Not absorbing oestrogel

[Redhound]

I've been on 2 pumps of Oestrogel and 1 progesterone tablet since October. Age 56, post-menopausal by about a year or two at rough guess. It seems I am absorbing very little of the gel (going on symptoms & bloods). I am waiting for the nurse to get back to me about this. What is the likely next step to try on the NHS? Is it worth trying another transdermal delivery method if I am not absorbing the gel? I have had ocular migraines in the distant past but not for many years so unsure if oral is an option. Do the NHS offer pellets or injections or am I likely to need to go private? Thanks

I'm on patches, but reckon I get better absorbency on my stomach than on my bum or thighs. Have to tried different areas?

I started on the gel, and I wasn't absorbing it. I was on it for about a year, and my symptoms never totally disappeared. I kept having to go back and tweak it.

Then a nurse told me she didn't think I was absorbing and put me on the patches instead at a lower dose .... and I am now 7 months on and all my symptoms cleared up.

I was on patches and not absorbing so went to gel.
are you rubbing it in properly? Making sure you let it dry?

Thanks for the ideas. I think I am rubbing it in properly etc. I haven't tried applying it to a different area yet. I would be happy to try the patch; however the bloods were so low (74 ppmol) that I am thinking I might be just a non absorber..

I replied to a post similar to yours last week.
Absorption often has a lot to do with how you apply it.
There are some online videos if that helps.

You should apply it thinly- the old leaflets (going back 15 years) used to say use the leaflet as a template for the area to spread the gel. This was bigger than an A4 sheet .

So you need to do 1 pump per arm and maybe go past your elbow, or 1 pump divide between both arms and the same for inner thighs.

I divide one pump between both upper arms. It dries in a minute or two.

Don't dress till it's dry and don't use body lotions etc on the areas you apply the gel.

You won't get anything differently privately. Implants etc aren't recommended as they are very hard to adjust the dose and would need removing.

Thanks for the ideas. I think I am doing all this anyway but I will try a different area.