HRT - remembering which leg!

[Nobledeedsandhotbaths]

Bit of a basic one, I'm sure there's a straightforward way of doing this! I've started on HRT and am on tablets and gel; the doctor has impressed on me the importance of alternating which leg I apply the gel to and my question is, how do people remember which one they have done?? Any easy ways without having to write it down? Maybe if the brain fog lifts I will just miraculously remember!

Ankle chain or bracelet on the side you have applied to? Then swap it when you apply to the other leg?

Maybe an anklet or little clip on your underwear that you move from side to side, to remember what leg you last applied the cream to?

Keep a piece of paper with the gel and write R or L each day.

Don't sweat it! The dose I am on, I slather it over both thighs every day. If there was an issue with daily application to an individual leg, this wouldn't be ok.

I'd get a sharpie and write an R on one side of the bottle, and an L on the other.

Then I'd switch the bottle round depending on which leg I'd put it on.

Then I'd get dressed wondering if the L means I smeared it on my Left leg yesterday, or if I should use my Left leg today.

Could you have a calendar and just write a list of Ls and Rs on it and then obey it?

Or just decide that odd numbers in the month mean left and even numbers right? You'd occasionally do the same leg twice but I think what they won't want you to do is accidentally use the same leg for the majority of the time - rather than just over or just under half.

I was staring at my thighs just now, I can never remember....

When I was breastfeeding I used a hair clip on my top next to the side I’d fed on so I remembered which boob I’d used last. Then I’d forget to move it.

Oh, you people are wonderful, such creative (and simple) ideas, thank you! Am now thinking it's a good excuse to invest in a pretty anklet. In the meantime I'll try the odd/even days of the month thing - left odd / right even I'm thinking.

@Nobledeedsandhotbaths Your GP is talking nonsense.
There is nothing in the instructions (leaflet) about alternate legs.
I've used gel for almost 15 years, top UK meno consultant, never ever been mentioned to do this.

It's totally illogical anyway as the estrogen gets into your system whichever leg.

You can also use your upper arms but make sure none gets on your boobs.

Just for reassurance- info from a medical site.

www.balance-menopause.com/menopause-library/oestrogel-and-sandrena/

Thank you, that's reassuring to hear.

I can only think your dr is maybe getting confused with patches and assuming gel is the same. I've never used patches but I seem to recall women talking about alternating the leg/ bum cheek every few days, (but can't see the reason for that either!)

I'd go with "left" being "even" as both words have 4 letters

I've been told it doesn't matter
I stick it on the same leg every night

And left and even are earlier in the alphabet so actually that would make more sense twice.

I'm on the Oestrogel. It clearly says one pump on each arm/leg. I've never heard of alternating - how can you alternate? Are you taking perhaps just one pump of the gel?

Must say I'm very relieved to read this. I was starting to worry that in my brain fog I'd overlooked some key instructions!

Never heard of doing it this way.
Mine was prescribed from the Newson clinic, I’d assume they would have said if it was important.

I was told to alternate thighs with Sandrena as well, but I genuinely don't understand the need for it.

I've never heard of alternating. I'm on 3 pumps of Oestrogel. I just apply one pump to each thigh, and the third to my upper arm. I never realised this was a thing..

I use two pumps, one on each thigh. I'm sure your GP is thinking of patches not gel as I'm sure it doesn't matter. If you are concerned could you just divide the gel and use it on both legs every day ?

To be fair to the GP, I've just reread the leaflet and it does say "Apply the gel to a different side of your body each day".

That's different to the online patient leaflet, from Besins, (manufacturer) which says apply to your arm from shoulder to wrist, and if using 2 pumps, apply one pump to each arm.

FWIW I apply one pump spread between two upper inner thighs. I use 1 pump in the morning and 1 pump in the evening. Always have done, and seems to work fine.