Estrogel side effects

[justinhawkinsnavalfluff]

Anyone really struggling with oestrogel side effects? I was on 2 pumps for first 2 months had lots of headaches and very little impact on my menopause symptoms. Now I'm on 3 and I've had the squits for a week. Just me or is this normal?

Why did you increase if you were having side effects? Which progesterone are you on?

Can you explain a bit more- how old are you, have your periods stopped, are you using micronised progesterone or something else?
Are you applying it correctly?

what symptoms did you have?

I had no side effects and have been on it for over 15 years (so that's no help for you, I know.)

However, I was advised by my consultant to start low on half a pump and work upwards until symptoms stopped. (hourly flushes, insomnia.)

The flushes stopped with 1 pump but I needed 2 to help my sleep. I increased slowly over a month.

Maybe something like reducing would work for you and then work upwards?

I have a mirena in as well. I've had that for years. The headaches went away after a month . It was the Dr who suggested I go to 3 (and if needed 4) as so far it hasn't really had any noticeable impact on the menopause symptoms. Seemed sensible at the time but not sure how much longer I can keep going considering the latest side effect!

I apply it to my inside legs so I think that's OK.

What menopause symptoms do you have now? I personally don’t think HRT is a cure all, and I take supplements for some symptoms.

I thought you meant you were having headaches all of the time, after 2 months.

So by moving up to 3 pumps you've had some diarrihea?

You need to give a new dose time to settle but it's worth trying 2.5 pumps- just don't press the nozzle down fully on the pump.

What are your worst symtpoms?

Itching is the worse but also hot flushes particularly the feet, brain fog, impact on libido, increased anxiety, sleep problems and Hot swollen ears. Those are all the worse bits.

Maybe going to 3 pumps is too much.
If you've had some improvement after 2 months on 2 pumps it is worth moving up slowly. Half a pump more for 2-3 weeks then up to 1 more pump.

But those symptoms would be caused by LACK of estrogen? So are you sure 3 pumps is enough??

Any change in dose needs 3 months (in theory) to work- that's standard advice. But the benefit of gel is that unlike patches, you can manage the dose in small increments using half (or less) of one pump each time you increase it.

Thanks all. I agree maybe 3 was a step to far. I'll try 2 and a half and see if that helps.

Hi op. I was up to 3 pumps of estrogel and it just wasn't dealing with the symptoms fully. I was on that for about 2 years. The HRT doctor suggested I try sandrena instead which is still a gel but some women get on better with it and it has definitely worked for me. BTW one of my symptoms was diarrhea, seemed like I had it permanently and now I'm on sandrena, I don't get it anywhere near as often.