Oestrogel - could it rub off on kids?

[lollopinglemur]

I've been on Estradot 100 patches which have improved symptoms. I asked yesterday if I could change to gel as I don't like having a sticker on my bum all day. She said yes and I have a prescription. But have been reading up and 4 pumps (the equivalent) seems a lot to soak in. I'm worried in the summer when I'm wearing shorts will it go on my kids/husband? I know it says in the instructions it's ok if you wait an hour -- but is it really? I read somewhere you shouldn't swim for 6 hours after applying? Any experienced users, would welcome your thoughts.

I know it says in the instructions it's ok if you wait an hour -- but is it really?

Yes.

The manufacturers base it on science/ rate/time of absorption in clinical studies .

Thank you Jingling. It is a bit of a worry though. I also have fairly aggressively affectionate cats and I found this thread which worried me www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,29985.0/wap2.html.
It's never easy is it.

Four pumps is loads. I only have two and have to cycle it with one every other day or I cry at everything 😄

Having just been away with a friend whose on two pumps - her days of just waking up, doing her teeth and running out of the door are gone. She needs to plan in drying time, always goes first in the shower, etc. I'd honestly stick to the plaster, I don't have to think about any of that at all.

It is a pain I agree. I shower first thing then do the gel while I'm laying in bed drinking coffee.

One pump needs to cover an area equivalent to an A4 size sheet of paper, which is a lot. Perhaps easier to divide and do 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening.
To make sure you’re getting the full dose either apply with the lid or your forearms. If you use your hands and wash them afterwards, you will be wasting some of your gel and not getting a full dose.

I do mine at night (2 pumps) so do it as soon as I start my bedtime routine and by the time I've taken make up off, moisturised, done teeth and pfaffed abou, it's dry. I do 2 pumps so just on thighs but you can do pumps on thighs and arms to spread it out a bit

I like to take the progesterone at night as it helps my sleep and for some reason think you shouldn't take both at once, but I'm notbaure why I think this!

Yes I saw that when it was posted at the time.

There are some very sensible posts after it, including one from a poster 'Hurdity' and it really is ok after 1 hr.

Why don't you think about splitting your dose am and pm- do legs in the morning (or arms) and vice versa later in the day?

Can you do arms? I thought the advice was below the waist?

Thank you all. An A4 size per pump! I think I might have to stick to the flipping plaster. It's just going to be impossible to keep two kids and two cats off me for an hour in the morning, and then in the evening, have to put it on an hour before bed presumably so it doesn't rub off on sheets (and then husband, children). There is no morning lying in bed drinking coffee available chez moi currently!

I can see it would be a lot easier if I needed fewer pumps!

@Salverus Yes I wondered about arms, when the patch instructions say so strongly that it should go below the waist in case of breast cancer. But the oestrogen instructions say arms are ok. Don't understand why it would be different.

Can you please say why is it that you can't take both together? I do, and wondering if it's less effective or something?

I'm on 2 pumps. I do one on each inner thigh or arm and shoulder. It dry by the time I've done my skincare and hair so I just get dressed.
I have no concerns about DH absorbing it, if we were having sex it would be before I put it on or at night so 10h after application.
DS is a teen so rarely touches me 🤣

@CrystalMaisie
Please link to where it says it needs to be spread over skin the size of A4. I can't believe that is correct. Surely that's incorrect. And scaremongering?

OP @lollopinglemur
An hour? To what are you referring? The guidelines say let it soak in for 5 minutes:
"Allow the gel to dry for up to 5 minutes before you get dressed."

I only take 10 mins to drink coffee then get dressed. I don't lay there for an hour!

Are you using it? Unless the guidance has changed, it says arms and thighs.

There is a video on Dr Newson's meno website of a dr applying it and she's doing her arms.

I have two pumps at night. Like others, I put it on whilst getting ready for bed. Wee first though otherwise it goes on the loo seat! It only takes 5 mins to dry. I also take my progesterone at night.

Yes I am. Not sure why patches would not be OK on arms but gel is, so I'll stick to my thighs which are more than an ample size for two pumps!

I use 3 pumps every night before bed, 1 on each upper arm & 1 on the thigh, it actually absorbs very quickly & DH hasn't grown boobs yet

@Salverus @lollopinglemur

Okay- this is what the leaflet actually says. (It's in the box of gel, so you can read it yourself.)

-Apply to upper outer arms OR mid-inner thigh.

-If using 2 pumps, you can apply one pump to arms and 1 pump to thighs.

-Avoid close contact with your partner for 1 hour after application.

All of this in on the leaflet which is more informative than 'rumours' on some forums.

There are directions on various websites that are either out of date, ( eg -the A4 size for application) or by other countries (eg the US.)

Yep read the leaflet. You have no idea if info on any forum is for the exact product you are using.

Have you read the leaflet that came in the box? The whole thing, not just a glance. You need to read it.

And in my experience it takes 5 mins to dry not hours.

I was told the a4 area size by a private dr meno specialist.

Yeah I've read the leaflet. I started doing that (arms) but now do thighs and leave it to dry for as long as takes me to drink a coffee and check my emails!

Mind you, dh now has a great pair of 36Ds and cries at adverts, so who knows?