Struggling with Oestrogel, is this normal?

[Staygoldponyboystaygold]

I started using Oestrogel 3 weeks ago because I have been suffering with the menopause. I started using 2 pumps at night but have reduced it to 1 pump this week as I’ve been suffering with side effects I think. I would love to hear other people’s experiences.

I am so emotional, feeling quite tearful which is unlike me (I can cope with this). The part that I am struggling with though is low mood, I think I was a bit depressed before which I blamed the menopause for, but this has become a lot worse. Today has been especially bad. Has anybody else felt this way?

Also I have developed a lump in one of my breasts I think. My breasts have become a bit sore and larger as well. I’m hoping it’s be of this. I will be going to the document week about this, but I wondered if this also happened to anyone else? Everything is such a struggle, even having a shower.

Today I’m not sure whether I should persevere or not tbh. Anyone else? Does it pass?

It’s normal to have some boob soreness when you first start. I definitely did, and they got larger as well. But I just carried on and they’re not sore at all now. If you have a lump though I would get this okayed by someone medical just incase, it can’t hurt to have it checked out.

It can make you feel a bit weird for a while. It’s very early days though so I would carry on; maybe if you’re finding it really hard start more slowly - go to half a pump or just one pump and build up from there (I’m on 3).

You might also find it better applying it in the morning. Generally they advise doing the oestrogel in the morning and then taking utrogestan (if you need a progesterone) in the evening as it helps sleep.

@Xrays thank you very much for your reply. My post should have read that I am planning on going to the doctor next week. I need to check my posts.

Thank you for your suggestions, I’m going to try 1/2 a pump in the mornings and build up from there. I don’t want to give up.

I had exactly the same experience @Staygoldponyboystaygold - including the painful, lumpy breasts. I came off it after about a month because I felt so awful.
I switched back to patches (I had been on patches before) and within a day or 2, I was back to normal: I could sleep again, my mood lifted, my breasts stopped being painful and the lumpiness disappeared completely.
Obviously it's worth getting any breast lump checked but I just wanted to reassure you that you're not alone in your experience with the gel and that you will feel OK again!

OP I'm just coming to the end of month 2 on patches and I spent most of the first month howling in tears. Depressed, very very low. Breasts were agonising (and have been again this month).

However I'm not crying nearly as much now and the intrusive thoughts are receding.

So hopefully if we stick with it the symptoms will ease.

@WhereAreWeNow thank you, that’s really reassuring about the lumpy breasts, I really appreciate it. I will go and get it checked out though.

@Dogsgottabone thank you, that’s just how I’m feeling! It’s helpful to
know others felt this way.

Has anyone else found that 2 pumps of oestrogel causes spacey feelings/ dizziness? I've been on it for over 6 months but just started with dizziness recently like I did when I took 3 pumps as told by my GP in the beginning.
I lowered to 2 and felt great but now the dizziness is back xx

I use one pump on each arm at night and it sorted my sleep out. I have been upped to two progesterone a day though as i ended up in hospital with really heavy bleeding.

I had the dizziness on 2 pumps went to the dr and was told it was because my hormones had changed again and to up it to 3 pumps. I did this and was fine then 8 months later the dizziness was back so upped to 4 pumps and gone again!

2anddone Thank you. I did wonder if that could be a reason. I'm going to give upping my dose a go xx

I really really didn't get on with the gel. No idea why, whether it was the wrong dose or if I wasn't absorbing it but I was a wreck. Much happier on patches.

OP you might want to persevere on the recommended dose, of two pumps in the morning, or even up it?

The low mood may be caused by having too much progesterone in your system and NOT ENOUGH oestrogen to balance it out.

progesterone causes painful pmt like breast tenderness symptoms, not oestrogen.

Remember that feeling anxious is a symptom of not enough oestrogen, and your health anxiety is exacerbated if you cut back below the level of oestrogen you need.
It’s sort of a negative feedback cycle if you don’t have enough oestrogen.

I had a lump, albeit on much higher dose. It was fully checked and scanned and it was nothing serious. The breast tissue can change a bit.
Patches I find better than gel but all personal !

OP - what contraception are you on? The progesterone levels really vary and can dictate how much oestrogen you need

(I was prescribed wrongly and it made a huge difference when they changed it)

I had the very much the same symptoms as you OP. I switched to Evorel patches and the relief was almost instant.

@jackstini I don't take contraception and haven't for 26 yrs following sterilisation x

@Staygoldponyboystaygold took about 4 months for the swollen lumpy painful boobs to go. It was really really bad for a couple months, agonising just to unclip my bra.

I was like this on two pumps and am now on three and emotionally stable again. I think you have to get the dose right and that takes time

Hi All, I followed my instinct aswell as taking your advice and trusted that it was a drop in my own estrogen levels so, I'm now on 3 pumps and much more stable. Thank you all xx (btw, I tried sequi and conti patches prior to moving to the gel but they weren't effective for me after about 6 mths)

@Cavey69 are you taking progesterone too?
Check with your doctor as taking oestrogen without it can cause a thickened uterus lining

@jackstini yes, all good on that front: I take progesterone and have had a full uterus scan.