Max amount of Oestrogel

[Frostytiger87]

Hi , I’ve been applying continuous Oestrogel four pumps for a number of months but through my estrogen blood test have been told I’m not absorbing it well my menopause Dr has suggested Everol 100 or increase to 4.5 pumps
I thought that four pumps was the max dose to take
Has anyone else increased from four pumps ?

Four pumps a day ? Eg two in the morning, two evening ?
I am on two a day, I think that is standard, so four sounds quite a lot. Do they have any idea why you aren’t absorbing it ?

The pack says 2 is usual then makes reference to ‘if 4 pumps has been prescribed’.

I started on 2, then upped to 3 when some symptoms returned. Occasionally do 4 if I am feeling jittery or having sleeping problems.

4.5 pumps sounds odd & I didn’t think blood tests were recommended, I thought it and dosage was prescribed based on symptoms.

Do you do all the pumps at once or do 2 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon?

I do two - when I went up to 4 I put on weight on my boobs and hips! So I decreased it again.

I do it all in the morning two on upper arms and two on my thighs
I’m just wondering of anyone is on more than four pumps

I am absorbing it but it’s not enough so the memo Dr has suggested patches

Are you applying it correctly @Frostytiger87?

Clean, dry skin- so lotions and ideally no shower gel etc on the area beforehand. (It used to say this on the leaflet.)

Apply over a large area on your inner thigh. (I use 1 pump over 2 inner thighs and spread it from top of thigh to knee.)

If you are using upper arms apply to the back of your arm (the bingo wing area!) and right down to your elbow from your shoulder.

You need to spread it/ rub in but not so much it disappears or all you will have done is rub it onto your hands which don't actually absorb much.

Allow to dry before dressing.

Four pumps is the same as 3mgs and it's a high dose.

Thanks jinglinghellsbells but yes I do apply if the way in which you described but it’s not absorbing enough so the Dr has recommended Everol 100
Tbh I really don’t wish to increase to 4,5

I'm just wondering why they are testing your levels anyway?

I've never ever had mine tested (used gel for years).

Is it because the dose isn't working and you still have symptoms?

Op do you have any symptoms? Because if you don’t, there isn’t a need to increase.
Why are you having blood tests?

Sorry if I'm being dense @JinglingHellsBells but how do you make sure the skin is clean if avoiding shower gel etc beforehand...?

I decided to take HRT to protect my bones & general health . My symptoms were painful joints and lack of sleep . My own Gp doesn’t know much about HRT so I found a menopause Dr who orders bloods to ensure that the hrt is absorbing and doing it’s job

@inininsomnia

Sorry if I'm being dense *@JinglingHellsBells* but how do you make sure the skin is clean if avoiding shower gel etc beforehand...?

I'm not sure what you mean.

Not everyone has a shower in the morning or at bedtime when they apply the gel.

And it's about not using shower products - it used to say this on the leaflet. Soap and water is fine.

@Frostytiger87

I decided to take HRT to protect my bones & general health . My symptoms were painful joints and lack of sleep . My own Gp doesn’t know much about HRT so I found a menopause Dr who orders bloods to ensure that the hrt is absorbing and doing it’s job

So do you still have those symptoms? My consultant prefers to go by symptoms for the dose. Have you not had any improvement on the dose you are using?

To be honest I just had achy joints and couldn’t sleep , I’d lie in bed every night awake and it was killing me . My sleep has improved & my achy joints . Lack of estrogen can have a huge impact on general health which is why I started HRT
I also have older relatives that are on it one of which had a nasty fall through no fault of her own and didn’t break a bone the doctors were amazed but she swears that HRT has kept her bones stronger than what they would have been
I’m quite happy on my gel dosage ok it’s four pumps the highest licensed dose but I’m not keen on increasing it again