Estrogel dose

[Alicelily]

Hi, I was prescribed estrogel (2 pumps) and utrogestan tablets 2x 100mg for 14 nights. I am anxious anyway and worked my self up on the first day of using estrogel. I spoke to Dr who said it was probably my own anxiety and not due to the gel but advised me to drop down to one pump for the first month and up it back to 2 pumps on the second month and see how I feel. It did take a few days to settle with just the one pump as I felt a bit nauseous. I've just finished my utrogestan (after initial anxiety had no problems at all with these and slept great) so going to start with 2 pumps of gel. I've only taken 1 pump this AM and was planning on taking the 2nd pump at bedtime. Is this OK? Was thinking it wouldn't be evenly spaced out from bedtime dose and tomorrow's AM dose. I take AM dose around 7 before I go to work. Also I've heard people on here say it makes them feel energised so will this prevent me from getting a good sleep? If you split the dose does it need to be bedtime or could you have it at teatime? What's everyone else's experiences? What times do you find best? Or do you find it better taking it in one go and not splitting? I know we are all different and need to find what works for us individually but any advice is welcome.

Try not to over-think it all.

It's great that your GP is offering advice and starting low is a good idea.

Regarding the timing of using the gel. Splitting is am and pm is fine (I do that.)
But move away from the idea that using estrogen is like taking other medication where there is an 'instant response' and where timing has be to be precise.
It's not like that.

Estrogen levels take a while to rise when using HRT (which is why there is a 3-month review at first.)

It's not like taking a pain killer and expecting a result in an hour. So no, it won't 'energise' you.

I think what people mean by 'energise' is that over time, their wellbeing improves and they feel more energetic and less tired.

You don't have to have a precise 12 hour gap between morning- evening- morning applications. Applying the gel before bed is fine, simply as most women aren't going to undress at 7pm and wait for it to dry!

I use mine after my morning shower anything from 7-8am, and in the evening around 10-11pm.

Thank you jinglinghellsbells. It's only been 1 month of taking both the utrogestan and estrogel and was so anxious but I've been fine up to now. I did have a bleed around the time I usually would although not much. I didn't have much of a period anyway and it was a bit up and down. My doctor has been really good and told me I didn't have to phone and check about altering my estrogel dose. She basically said I'm in charge of the dosing and just to keep tweaking it every month to see what works for me. She just said not to alter my utrogestan dose. I know a few people on here said they only take the utrogestan for 12 days so was worried when my Dr said 14 days. She has said that it makes it easier to remember to take it when you do 2 weeks on and 2 weeks off. She said some people struggle with it and to see how I go and we can tweak the amount of days I take it if needed. Ive been ok with it and slept really well. Hope it continues 😄

Your dr sounds really supportive which is great.

The prescribed dose for Utrogestan on the leaflet in the pack is 12 days. I find it slightly odd that drs think women can't count to 12 days and have to be told to use 14 days / 2 weeks because it's 'easier'! 😕

The 14 days is really there as an option is women bleed heavily and need more progesterone in the cycle.

It was never 14 days until very recently when one private dr wrote a guide for GPs and they are all following it!

If you are happy with 14 days, carry on, but many women find Utrogestan has some side effects and for them, less is better.

14 days has been OK this time, but it is the first time taking it. Had a little bit of belly ache and a slight headache on the last day but not enough to take a pain killer. Will see how I go over next few months. She did say we can alter it if we need to.

Quick question, if you only take 2 pumps estrogel in a split dose do you put it on the same area that you put your other dose? I usually put my one pump on the top of my right arm in the AM. Should I put the second pump on the same arm when I take my evening one or should I put it on the other arm?