppose it all depends in the individuals skin.
Yes, good idea about the Mirena then at least you'll be getting Levenorgestrel and not a completely different progestogen/progesterone. I'd go for it but tried a coil once before and didn't get along with it.
I hope you're soon sorted sidse.