Experiences of HRT oestrogen patches compared with spray or gel

[YonderlyYonderly]

If you're on HRT, do you take your oestrogen via patches, spray, or gel? I'm on patches but am thinking of switching because I honestly hate the sticky mess they leave behind. And in the summer you have this unsightly patch on your leg!

Is anyone here on either spray or gel who wouldn't mind sharing their experiences? Positive or negative? Thank you!

I was allergic to the glue on the patches so had to give them up. I didn’t get on with the gel as it took ages to dry and made me feel sticky. Now using the spray and it’s so quick and easy. It’s made a big difference

Hiya, I decided patches were way more convenient and less hassle so opted for those initially, but they kept falling off all the time and I disliked the sticky residue as well so I switched to gel, it's been fine, I find it tedious waiting a couple of minutes to get dressed after applying it but I have got used to it really.

I use the gel, I refused patches as I loathe anything sticky.
It doesn’t take too long to dry, I usually apply it before I brush my teeth and cleanse my face.
By the time I put deodorant on and underwear, it’s dry. I also apply it using the cap, saves me from getting it on my hands and it smooths out pretty well too.

The gel dries really quickly if applied thinly. Takes about a minute

I changed from gel to patches and am far happier. You only have to change them twice a week instead of applying gel and having to wait for it to dry, wash your hands and not touch anyone for an hour or whatever, every day. The patches are also much more convenient if you are travelling - one small box compared to however many bottles.

I use Estradot now which are tiny compared to Evorel that I used before; 3cm x 4cm compared to 6cm x 6cm for the 100mcg ones.

I get a bit of sticky gunk round the edges but it is easy enough to pick off in the shower or to use oil. I get swim and get sweaty during exercise and don't have a problem with them coming off. I don't use moisturising shower gel or body lotion.

I changed because the gel (eostrogel) formula had changed and wasn't as effective as before.

Patches (transdermal HRT) have fewer medical side effects than oral HRT as the hormones bypass your liver meaning you are at far less risk of blood clots/dvt. I’d much rather cope with sticky, itchy skin than worry about more serious side effects of the tablets.

I found I had quite heavy bleeding on the estrodot patches. I’m on the lenzetto spray now and it’s super convenient. Dries properly in a minute. Doesn’t get on your hands. It is working really well for me.

I bought a cheap spray thing on amazon to remove the residue. I only need a single sheet of loo paper and a quick spray and it comes off immediately.
I used to use gel but it takes ages to dry ime

Estrogel here for just about a year love it. Apply after the shower, wash hands, brush teeth (wrapped in a towel) and the jobs a goodun. Also makes my upper arms where it is applied lovely and smooth.

Used patches, hated them (sticky stuff all over me). Switched to gel, and get on with it really well -- and also found it is more effective.

Ha, yes, I noticed my arms yesterday! I used to have gooseflesh on my upper arms and don't any more. Win/win!

Im new to taking the gel. Cant touch anyone for an hour? Did i miss that bit?

I'm scared to use the gel incase my daughter cuddles me and gets affected by it. I've got the patches

Yes! This wasn't said to me. I brush my teeth straight after applying the gel.

I was pondering changing to the gel or spray after losing my patch a few hours ago because I’d been sat in the pool for too long. Stupid question but when are you all applying it? I’m up at 4am for work so would I do it then or would I be better off doing it in the evening after a shower? I’m probably overthinking it but if I applied it in the morning I was thinking would it wash away when I have a shower in the late afternoon/early evening?

I’ve been using the patches for nearly 10 years. There are wipes available that remove the glue reside, and I stick them on my bum, not on my leg, so they’re never visible. I don’t fancy the gel. You have to do every day and wait for it to dry before dressing. Cba

I've used them all over the last decade!

Started off with gel, then patches, then spray, back to patches and now on oral HRT.
Patches (Estrdot) were the best.

Unfortunately I couldn't always get them and was moved to Everol which I didn't absorb and had an allergic reaction to the adhesive.

Ended up on oral HRT which I have found much more effective then any transdermal HRT.

I prefer the gel. You do have to wait for it to dry and not let people touch it etc, but the annoying left over sticky marks really pissed me off. Having to put them only in the underwear region if you're going swimming, remembering days in advance that you're going swimming, putting them in a different place each time... they would also leave dry patches on my skin

I use Lenzetto spray, 3 pumps on my forearm everyday and it dries in seconds.

i switched from patches to gel and it's an absolute game changer IMO! I'm a sweaty sort of person who does a fair amount of exercise and the patches rarely lasted as long as they were meant to so I was always having to replace them. Then they left marks on skin which lasted for weeks to the point I was running out of skin to put them on! Particularly a pain on summer holidays when you're wanting to spend large parts of the day in swimwear or short shorts.

I use Oestrogel. In the morning I apply it to both arms separately, rub it in and it dries pretty much immediately. Brush my teeth and I’m good to go. No stickiness or residue. Just can’t shower for 2 hours I think afterwards.

I use the spray, no issues, but I did gain weight. My problem is I forget to take the progesterone so I may need to ask to switch to patches as sounds easier.

i tried gel then went onto patches which I found a pain to be honest. I do not know if i have funny skin or something they did not stick that well. often found them in bed in the morning. in the end i went back to gel which to me is much easier

Wait, you can't touch anyone for an hour??! Including yourself? Is my ds going to grow a fanny?

I've only had the gel and pessaries because I am allergic to most glues (plasters, tape etc), so didn't want to even try the patches.

I put the gel on straight after a shower each day and that is literally it. Seems to have been working well, have recently had the dose upped. Haven't had a UTI since starting the pessaries 2+yrs ago.