Estrogel question

[GetOffTheTableMabel]

I’m an HRT beginner (about 5 weeks now). Am 48, still having regular periods but definitely perimenopausal. I have always suffered with menstrual migraine which has worsened considerably recently and have been prescribed Estrogel and Utrogestan so that my dosage can be changed easily. So far, so good. No dramatic improvement although sleep better & am less hot & bothered.

I was wondering though - does anyone know how long it takes your body to fully absorb the Estrogel? For instance, if I apply my 2 pumps at 7.30 am and then either get sweaty from running in tight leggings or perhaps go swimming at about 11am, will I end up without the full dose? I don’t have regular patterns to my day. It’s easy for me to consistently apply the gel at the same time when I get up but, exercise has to fit in around other things and could happen anytime.

I know that ultimately, patches could be the answer, but until we determine the best dose, I want to be applying the gel appropriately.

It's on the leaflet inside the box.

It says avoid showering or bathing for 1 hour after applying. And the same for skin to skin contact with another person (that means the areas where the gel has been applied, not all your skin.)

Once it's dried, it ought not to make any difference if you get sweaty but don't shower before an hour.

Thanks. I did read the leaflet but I wasn’t completely sure that I could interpret that as meaning that after an hour the dose was fully absorbed. I don’t know why but I just feel slightly anxious about getting it right.

Try not to worry. The level builds up in your system over weeks and months, so it's not like some 'drugs' where you have to take the dose at set times or they won't be effective. Once you have used it for some time, it doesn't matter too much if one dose is missed or not fully absorbed. Every woman will absorb is slightly differently anyway due to having different skin , how thinly it's spread etc, so it's not critical. As long as you are getting enough to ease your symptoms most of the time, that's what counts.

Althernative is to put it on at bedtime

I don't think it matters what time you put it on. I personally wait until I've had a shower and potter round for a few minutes with a towel round me whilst the gels dries. That can be anytime of the day depending on what I am doing.

Where do you all put your gel? My gynaecologist laughed when I said I put it on my thighs!!

It's meant to be on a "fatty" area - suggest inner thigh

That's what I thought and my thighs are fatty, fatty, fat, fat!

Bicep/ tricep area whilst I am walking around with a towel around me. Dries very quickly.