Is oestrogen gel or spray commonly prescribed by the NHS or is the patch more common, and do patients get much choice?

[Penelopeandherpitstop]

I'm moving back to the UK permanently in a few months after several years abroad. I've been using estrogel (along with progesterone) for almost a year and am happy with using the gel. I'm wondering if the gel is as commonly prescribed as the patch by the NHS, and if I'm likely to have any issues if I request a prescription for the gel and not the patch? I'm also open to trying the spray.

I'm asking because the patch seems more commonly prescribed (I have no actual data for this it's just my perception from reading forums!) but I'm hoping if I specifically request the gel it will be prescribed. I know GPs can be hit and miss on perimenopause/menopause knowledge anyway, but I'm also wondering if there are any cost differences between the gel and patch making the patch preferable for the NHS to prescribe?

Thanks for any insight.

I use the gel and oral progesterone. Absolutely no problem being perscribed from the GP, was given a choice and that's what I went for. 1 phone call then a follow up 3 months later.

My GP talked me through all the different options during a phone appointment and gave me the choice. I have the patches and oestrogen pessary. Working great for me.

Gel and oral progesterone here. I just asked.You should be fine.

Getting the gel from the doctor is as straight forward as getting the patch. From my experience, the doctor does not push one more than the other.

I asked for the gel right from the start because I knew it would suit my lifestyle more. Doctor even seemed to support my choice over using a patch because you can tailor the dose with gel much more easily.

As others have said, I was told all the options and then asked which I’d like.

I started with the patch but started getting a rash with it, so I’ve recently changed to a coil and spray which seems to be doing the job at the moment.

You should have no problems being prescribed the gel. It’s on the formularies and as long as your dosing is safe you can continue your current regimen.

Usually no problem although getting the exact same product will depend if the gel you have overseas is available in the UK Depending on where in the UK your GP is they will follow a local formulary or policy for what is available/ permitted but most now include gel.

They will rightly encourage transdermal estrogen but my GP was happy to give me the choice of methods. Personally I started with gel but now love the spray as it dries so quickly and I don't get any on my hands.

Was offered gel as first line. They said if it wasn’t working out for me they’d look at other methods. Seems to be standard around here.

My GP gave me the choice, after talking me through the options. I've been using the gel for a few years now.

My GP offered gel or patch (I chose gel). I asked about the spray but she seemed reluctant to prescribe it; she said we could talk about the spray once we had dosage worked out with the gel, but that sounded like a fob off to me!

I think gel or patch is totally standard in the UK

I use gel and the Mirena coil. On patches at first but they didn’t stick so went onto gel. Never had any issues - gps and nurses in my surgery discuss options

I've been prescribed oestrogel, tablets and the patch. I stuck with the patch because it works best for me. The gel caused me to feel wired all the time, with greasy hair and spots.

Have you had any issues getting hold of the spray? This was my first choice for exactly the reasons you state, but it was never in stock so (after a horrible few months with patches) I ended up using the gel.

Thanks everyone! Very helpful and I'm happy to see my impression the patch is preferred is incorrect 😊

I read up a bit on the spray and that actually looks like a good option and less messy than the gel.

I know this wasn’t directed at me, but I haven’t had any issues getting hold of the spray so far.

It’s so easy to use. I spray it on before I clean my teeth, then by the time I’m finished it’s dried and I’m good to go!

When I had my coil fitted they asked if I had the gel and made a face when I said spray… when I asked why the face, the Dr said it was just that the gel is easier to do half doses but that if I was finding the spray ok then it did the same job.

I was offered gel or patch. Told the GP that I swim 6 days a week and they said gel would be better and that was that.

I’m on gel now,I tried patches previously but my skin didn’t like them. I didn’t have any issues with changing and it was my choice to try patches first.

I've only ever been given the option of tablets.

I started off on the gel but found it a bit of a nuisance when travelling with work, my GP happily swapped me to the patches which I used for a couple of years. Unfortunately the adhesive started to give me a horrendous rash so I swapped again to the spray but that didn’t work as well so I’m now back on the gel! My GP was happy to be led by my requests.

I went through this a couple of months ago. I was given a full choice. The GP recommended what she thought was best but was perfectly happy to listen to me expressing other preferences. She just made sure I understood things like side effects of different delivery methods. I had no trouble at all.

I opted for pills. I react to the glue on plasters, and there’s no way on earth I can guarantee the time and energy to apply a gel and wait for it to sink in! Pills whilst I wait for my morning coffee to drip through is much easier for me.

I started on the patches but they kept peeling off so was able to change to tablets & gel which I prefer.

How old are you? This seems very outdated to me...

I started with the gel and then switched to the spray. I love it - so easy and dries almost instantly. I haven’t had any problems getting it through my GP.

I use the spray. There was a period with stock issues (maybe two years ago or so) and they dispensed the gel instead. Only one time and then the spray was back. Been no probs since.

I was told if I needed to go to a particularly high dose then the spray wasn’t recommended, but it’s been fine for me (53, now on continuous so spray and oral progesterone daily).