Not absorbing Estrogel

[One2threecats]

I’m 58, last period age 51. Been on 2 pumps plus 100mg progesterone daily for 18 months, not due to the hot flushes etc that had already stopped, but for my bones after an osteoporosis scare. I do also have huge problems with VA, and many UTIs and although I’m meticulous with using vagifem every other day, plus nightly YES moisturisers, it’s still awful.

I asked my GP for a blood test to see how or whether I was absorbing and have come back with 85.2 pmol which is very low. I have extremely dry skin and have been told by the dermatologist that the outer lipid layer is too thin. I have read that for good absorption, the skin needs this lipid layer. I use all over prescription moisturiser at night and apply gel in the morning, but I actively avoid the inner thigh, although now wondering whether I should actually moisturise there the night before. GP has just increased me to 3 pumps.

I’m worried that the alternative to gel, which is a patch will really set my skin off. My GP is pretty useless and I’m honestly joining up all the dots myself. I spoke to her about Estring, as neither Vagifem or Ovestin cream are helping the VA, and she’d never even heard of it!

Any worlds of advice please 🤗

I have ended up on oral hrt because I couldn't absorb from gel or patches! No explanation of why, but numbers also in the 80s despite using 4 pumps or highest patches. Oral stuff seems to be working ok but I still dont feel 100%

I can't have the patches because I have an allergy to the adhesive. I have sandrena gel. I've never had bloods done to test but I've been on it for absolute years and it works for me.
What's the reason you avoid the inner thigh? I apply my gel to the "front" of my thigh, let it dry before dressing, alternating thighs every few days. I've also applied it to my forearm the odd time.

What is the lipid cream, some sort of ceramides? Perhaps see if there's an alternative that is stronger or works better for you.