Besins Oestrogel Alternatives

[JackedJen]

Just wondering if anyone else out there has changed from Besins Oestrogel. I am sick and tired of the variability of the batches, I seem to be particularly sensitive to a change. Cursing along feeling good then a new prescription in a different bottle and I’m feeling awful 😫 I had previously been on Evorel patches which I did not like either. Issues with the size and they kept wrinkling.

Has anyone else changed from Oestrogel to Sandrena or even to Lenzetto? I know everyone reacts differently but just wanted to hear other people’s thoughts.

I can only go on my own experience but I've used it for over 15 years and the bottles have changed a few times. Personally, I've not noticed any difference. I try not to get Oestrodose (which I'm not really sure about) but when there have been shortages and supply issues I've accepted it.

The quality of the product shouldn't change because pharma controls are very high and checked thoroughly before batches are released. You could try contacting Besins customer service team and taking it up with them maybe?

I’ve contacted them twice now and they say there are no issues but for me I definitely feel a difference almost like it absorbs differently in that it seems to peak them wear off more quickly. I feel I need 2 pumps of one of the containers and 4 of the other which I have to try and spread evenly throughout the day. It’s a shame as it suits my lifestyle more. A little dubious about the spray as my GP had said a lot of women aren’t keen on it.

Do you have a choice of where to get your supply?
I am not aware of another change in bottle so maybe that's very recent?

You may find that different pharmacies have different stock as it depends on how much they order and dispense.

I live in a small town so I have a choice from 2 pharmacies. It may be a case of just adjusting my dose depending on which style of bottle I receive.

Out of interest, what is the use-by date on your new bottles?
They usually have a shelf life of 2 years.
Mine are the cylinder type and were dispensed a month-ish ago.

You could also use an online pharmacy where the choice might be wider. I’ve set one up via the My Gp app as I prefer a particular brand of medication that I wasn’t always able to get locally.

If OP is getting free or an annual HRT payment it won't be possible to buy it except at RRP. Also the bottle shape isn't obvious as the bottle is in a carton and the carton is the same whichever shape. The pharmacist would have to open the packaging to see it.

Ah ok. Sorry to confuse. I don’t pay for my prescriptions so just get my HRT sent to me via the online one.

I have definitely noticed a difference between certain changes of container/manufacture location and many others have shared experiences here. Others have not been affected in the same way.

To me it has felt stable for a while now, but then I’ve consistently had the cylindrical ones with the matt label.

I’ve got a small stash of shiny cylinders if anyone prefers that and can’t get them - let me know and I’ll send them to you. Or anyone who just wants them!

The 2 recent batches I’ve had issues with have expiry dates 09/2028 and 11/2028. They are cylindrical with matt labels.

It’s so strange but I definitely feel much better on the conical shaped bottles. I almost wouldn’t believe it myself but there’s been 3 occasions now that I’ve noticed the difference

The use by dates on mine are the same as yours. I don't know what the labels are- never take any notice of those.

By conical bottles do you mean ones that are flagon shaped?

I'm not an expert on this, but my knowledge of pharma is the packaging can be outsourced to different suppliers, depending on availability and costs, and labels / bottle shape can change, but the actual drug is the same as the manufacturing process is the same regardless of the label.

Talk to the pharmacist- they might be able to offer insights.

I’m in the same boat. My pharmacist has written me off as crazy for refusing to accept specific packaging of oestrogel 😂
don’t know what I’ll do if they don’t give me the Matt ones.

@JackedJen I did try Lenzetto at one point as besins wasn’t working (new packaging). Lenzetto was excellent and worked well but my skin did not like the alcohol being concentrated in one spot (not he spray is focussed to a small spot to ensure it doesn’t spray out into air). Worth a try if it suits you. Also much quicker than gel as there is no rubbing in.

I recently changed from patches to Lenzetto, I think I’m feeling marginally less shit.

The bottles are lined with a collapsible bag, so the shape of the outer bottleis a red herring. The conical bottles were gradually being phased out from about 4 years ago, so if you were still receiving those recently, you had older stock, even if still within shelf life. Every change, including bottle shape has to undergo regulatory approval to demonstrate no change in stability or efficacy.

I used Sandrena for a while when there were Oestrogel supply problems. Its a pain having to faff about not quite certain how much you have squeezed out.

I much prefer the bottle on the left of the photo. I will have a chat with the pharmacist and see what they say. For now I’ll continue with the increased dose of 4 pumps and see how it goes. I have a HRT review with my GP in 2 weeks time so I can discuss options then.

I just changed to patches for that reason.

Yes I do think sachets are a faff as I have them for testosterone. I would just like a clear run of more than a couple of months feeling good. If the other bottles are being phased out then perhaps if I’m on a constant of these ones I’ll eventually settle down

I was on Evorel initially but then changed to gel as they weren’t sticking too well.

@JackedJen The shelf life of the gel is 2 years, so it should be no older than that. The use by date of 2028 means it's been manufactured in 2026.

Manufacturers can sources bottles, paper labels, cartons, from various suppliers. But the drug inside has to be the same. Batches are tested and raw materials are also tested before they are used.

The manufacturing process is very thorough with every batch going through strict quality control and signed off by several professionals (chemist or pharmas). If they are negligent with quality, the person signing it off finally can face prison- it's that serious.

I'd be really careful of using 4 pumps. The medical guidance now is that for 4 pumps, women should be considering increasing progesterone, so that ratio is maintained. On sequential they suggest 300mgs x 12/14 days or 200mgs daily on continuous.

Yes I’ll up my Utrogestan accordingly I had to do this the last time I went up to 4 pumps. I understand pharmacy is strictly regulated but I know within myself there is a difference for me from batch to batch. I work in the scientific industry and often quality investigations we conduct into products or methods come out with no root cause. It may well be that I’m going to have to just try a new method and see how I get on.

I’ve seen some hacks to make it stick - exfoliate area, use alcohol wipe, blast with hairdryer. Seems to be sticking. The gel was too haphazard and that was with three pumps - now have 75mg patches.

re: progesterone - I take 100g a day but I also have a mirena and so I’m not worried about needing to take more progesterone.