Applying gel in winter

[Catslovepies]

I've just started hrt a couple of weeks ago and I feel like it's making a difference already. I was just wondering if anyone has some ideas to help with applying the gel in winter when it's cold? Currently I apply a pump to each of my thighs first thing in the morning and keep them bare while it dries. However in winter our old drafty house is cold and I'm going to freeze my thighs off if I do that. Any tips or tricks please?

I apply gel (on my inner arms) and then immediately brush teeth/hair/apply make up etc so I'm not hanging around waiting for it to dry and doing nothing. Doing something is a distraction from the gel going cold.

Following. Haha I started gel a couple of weeks ago and have been wondering the same thing. I tend to put my dressing gown on and faff about for a couple of minutes.
I do try to rub it in hard to try and get it to sink in quickly but it still requires a wait to dry. It’s going to be a pain but like you say I’m feeling the benefit.

It's cold and horrible! I move about a lot.
Summer is brilliant-dries in moments. !

I was wondering this as I too live in a cold house. Currently I apply mine at night on thighs and then stand trouser-less in bathroom while I do teeth, wash face, etc. last night was first night it hadn’t completely dried by time I’d finished that (cos colder). Mid-winter is going to be grim (no radiator in our bathroom 🥶🥶)

I was wondering this, I do my make up while leaving my legs bare, but it seems to take ages to dry.

What's the gel? I've never heard of it 😊

You're NOT meant to rub it in You should spread it evenly and leave it to dry.
You can however blast the hairdryer over the area if you're in a rush or if it's too cold to waft around waiting for it to dry.

I was on the gel and worried about the same thing. 😆 However I was having issues getting the gel locally so switched to patches, I much prefer the patches, as I stick it on then forget about it for a few days.

You can rub the gel in @HumourReplacementTherapy

What gel is it? The reason for asking is I have Oestrogel from Besins Healthcare, it's a white pump bottle with pale blue lid and label and it dries in less than a minute. My friend uses a gel which she says takes up to 45 mins to dry.

I wonder if it is the brand of gel that takes so long to dry and whether you could switch?

Can you @GelatoQueen ? I too, like @HumourReplacementTherapy thought you were supposed to just kind of smooth it on to the skin and not rub too much with your hands. Did I get that from the leaflet that comes with the medication? Or from on here? I can't remember! But it would be great if rubbing it in more was ok as then it would definitely dry more quickly... As it is, I just try to smooth it out over as wide a surface of skin as possible so it's not too thick. Then I kind of rub my thighs together, which helps.

I rub it in. It’s fine to do that.

I put mine on before bed, and just jump in when it is still moist. It just rubs on the other thigh anyway, so after a bit it rubs around and dries off!

I get what you're saying op it's bloody freezing in the winter.

I've asked GP if I can switch from patch to gel and I'm a bit worried about this. Freezing cold house and it'll be colder than ever this winter as I'll be avoiding putting the heating on! Maybe I should stick with the patches.

Look at Balance Menopause YT video on how to rub in

Been using it for over 12 years and the drying has never been an issue. But then I refuse to live in a cold house.

Partly as I apply twice a day (am and pm) so each application is 1 pump spread over 2 thighs or upper arms. Dries in a minute.

A lot of us avoid applying to the upper arms as it's possible that during the first hour when it's being absorbed, some might rub off near the breasts, but of course that depends on your clothing.

You are not supposed to rub it in. I've seen the Newson video and it goes against a lot of what is online.

This is from Besin's own website on how to apply

-Apply to top and bottom of one
arm from shoulder to wrist.

-It is not necessary to massage
or rub in Estrogel.

-Do not apply to the breasts or
vagina

Or from the Patient Leaflet

The correct dose of gel should be dispensed and applied to clean, dry, intact areas of skin e.g. on the arms and shoulders, or inner thighs.

-The area of application should be at least 750 cm2.

-One pump actuation from the dispenser, or half the prescribed dose, should be applied to each arm/shoulder (or thigh).

-Oestrogel should NOT be applied on or near the breasts or on the vulval region.

-A frequent change in application sites is recommended. [not heard of this from any dr.]

I tend to do arms in the summer so I can wear a t-shirt and trousers while it dries - doesn't take too long to get to tacky enough to add a jumper.

I rub it in over a large area then blast it with a hairdryer.

having said that after three years of gel, I’ve swapped to the patches now as I’m swimming at lunchtime. Very easy transition.

When I say rub it in I mean I don’t leave it like a blob or a thick strip

I spread it over a large area, with my palm, but don’t rub it after that.

The little oestrogen stickers are suiting me better now. I change them twice weekly.

Question for those using the patches. Do they cause irritation? I have very sensitive skin and can't use normal plasters for example. Are they anti-allergy?

As above the balance video tells you to rub it in well or it will take ages to dry. Won’t a hair dryer evaporate it rather than make it sink in?

I'm also allergic to plasters but the patches don't cause any irritation at all.

Hang on- are you not allowed to go swimming at lunchtime if you've applied the gel that morning?