Anyone changed HRT from patches to gel and prefer it?

[SilkieChick]

I’m on patches and they’re pretty easy to deal with - just need to change them twice a week.

However, I’m struggling with my dose - 75 feels like not enough - my mood is lower and I struggle with focus and motivation - but 100 causes headaches and I feel physically ‘off’ even though I feel better mentally, more energised and creative.

Wondering if I could find the sweet spot with gel - but I like the simplicity of patches, gel seems like a faff.

Anyone find it easier to control their dose with gel, and glad they made the switch?

I'm about to swap from 4 pumps of gel to a patch because despite the gel working amazingly well for years it suddenly isn't. But I am worried bc I trialled patches at the beginning of my HRT "journey" and my skin hated them. I am going to consider using both patch and gel if this bloody estradot 100 goes out of stock completely and I have to use the larger evorel one.
re: gel - I often used a hair dryer to speed up the drying process......

Ah ok, this is good to know. I did wonder if it would be advisable to change it, or indeed how quickly you would be able to feel the effects.

As for the gel/clothing situation - even tops off in winter in my house is kept to an absolute minimum - we’re talking seconds, not minutes!! 🥶

I know that seems trivial in the grand scheme but I guess it’s important to me not to add an extra, uncomfortable step to the process - menopause is challenging/annoying/frustrating enough as it is!

or maybe I need to move to a warmer, better insulated house… 🤔

Put your heating on?

Really, it's part of my shower/clean teeth/ moisturise my face etc in the morning.

I just switched from the patch to the gel due to poor absorption and also live in a freezing cold house- some of the other posters really don't get it! I'm really not enjoying the switch, I don't forget to take it but it does take ages to dry and it's way too cold to be standing about in my pants. I put it on at night and then lie in bed on my electric blanket with my legs open and the duvet like a tent so that it can dry! I've noted the comment about the spray with interest.....

I use Estradiol gel and I absorb it better than the patches, that was the reason for changing. I didn't find the patches fell off and they were easy to use, but eventually I ended up with lots of marks and irritation, and ultimately I wasn't absorbing them well.

The gel dries very quickly, I rub it into each upper arm for a few seconds then by the time I've washed my hands it's dry. Also live in baltic weather and it's not an issue!

I use gel. Not a faff at all. Squeeze on inner thigh, rub in. By the time I've finished washing my hands it's dry.
Patches left a sticky mark and weren't absorbing properly - I think because I have lots of baths.

I've only done gel and am only on 50mg (2 pumps) but it's no hassle at all, I keep it in the bathroom, put it on my thighs or arms (would do both if on a higher dose) and by the time I've done my face, contact lenses and teeth it's dry. I'm allergic to some adhesives found in plasters so didn't want to try patches unless I didn't get on with gel.

I’ve just switched from gel to patches today - literally just put my first one on now!

I was on 4 pumps of gel and it does take a long time to dry. Fine in the warmer weather, but at this time of year it feels like ages waiting with your bare arms or legs out.

Please anyone feel free to share any tips or need to knows about the patches!

@BeverleyOnion
Warm the patches a bit before you stick them on. Some women put them down their bra for a bit but I just rub one between my hands.

You need something oily, baby oil is good, to get the black sticky outlines off, or, you can pick it off, but don’t do it in the shower as it leaves black streaks that you then have to scrub off (ask me how I know that one!)

This - never once found an issue with the gel & I do 3 pumps, one on each inner thigh & one on the top of my arm (outer side).

With regard to patches, warm first and applying your bum, it absorbs better
Gel is awful, sticky and takes ages to dry -bleugh
All those putting on arms, I was told by my meno specialist GP to never put on upper body

Thank you @MagpiePi and @Cheeseontoastghost

I was told by my GP not to put anywhere near my breasts but the outside of your upper arm is fine.

I was told two pumps on inner thighs. That was a lot of gel! At night I was too tired/always forgot and had slightly more luck in the morning.

I don’t have a skin care routine though, I don’t use moisturiser or anything. So maybe it is harder for me to make it part of my routine. I also have teens, so have to vacate the bathroom as soon as I’m out of shower!

I don’t wear make up either, so can’t make it part of that routine.

Me too. Great stuff. So easy and after only two weeks I was sleeping again. After two months all joint pain and brain fog gone. Elated.

Like the patches . Put them on alternate butt cheeks !! My butt is covered in squares of glue residue but as I can’t see it, I don’t care !!

This is my experience too. Shower, gel, brush teeth. I put it on my arms so put my trouser/ tights on first then it is dry. Not a faff at all- didn't fancy rhe patches.

Was on patches and they kept falling off! So I love the gel - I find it easy when drying I just do
my skin care

I use sandrena which are little packets you have to open with your teeth! (Once you hands are covered with gel). I have 3 sachets. I find the whole thing annoying

I use gel and it’s great and doesn’t take long to dry at all I’m also on testosterone cream both put on after showering. It drys really fast and leaves no residue feeling. I tried two different brands of patches and I wasn’t absorbing it well they constantly fell off and left awful marks which needed to be removed with hand gel.

@SilkieChick have you considered the spray instead of the gel? It dries much more quickly and can be applied to the arms. It’s brilliant! I came off the patches and am loving. The spray.

That's one of those things that makes me think the men people who designed them never actually used them.

I like the spray, gel takes AGES to dry and is faffy. Patches end up fluffy. Spray has short life apparently so I do two morning, two night

The pack leaflet for mine says outer arms are fine but avoid breasts and genitals. That's part of the licensing for the product. It sounds as though you must be on a different one as mine dries really quickly and no stickiness.