Started Oestrogel - how fast does it work?

[thecatsmiaow]

Hi gals,

I've got a question about Oestrogel and how fast it can work in perimenopause. I have had a nightmare 7 years or so. I'm 48, had awfully heavy periods about 5 years ago, they slowly got lighter and lighter and as they did I got fatter, more miserable, more anxious and paranoid and more depressed and perma exhausted.

I really thought it was depression because my (male) GP kept saying I was too young for menopause. I have been to therapy and stopped drinking, which has been great actually.

My hair has started thinning around the front and my neck is so crepey and wrinkly suddenly!

My hairdresser said, it's perimenopause and after a lot of pushing with the doc I have finally got the combo Louise Newson prescribes, Oestrogel and Ultrogestan. Started Monday.

WOW, I feel SO MUCH better already! not nearly as tired, calmer and happier and less ragey. My skin on my neck feels soft and smooth this morning, not rough and dry. Yesterday I wasn't craving sweet snacks and I didn't spend all day grazing on sugar and carbs in a bid to get some energy. I can't believe it?

For info, I was JUST at the hot flush stage and still having periods but I think they're now grinding to a halt, I was getting a flash of anger if provoked and having hot pangs of fury all over my body! No night sweats, and mostly sleeping OK, I have gone through stages of waking up at 4am and being shredded all the next day though.

Is this possible to feel so improved so fast or is it all psychosomatic because I've finally identified a problem and taken steps to solve it?

Any woman reading this with the above set of symptoms, push to try HRT!

Drs say it takes up to 3 months for the most benefits but some women do find improvement with things like sleep and flushes within a week (I did.) I'd say you are feeling better as you've got something to help but in 2 days any improvement will be minimal.

Yes, Dr Newson prescibes that combo but so do many other good doctors- I've been on HRT for 12 years (Oestrogel) and for 7 of those using gel and Utrogestan. And I've still got a wrinkly neck

I find putting it on is a bit like having a coffee or a glass of wine - ahhhh. But that's probably psychological! I benefitted immediately but did adjust the dose after I realised I wasn't quite right still.

I noticed a difference the next day (with Evorel patches), but the symptoms which improved weren't actually the ones I'd put down to peri-menopause particularly - I have fibromyalgia and a balance disorder, so had assumed my total brain fog was mainly due to that. But no, turns out two days of oestrogen was enough to bring some brain back .

Lots of things did improve more gradually though.

Personally I noticed some differences - esp in physical symptoms - very fast, certainly within a week. Well done for pushing for treatment too!

Thank you all very much! I can't wait to see what has changed after 3 months!

I noticed a difference within a week. My energy levels jumped to a 20-year high. I also have fibro along with Transverse Myelitis (and a few other conditions) which were causing massive fatigue issues.

I'm just about to try Utrogeston as my patches are unavailable. I don't know how well this regime will suit me as Provera daily at 2.5mg for 3 out of 4 weeks was making me suicidal (as have other hormonal meds like the Pill).

The flushes died an almost complete death on all forms of HRT. This is also huge for me as getting even slightly hot was knocking me off my feet.

I hope you find it works for you but don't give up if it doesn't. There are miserably few preparations of HRT available but I'm sure one will work great for you (and others thinking of trying it).

agentnully Wow, that's great that it worked fi you so well. I'lm so sorry about your energy levels, I can relate, I have been feeling like someone dropped a bag of cement powder behind my eyes! Am improving for def. thanks for your response, I feel better now.

really hope that Provera works well for you x

Did you get the little sachets? Ive been on it a week but only because my patches werent available. I think I will stick to the gel. Im putting it on before bed.

Within a few days I felt a remarkable difference. 2 years later, I’m a lot happier than I was.

I’ve just picked up my first prescription for Oestrogel today. Please can anyone tell me do I rub it in or just apply it on the skin? It doesn’t make it too clear in the leaflet.

Does it take long to dry? Do I need to get up earlier in the morning to allow for drying time before getting dressed? Thanks.

I’ve been on femoston conti but stopped because it was causing periods complete with PMT which at nearly 60 I can well do without. Am hoping this in combination with utrogestan tablets will stop the constant flushes, hair shedding and aching. I’ve only been off the femoston for 6 weeks and feel and look awful.

Takes about 5 minutes to dry. Does delay things a bit in the morning but I have a whole routine based around it now!

Thanks Gorilla. Is it rubbed in or just spread on the skin? Is it ok to apply it right after a shower if the skin is properly dry?

ThickSock I rub it in otherwise it leaves a sticky residue.

Thanks Sunshine the leaflet seems a bit vague and I couldn’t work out what needs to be done.