How many pumps oestrogen gel

[moonriver52]

hi there, my gp thought it might be helpful to go up to 100 Estradot patch (I have the Mirena coil), from 75, due to low libido, brain fog, night-waking and anxiety. A blood test in July had shown my oestrogen levels were at 70 and testosterone 0.4 so she had already increased patches from 50 to 75.

I'm currently unable to get hold of the 100 patches, so she has prescribed me the gel - which I'm happy to try, but it was via the receptionist, so I'm not sure how much to start using. I will call them tomorrow to see if I can find out, but I don't know if I'll have much luck (I'm due to change the patch tomorrow). i was wondering if I should start at the 100 level (which I think is 4 pumps?) or less, which makes the does lower than the patches I was on?

Thanks

I think you're right, one pump of gel is roughly equivalent to 25mcg patch. Gel doesn't suit everyone, I was dreadful on it and the anxiety hit me like a train. The other option would be to stick to the patches and ask if you can have a prescription for 75 + 25, or 50 + 50 if you can get hold of Estradot in different doses. This is something I am currently thinking about as I have a GP appointment next week to discuss increase to 100 mcg - I don't tolerate the gel and am allergic to the glue on Evorel so Estradot is my only option really, and the 100 mcg patches are like hen's teeth.

Thank you. Do you know why the gel would increase anxiety? Really really keen to avoid that. Thanks

I think it's just one of those things - some things suit people better than others. None is better or worse, it's down to what suits you

I had the opposite experience; dreadful anxiety symptoms snd palpitations when I swapped from gel to patches. Now back on the gel again and this has all settled.

As the pp says, everyone responds differently:-)

If you have some 75s left I'd personally use those and top up with 1 pump of gel to get to the 100. If you are going to have problems with the gel this might show up but not give you the full whammy and then you will have a better idea of what to expect when you are forced onto gel only. Otherwise the dose is 4 pumps and I'd personally choose to do 2 in the morning and 2 at night.

That sounds like good advice, thanks. I’ve got some 75s. So one pump once a day?

Following with interest. I started on the gel 2 months ago after Tinolone stopped being sufficient for my brain fog and energy flatline. Initially on 2 pumps, I put myself up to 3 after 5 weeks of awful brain fog. Maybe slightly better now but would love to think I could increase to 4 at some future point. Is that a fairly normal dose? 55, fully menopausal.

Hope your 100 dose works for you, OP