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.

lol @Salverus
Yes I've read the leaflet, it's easily found online.

Gel is a huge faff compared with the tiny estradot patches. Also if you’re thinking of going on holiday, heavier, bulkier than a wee box of patches. If you’re good on the estradot, changing would be madness.

Many years ago (maybe 10?) there was a leaflet in the old packaging saying that and they even suggested using the leaflet as a template.

Personally, that would be unworkable for me, as there is no part of my body other than my belly or bum that is the size of an A4 sheet of paper! Certainly not my upper arm or an inner thigh. It might just about work for a whole arm from shoulder to wrist.

I apply half a pump to one arm/leg and half to the other.

do you wash your hands after putting it on? I am beginning to think I should (I am not at the moment)

Am: Shower. Two pumps applied to inner thigh area (one each, probably about A4 area but just spread around in a sensible manner really), any excess gel wiped onto outer thigh to ‘dry ’hands, brush teeth, skin care, wash hands, dry hair. Get dressed as inner thighs are dry by now. No straddling DH in the interim.

All of this is on the leaflet- yes, you should :)

Yes really well, with soap and water not just a rinse. It says you must not get the gel on your breasts or genitals so you need to make sure there is none left on your hands (for other people's sake too)

Omg of course you should wash your hands after!!!!

Read the leaflet!
They don't write the leaflet for shits and giggles. It is the actual instructions.

You could use the spray instead. Dries very fast and in a smaller area. I have two small dogs that are very licky and all over me so my GP suggested the spray was a better option.

Don't use your hands. I use a gua sha like a butter knife. If you use your hands you are wasting gel when you wash your hands. Which you must.

The gua sha is a great idea!

That said I would assume the dose factors in the fact that you'll lost some in your hands.

This all seems a bit precious. Reminds me of the people who washed their shopping in covid !

.

@JavaChip could agree more, this thread is bonkers. Seriously just read the leaflet. I put on four pumps, one on each inner arm and same on thighs after my shower in the morning. I actually rub it in after seeing Louise Newson and she has said new research says you can actually rub it in so take a minute or more to dry, so basically, by the time you’ve brushed your hair and put your face cream on etc it’s fine. And yes probs wash your hands. Can’t see why wearing a patch is so hard?!?

I complained to my doctor that it was taking ages to dry and she said to rub it in properly. Now it takes max 3 minutes and my absorption has improved. Before I was probably just evaporating it.

Personally I'd recommend sticking with the patches. They've recently found the testosterone gel can have effects:

www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/topical-testosterone-testogel-risk-of-harm-to-children-following-accidental-exposure
www.insider.com/testosterone-gel-toddler-puberty-early-2022-06?amp

This is oestrogen

Is it inner thigh or outer thigh?

Inner thigh
outer arms

i don’t know why

Funnily enough I'm aware of that. I'm just saying if the gel containing another hormone has been shown to be very easily accidentally transferred and have large effects, I wouldn't use it if there was a plaster version available that didn't have this risk.

Oh god Ive been doing 4 pumps 2 x inner thigh, 2 x outer thigh. I try to let it dry but cannot 100% guarantee no cross contamination with cat or child. I do wash my hands and keep away from child/cat.

I'm on two pumps. Put on arms or thighs in morning, dry in 5min. Get dressed so non issue

This thread has made me think about summer. What do you do re sun exposure? Do you put it on at night instead of the morning?
I have read the leaflet and checked this morning. Not mentioned at all.

I think it says to leave a couple of hours before swimming or sun cream.