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?

Hard agree!!

@Cheeseontoastghost The patient leaflet in Oestrogel shows / describes where it can be applied.

It's upper outer arms or inner thighs.

It shouldn't be applied to inner arms near the breasts in case of transfer.

The bonus of gel is the dose can be changed without a new prescription. And also that it doesn't 'advertise' being on HRT with a patch stuck on your bum.

(Some women are dating or having new partners and don't exactly want that kind of menopause 'badge'!)

Maybe you used Sandrena (sachets) because it's supposedly far stickier than Oestrogel?

This is interesting. Thank you re short life.

I did t absorb via the patches (blood test revealed this, I’ve had a hysterectomy) but I do on the gel, I also like that it’s more customisable, if you need 3 or 4 pumps, split them morning and night. My biggest fear was fake tanning, but I still do 😂

My house is also freezing but the bathroom is warm after I shower so that’s where I can prance around half naked for a minute 😬

I know there shouldn't be but I find a difference between estrogen patches. I get hot flushes and ragey on 50mcg Everol patches but not on same dose of Estrodot. There were also some oval patches that didn't seem to agree with me either.

I put the gel on just after my shower and then dry it with my hairdryer while I@m doing my hair. No idea if that's ok. I don't like the feel of it when it's wet, but otherwise it's fine.

What's the spray though? I haven't heard of that.

I hated patches- the breaking point was the fact they never stayed stuck down and one came completely off. Gel is so much easier- put it on after the shower and its dry when I have finished getting ready and get dressed

Patches started working well for me but supply issues meant I ended up with a different brand each time.

Just started the gel and it's brilliant! Dry by the time you wash your hands really. Not sticky or faffy in the least (I have small kids so no time for that). Seems to be working much better too so far! Really happy with it.

Im not on gel because I hated it.
Can't be doing with the stickiness,coldness and all the faff everyday.
Patch gets put on alternate bum cheeks twice a week

Oh this is a good read. I had a full hysterectomy 10 years ago at 42 and was initially put on tablets - something that sounded a bit like Toblerone 😁 I’ve been on the gel for about 6 years and can’t compare with the patches as have never had them. I really like it, one pump on each inner thigh in the morning. It is much easier in the warmer months but, like others have said, I bumble around doing other things for a minute or so while it dries.

I would like to increase the dose and might try again but it gave me a headache the last time I tried and like OP said, I just felt a bit weird.

I think one pump would be ok. When you start on 2+ there is just so much. I ended up down as far as my knees just to find enough skin to get it rubbed in!

I don’t how people remember every day! I would end up dressed and then remember 😂. I still sometimes forget to change my patch.

my bathroom is too small to do it too (no really it is the tiniest place in the world. And I can’t walk naked to wash my hands as my teens are horrified 😂.

I use two pumps and go down as far as my knees, it's no bother. I also have the tiniest bathroom, so I do it in the evening when I'm in there anyway. Toilet, leave trousers down or undone, two steps to the basin, wash hands, gel on, wash hands again, progesterone capsule taken, contact lenses out, teeth brushed, face cleaned, trousers up and off to the bedroom to change. I do sometimes forget but I have set a reminder to ping on my phone/watch at 10pm which helps.

Ah both my children are at uni and I live alone so I swan around as I please!

I have just made the switch 3 days ago as i was reacting to the oatches and they fell off after 2 days.

the gel seems a bit faffy but honestly takes a few minutes to dry, i do it just before bed and sit on the edge for a few minutes before getting in.

symptoms have returned (hot flushes and insomnia) but hoping this settles down as consultant said 5 days to reach optimal level on 3 pumps but can increase to 4 pumps if bot settled in 2-3 weeks.

yeah my main reason for changing is still when I’m camping. Just been away those weekend in campervan. And it’s just too tricky trying to do it lying down on a bed. Or in a freezing shower block!

We also go on a trek once a year that often involves camping in small tents in deserts and mountains.

@FoxRedPuppy
I think that patches are so much easier when you are travelling generally. I went to Australia for a month when I was on gel and not only did the bottles take up a lot of space, I worried about them being taken off me at airport security but I also misjudged and ended up running out at the end of the trip. With patches I could have taken an extra month’s worth which would have taken up a space about the size of a pack of playing cards.

I really don't understand the comments about 'waiting for it to dry'. It's pretty instant.

Yes, that's understandable, I haven't been camping since I started HRT so hadn't thought of that, although we are fair weather campers so not as tricky.

My consultant told me it took 20 mins for gel to dry properly. I I chose the spray….

Mine said 5 mins and could then put clothes on & it’s usually dry before 5 mins are up!

Me, I switched from estradot because of supply issues. I think I absorb the gel better, no skin irritation like I had with the patches, no longer have to worry about it rolling or coming off and by the time I have brushed my teeth the gel is absorbed - even with 4 pumps. I am a gel convert!

I just put the gel on my arms when I'm cleaning my teeth and it seems to dry straight away. Maybe I'm such a desert that it just sinks in.

I switched to gel as I found the patches (evorel 100) weren’t sticking well in hot weather or when exercising.

the gel didn’t take that long to dry really… do that first then other meds, contact j look ended etc and I’m good to go.

i also found I could cut from 4 pumps daily to 3 ans the absorption seems to be better.

Hi OP, I'm team patch. Aside from the fact that there's absolutely no way I'd remember to do the gel every day, I also have an insanely cold bathroom.

I use testogel too, but I put that on as I'm leaving the house when I'm already dressed - I just pull my top away from my shoulder, rub vigourously for a few seconds and then let my clothes fall back and I'm done.

Patches are great because they do have a bit left in them so if I'm late changing them by a day or two, I don't notice.
I use Everol and they stay on whatever, even with swimming.