Gel vs Patches

[Dirtystreetpie]

Started on one pump of gel and tablets days 14-26 about 5 months ago. Initially helped but I am more anxious, insomniac and night sweaty than ever again. Also struggle with forgetting the gel/tablets/not liking the wet sticky thighs and waiting for it to dry.

I heard the gel/tablets is now seen as so called “gold standard” of HRT, but was wondering if I may get on better with patches and wanted to hear of anyone else’s experiences. Do you need to take pills as well with the patches if you still have your period?

I wasn't saying it's because it's for women not men! Or that the product exists! My point is! That if it was a medical issue that affected men!

Like ED, for example, someone would have found a way for it to exist in a format that was more convenient to take by now, or at least be doing research on it eg for an on licence way of easily using it vaginally, with accompanying research to demonstrate endometrial protection, with a convenient applicator like a thrush pessary maybe (not easy to shove those slippery, round spherical capsules up there is it?) Perhaps they are?

Don't worry, I knew what you meant.

It's physically impossible to make progesterone to absorb through the skin in the amounts needed to protect the womb. There are ,sadly, some charlatan companies out there who produce progesterone cream which they say will be as effective. It's not, but it is sometimes prescribed by private clinics offering bio identical HRT ( not to be confused with licensed body identical HRT.)

or at least be doing research on it eg for an on licence way of easily using it vaginally, with accompanying research to demonstrate endometrial protection

It IS licensed for vaginal use! Just not in the UK, although consultants can allow women to use it that way. In Europe, it can be used orally, vaginally and anally (as a suppository.)

It's just one of those odd licensing things. The BMS has produced research papers showing how it's effective vaginally.

The statement from them has been posted here many times, but if you want to search online it's BMS statement on the use of progestogens in HRT'.

It compares oral and vaginal use.

Exactly. "Just one of those odd licencing thing". That women in the UK are meant to just accept.

Have a read of the BMS report on progestogen use.

It covers all the points you have raised.

We are allowed to use it vaginally. That's in the report. It is for women who find the side effects of oral use difficult.

Women in Ireland have posted here and as Ireland is now part of the EU and we aren't, their prescriptions say for oral or vaginal use.

And- being blunt- who's to know if you choose to use it that way?

I've tried both. I didn't get on with gel at all. Patches work for me. But everyone is different. Lots of women prefer gel.