Changing from gel to patches and hoping for advice or experiences please.

[freckles20]

I've been using oestrogel for 5 months and it has been fantastic for me (alternating between 2 pumps one day and 3 the next).

Due to supply issues I haven't been able to get Oestrogel or any alternative gel. I tried 17 pharmacies and gave up.

So my GP has prescribed Estradot 75mg patches.

She suggested I look online about how best to transition from the gel to the patches but I've drawn a blank.

Can anyone suggest how best to do this? I have been applying the gel last thing at night. Do I just stop the gel and put a patch on instead? Seems too straightforward!

Yep.

Exactly.

You'll wear one patch for 3 days, the second for 4. That's it!

Had to do exactly this last week, actually finding the patches much easier as I hate having to wait for the gel to dry in!

I'm opposite I have just asked to go in gel as patches slide off me!

I can't keep them on at all!!!

Even by following the instructions. I have a friend who had exactly the same problem! She gets on better with gel.

I’ve just switched back to Estradot patches too. You just start the patch straight away. I used to use them when I first started HRT but I’d to switch to gel due to stock problems.

I change mine every 3.5 days so eg Tuesday AM, new one Friday PM. That said my doctor did say that patches can run out of steam by the end and to change them every 3 days instead or to top up with a pump of gel on patch change day.

I’ve had no problems with adhesion of Estradot but I think some of the other brands do have issues. Also Estradot are about half the size of other patches.

If you can manage it OP, I think it’s worth having an oestrogen product/extra stock as back up in case of further stock problems. I’ve been on hrt for 4 years and there have been lots of supply issues.

I prefer the gel I can't keep the patches on. Not helpful but yes you just swap over

I also cannot keep patches on because I swim nearly every day, so I have to have gel. I have enough for a month and dont know what I will do if they dont come back into stock with gel in four weeks time.

I have tried covering patches with clear dressing patches, they still float off. The maximum I have managed to keep a patch on is 48 hours. And frankly I dont like the way they look, I dont like seeing a bit of plastic on my thigh, but or wherever else I try to use them.

As my doctor said to me "if men had menopause we would be able to buy gel in the pub vending machine".

@Mxflamingnoravera can you get your prescription early? You can also buy most hrt from an online pharmacy if you go through an online consult. It’s much more expensive but may be worth having a look. If you’re ever on holiday in Spain you can buy it over the counter.

My doctor has also prescribed the Lenzetto spray to have as back-up/if my usual product is oos. It’s supposed to dry really quickly but you need slightly more than Oestrogel.

Agree that if men’s testicles started shrivelling up in their 40s they’d have a wide array of products that they didn’t have to jump through hoops to access.

@Deux
I am 60 so I get free prescriptions, I have the prescription and will resort to paying if I have to but my local superdrug have the script and have promised that they will not be upset if I call them three times a week to check if they have it in.
Thanks for the suggestion if I am desperate though!

I've switched from sandrena to oestrogen but I've had bleeding since switching, for a week now I've had blood which never happened with sandrena. Ive just called the surgery to ask for the script to go back to sandrena, I've been waiting for oestrogel to restock, my dr is going to hate me for this! The pharmacy havd sandrena in stock but no oestrogel so I hope they switch it for me.

Hi, I was just wondering how you’re getting on with the switch as I am considering doing the same. Thank you

Don’t worry, I’ve just seen all the other replies and feel alot more knowledgeable on the subject now 😊