Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Dandelion on April 19, 2020, 10:34:32 PM
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I am due to put on my patch tomorrow, monday and have a few questions, sorry if I am repeating any questions from previous posts.
1)I use 75mcg patch - currently change twice a week. I've managed to buy oestrogel 80g plus 0.06% privately online, how many pumps do I need?
2)How often do I need to apply the gel to match the equivalent of 75mcg patch?
2) Some women say that the gel takes a few days to get in the system, but, as I am going straight from patches to gel, can I be confident that the gel will be absorbed straight into my system as I will be taking the last patch off tomorrow and applying the gel straight away.
3)The sticker says 2 pumps per day but this confuses me as I am on 75mcg patch, so is 3 pumps ok?
4)I apply my patch in the evening, will it be ok to apply the gel in the evenings also?
5)Once canister is used up is it safe to dispose of in the normal household wheelie bin?
Thank you ladies
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I was on a 75 patch and when I swooped to Estrogel I needed 3 pumps, I started with 2 and the following week upped that to the 3.
You can use it at what time suits you, , I put them in the house waste wheelie bin.
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Hi
Yes 3 pumps equates to 75mcg patch.
There has been some chat about Oestrogel being a bit weaker in the new bottles. If you find this just try another pump of gel. Let your symptoms guide you.
You can apply on inner thigh or outer arm and shoulder, either all at one or split the dose am and pm.
Good luck x
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i?m doing the opposite thinking of changing from gel to patch it's a pain for me keep applying it daily with side effects to x
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Hi thanks ladies for answering my question.
One got miseed, Some women say that the gel takes a few days to get in the system, but, as I am going straight from patches to gel, can I be confident that the gel will be absorbed straight into my system as I will be taking the last patch off tomorrow and applying the gel straight away.
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I can't remember to be honest, but i was having trouble with absorption of the patches so wasn't getting alot of symptom relief.
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I think you?ll need to tinker until you find your right dose. On patches 75mcg was too much for me but on gel I sway between 3-4 pumps per day and tolerate it well x
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I think you?ll need to tinker until you find your right dose. On patches 75mcg was too much for me but on gel I sway between 3-4 pumps per day and tolerate it well x
I don't want to go that high with the gel, there is new research out that says high dose oestrogen increases risk of breast cancer.
I put on my gel last night, dried quick, felt ok, but this morning realised I forgot to take off my old patch, so will see how tonight goes.
I used 3 pumps on my upper arms and shoulders.
Another reason I don't want to up the gel is because my GP reduced my patches to 75 as i was having abnormal bleeds.
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"I don't want to go that high with the gel, there is new research out that says high dose oestrogen increases risk of breast cancer."
May I ask which new research you're reffering to?
Alicess
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"I don't want to go that high with the gel, there is new research out that says high dose oestrogen increases risk of breast cancer."
May I ask which new research you're reffering to?
Alicess
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/aug/29/breast-cancer-risk-from-using-hrt-is-twice-what-was-thought
I hope it's wrong, it's not based on the million women study from 2002, one university professor calls it a "tour de force"
I would love to be proved wrong and for someone to provide info to dispute it.
PS daily use of gel is a bit of a pain.
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Hi
I wonder if it's based on high oestradoil levels? I take 6-7 pumps, my levels seem to stick around 350pml so I don't think I'm absorbing it very well, hence being desperate to get back on the patches.
The gel is a bit off a pain when you need a lot. My thighs are covered and I've had to start putting in on my upper arms too which I was trying to avoid (too close to the breast are for my liking).
I wish the manufacturers would pull their finger out with the patches. They could sell millions of them!!!
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Hi
I wonder if it's based on high oestradoil levels? I take 6-7 pumps, my levels seem to stick around 350pml so I don't think I'm absorbing it very well, hence being desperate to get back on the patches.
The gel is a bit off a pain when you need a lot. My thighs are covered and I've had to start putting in on my upper arms too which I was trying to avoid (too close to the breast are for my liking).
I wish the manufacturers would pull their finger out with the patches. They could sell millions of them!!!
6-7 pumps wow, that's a lot
I read on here that applying to arms and shoulders helps absorption better than thighs.
http://www.estrogel.com/how-to-use-estrogel
I think if you apply it to inner arms, it would touch your boobs, I apply it to my outer arms.
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Hi Dandelion,
There are some ( long) treads aboutt his latest research:
https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,45086.msg725148.html#msg725148
https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,45155.msg726087.html#msg726087
It's been disputed by prominent specialists and oncologists,.
I hope this will give you some reassurrance.
Alicess x
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Hi Dandelion,
There are some ( long) treads aboutt his latest research:
https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,45086.msg725148.html#msg725148
https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,45155.msg726087.html#msg726087
It's been disputed by prominent specialists and oncologists,.
I hope this will give you some reassurrance.
Alicess x
Thanks Alicess for the links
I had night sweats on 2 pumps last night and a bit of discharge todayy but I hope to be sweat free and discharge/bleed free in the future
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The fact I need more gel than patches suggests I don't absorb the gel as well which then might mean my levels aren't so high?
I don't know about the research you say BUT something I don't do, is apply the gel above my waist as I was led to believe it shouldn't go near breasts x
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The fact I need more gel than patches suggests I don't absorb the gel as well which then might mean my levels aren't so high?
I don't know about the research you say BUT something I don't do, is apply the gel above my waist as I was led to believe it shouldn't go near breasts x
I apply it on my outer arms and shoulders, some ladies on here say applying to thighs has led to poorer absorption.
Yeah don't apply near breasts or genital area.
I dunno why not but I keep reading not to apply near these areas so I stick to outer arms and shoulders.
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Hmm my patches were on thighs and so is my gel but now my gel is near vagina as I thought a bit of extra down there won't hurt with the old VA (on vagifem daily too but still so prone to UTIs)
it's all about what suits YOU, several ladies could all have differing opinions but go with how you feel on whatever method you choose, as long as you are sensible which we know you are x
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I have to say I prefer patches to gel, they've always given me better symptom control x
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Hmm my patches were on thighs and so is my gel but now my gel is near vagina as I thought a bit of extra down there won't hurt with the old VA (on vagifem daily too but still so prone to UTIs)
it's all about what suits YOU, several ladies could all have differing opinions but go with how you feel on whatever method you choose, as long as you are sensible which we know you are x
hi I don't know why but you're not supposed to put gel near the vagina or the breasts.
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Hmm my patches were on thighs and so is my gel but now my gel is near vagina as I thought a bit of extra down there won't hurt with the old VA (on vagifem daily too but still so prone to UTIs)
it's all about what suits YOU, several ladies could all have differing opinions but go with how you feel on whatever method you choose, as long as you are sensible which we know you are x
hi I don't know why but you're not supposed to put gel near the vagina or the breasts.
Omg really ???
I'm going to have to read up
Thank you x
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Hmm my patches were on thighs and so is my gel but now my gel is near vagina as I thought a bit of extra down there won't hurt with the old VA (on vagifem daily too but still so prone to UTIs)
it's all about what suits YOU, several ladies could all have differing opinions but go with how you feel on whatever method you choose, as long as you are sensible which we know you are x
hi I don't know why but you're not supposed to put gel near the vagina or the breasts.
Omg really ???
I'm going to have to read up
Thank you x
Good idea reading up on it's a good idea.
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Hi, I'm on 2 pumps gel and 100mg utrogestan daily, I apply gel to outer arms. I have been on this regime for 7 months now at age 63. Also use Vagifem every three days for VA but maybe need more??
For a few mornings since last week I have woken up with hot flushes which seemed strange, but no more during day....and can't say I have ever felt like a new woman on this regime to be honest, still anxious and with aches and pains. I was also on one pump Tostran 2% gel every day but that seemed to give me more hairs on my face so I stopped that?? Not sure if I should have??
My gynae said I could increase to 3 pumps Oestrogel if I wanted, but still never know if am absorbing enough??
I would like to try a patch equivalent when they are available, anyone know which patch is equivalent to the gel/utrogestan regime please? He did suggest FemSeven conti, anyone used this and had good things to say about it?
Thank you, stay safe out there xxx.