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Original poster

To stop Oestrogel

35 replies

hellno123 · 28/01/2025 07:22

I've been prescribed oestrogel along with Utrogestan and I am thinking of stopping it. One of the reasons is weight gain, I can't afford to be putting on anymore weight and a lot of people seem to gain weight on this. Also it's making me more irritable and jittery. I've been on it for 2 weeks and take one pump of the gel. Anyone had positive experiences on this. Haven't posted in the menopause forum as it doesn't seem to get much traffic. I'm 43

OP posts:
Original poster
hellno123 · 28/01/2025 07:40

I'm glad I posted here. Because I was reading negative reviews. Thank you all. I will keep with it as my night time panic attacks were becoming too much. I think I was on the verge of having a heart attack the amount of times I would jump up out the bed

OP posts:
Almostwelsh · 28/01/2025 07:38

There isn't any limit to the amount of time you can stay on HRT to my knowledge, unless you have a medical issue that makes it unwise.

There is some evidence that it's best to start it within 10 years of your periods stopping.

MILLYmo0se · 28/01/2025 07:38

hellno123 · 28/01/2025 07:34

That's another reason I am thinking to persevere without it is being told I can't have it as I get older. Is there only a limited amount of time you can stay on HRT

No there's no limit to how long you can stay on HRT. If you stop the oestrogen you ll need to stop the utrogeston too, that's the one that's helping you sleep.
I didn't put on any weight, in fact the sugar cravings pretty much stopped

stormacoming · 28/01/2025 07:37

I think you need to give it time to settle down tbh, nothing works straight away. I haven't put weight on from using it.

Original poster
hellno123 · 28/01/2025 07:34

That's another reason I am thinking to persevere without it is being told I can't have it as I get older. Is there only a limited amount of time you can stay on HRT

OP posts:
Almostwelsh · 28/01/2025 07:34

It's probably the progesterone that's helping your sleep

BigDahliaFan · 28/01/2025 07:31

I loved the oestrogel,no night sweats, reduction in insomnia and anxiety. Couldn’t take the progesterone though. That made me horribly depressed. So I switched to a Mirena.

but there are lots of benefits to oestrogen, bone strength, heart protection etc. also if you do stop it look into vaginal pessaries.

overall I think there are enough benefits of it to make it worthwhile trying to find a dose that suits you. You are quite young to be stopping oestrogen.

anyways it’s up to you. I had to come off hrt at 55 after being on it since 43 and I miss it.

Original poster
hellno123 · 28/01/2025 07:30

Thank you for your replies. I was put on it for low mood, irritability and also I was having night time panic attacks. I kept waking up after 5 minutes of being asleep in a state of panic. It does help with my sleep

OP posts:
Almostwelsh · 28/01/2025 07:27

It makes me jittery too. I can manage on a low dose, but I'm 10 years older than you and presumably have much less natural oestrogen in my body.

What made you start taking it? Have those symptoms improved?

Puddypuds · 28/01/2025 07:25

I'm on it, and have been for about six months, and haven't noticed any weight gain other than what has been caused by my own diet (winter, pre Christmas etc). However the plus side - no more hot flushes - has been brilliant.