Page 2 | Applying gel in winter

Catslovepies · 2022-09-19T05:59:17+00:00

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?

GelatoQueen · 20/09/2022 19:51

St Guys and Thomas info says you can rub in the gel. I spoke to my GP recently about transfer and she said as long as you wash your hands afterwards all OK. I was trying to work out the pros and cons of patches v gel. I suspect the drug company say leave to dry because this is how it was applied in trials. In the same way some women use utrogestan vaginally although this is 'off licence'.

GelatoQueen · 20/09/2022 19:51

Link here

GelatoQueen · 20/09/2022 19:51

Sorry link fail - link is here

ShirtingForkBalls · 21/09/2022 20:48

LaJoconde · 20/09/2022 14:13

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.

Don't the patches fall off when you swim?

JinglingHellsBells · 21/09/2022 21:37

GelatoQueen · 20/09/2022 19:51

St Guys and Thomas info says you can rub in the gel. I spoke to my GP recently about transfer and she said as long as you wash your hands afterwards all OK. I was trying to work out the pros and cons of patches v gel. I suspect the drug company say leave to dry because this is how it was applied in trials. In the same way some women use utrogestan vaginally although this is 'off licence'.

It needs rubbing in a little but not so much that it will end up being absorbed by your hands.

It's not 'off-licence' to rub it in, it's really about how much rubbing is done!
(The off-licence for using Utrogestan vaginally is a UK licensing issue as in Europe vaginal use is common. In the UK vaginal use is licensed for fertility only.)

You aren't supposed to rub away madly like applying handcream or body lotion until every trace is gone.

I have never counted how much I rub it in, but it's probably about 4-5 broad sweeps of the hand until it's semi-absorbed.

LaJoconde · 19/10/2022 01:50

@ShirtingForkBalls no, and that’s brilliant for swimming as they stay put and I’m not worried about the dose.
if I was still pumping the gel, I’d wonder if I was washing it off before I had absorbed it completely.

the patches are replaced every 3-4 days. I stick one on on Mondays and Thursdays. No bottles to bring to the pool. They don’t come off until you pull them off, so they survive the swim and the shower all the while slowly releasing the correct dose.

ScooperPooper · 19/10/2022 05:51

Be great if someone in clinical science could research this exact question because how people want to take prescribed meds is a big factor in them taking them at all, sometimes. And incorrect meds taking can obviously be very risky for patients. Here though, I still don’t get why rubbing is such a problem. I use my bare hands. I rub in then I don’t wash them until 5 hours later. Both surfaces- thigh and hand, absorb?

BatshitCrazyWoman · 21/10/2022 09:55

I just spread it in broad strokes on my arms, as a PP said. Then clean my teeth, floss out body lotion on my legs. It's dry by then so I get dressed. I've not had an issue with it drying (I use 3 pumps).

Feetache · 22/10/2022 23:28

I've just applied to arms thinly and it's been dry within a minute. Might switch to thighs

JinglingHellsBells · 23/10/2022 09:23

@ScooperPooper It is advisable to wash your hands because you could be transferring estrogen to other people or pets. It's 'active' on the skin (and able to be transferred to someone by touch) for an hour.

tarantinotpf · 13/11/2022 21:18

TOP TIP: I bought a mini spatula and use that to spread it as thin as I can inside thighs. It helps but it’s still mighty cold at the moment.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 13/11/2022 21:25

I’ve got no sympathy. Try applying emollient for eczema all over twice a day😭🥶I’m dreading this winter!

Feetache · 14/11/2022 00:38

SpeckledlyHen · 20/09/2022 11:30

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?

Mine is this too. Dry within 1 minute.
Shower. Gel. Hair. Clothes.

Original poster

Catslovepies · 14/11/2022 07:13

I've now completely chickened out of applying gel in winter and switched to patches! They seem to be working well. The only problem is taking them off hurts as they rip the little baby hairs on my skin off with them. It's a case of be careful what you ask for, I guess 😅

OP posts:

kneeldownandenter · 14/11/2022 08:15

Catslovepies · 14/11/2022 07:13

I've now completely chickened out of applying gel in winter and switched to patches! They seem to be working well. The only problem is taking them off hurts as they rip the little baby hairs on my skin off with them. It's a case of be careful what you ask for, I guess 😅

I really want to do this as I don't have time for faffing about waiting for gel to dry. I can't be worried about a bit of unexpected waxing 😄

Does it feel any different hormone wise ?

Original poster

Catslovepies · 14/11/2022 08:47

@kneeldownandenter I haven't felt any difference, no. And honestly I'm glad I switched as it's so much more convenient.

OP posts:

mulligatawnysoup · 14/11/2022 13:37

I was told to rub it in 🤷‍♀️😳

Abra1t · 14/11/2022 13:39

It’s fine to swim after an hour, I was told. Or bath or shower.

shamelesschocaholic · 14/05/2023 11:11

Just reading this with interest. I have been on latches around 8 months (46 in June) and my symptoms just started to get worse. Brain fog has bern terrible since last summer which I put down to divorce (that I realise is prob part peri menopause issue too). Divorce has finalised, house sold, drama less than has bern but still hard to concentrate at work then the hot flushes started a few weeks ago and oh my god, I’ve had a few sad days recently. Was crying on way to work for zero reason the other morning. Im
in new relationship, life has settled, I’m buying a new house. I should be happy smf 98% I am thrm couple times last month the sadness has hit. I’ve never had mood problems or even pmt.

anyway dc has changed me from 100mg patch (highest license) to 4 pumps gel. Really hope it sorts me out as I feel like I’m losing me sometimes. I also had the coil as was terrible at taking progesterone and testosterone gel .

anyone had similar and felt better?