HRT gel or patches?

[samantha69]

I am going through the menopause and am thinking of starting HRT but need some advice
thank you 🙏

I'm using the gel and find it dries quickly and is easy to use. It will also be easier to increase the dose should I need to, rather than getting different patches.

I've got patches for the oestrogen but gel for testosterone.

Patches are great but I have a patchwork of grey sticky squares across my arse

HRT is transformational.

I remove the marks with the old patch. Sometimes works!!

My GP said it was my choice but she slightly preferred the patch as it gives a more continuous dose.

One other thing to note if you travel on planes.

Although the gel is a liquid and most tubs are over 100ml, the gel is exempt from the 100ml liquid limit so long as it's in its original container and you have evidence of your prescription. I was concerned as flew for the first time with mine this week and it had been mentioned to me. It wasn't even mentioned in the uk, and in Germany it was briefly mentioned but as soon as I said it was medically prescribed there was no issue - didn't even ask to see proof, and the bottle itself had no prescription label on it.

Omg I hadn't heard that there were any dangers from having someone sleep near the patch.

What would happen?

I co-sleep with baby DC and, as you can imagine with a breastfeeding one year old, get very little space. Do I need to go back to my GP and get this changed?

I cant imagine the baby is anywhere near your patch though? I thought they were usually on the buttock/hip area?

It's sprt of on my hip/low stomach area so no I don't think he's that near it. Next time I'll put it more near my bum I guess that'll make it less risky?

HRT was life changing for me. No more night sweats, waking at 3am, feeling worn out etc. However I've had to increase to 3 pumps daily as I guess my oestrogen levels are dropping. I take the utrogestan tablets for progesterone as my GP advised they are bio identical and hence better than mirena (unless I wanted them for contraception too). I'm sticking with them unless I suffer any problems in which case I'll switch to mirena.

I preferred the convenience of the patches but switched to gel 3 years ago when there was a patch shortage. It's a bit cold to be applying in the winter, especially as I'm 3 pumps now.

Baby oil is good for removing the black outlines left by the patches.

@WarrickDavisAsPlates have no idea about humans - dogs and cats are my professional concern. 😉

Where have you read this?

www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/people/wakefield-vets-warning-as-12-week-old-puppy-in-season-after-absorbing-owners-hrt-hormone-cream-4030571

Surely the dog must have been licking it, not just nearby.

Surely gel is more risky?
The hormones in the patch are under it, stuck to the skin whereas gel is applied to the skin.
I can't see how it's an issue unless you sleep naked with a cat on you? 👀

I swim daily and no issues!
Zoff the marks off

You can get medical adhesive remover spray to get the horrible grey marks off easily, literally a tiny amount of spray and it glides off clean! i started with gel but kept forgetting to apply, patches have been much easier to manage although I’m now concerned about the effects on my dog sleeping on the bed with me after reading this thread!

I really wouldn't worry .
I can see how it would happen with the gel or cream if you don't wash your hands or it's on your arms but the patch is stuck on you , under your clothes.