Any tips for helping oestrogen gel dry more quickly?

[snakeface]

My Dr has upped my estrogen gel to 2mgs a day. Takes ages to dry, any suggestions on how to dry it quicker without affecting its efficacy? Seems no matter how long I wait to put on my trousers, they still stick to it

I use mine at night, just before I go to bed and so just lie on the bed, knees bent, reading a book till it dries, then put my pyjama bottoms on. But in the winter it does take too long and then I use a hairdryer on a cool setting… a tip picked up on mumsnet. I don’t know that it’s advisable to do it that way though. You can also divide it over arms and legs- dries much faster on my arms than legs.

How many pumps is that?
Is it 3?

You can apply to upper outer arms and inner thighs - so you can use both.
Or the BMS suggests splitting the dose morning and evening if that is easier.

I found this video from Dr Louise Newson really helpful when I first started the gel: https://www.newsonhealth.co.uk/how-to-guides/how-to-apply-oestrogel

Essentially you rub it in until it almost feels dry and then wait 5 mins. It’s never sticky when I put clothes on. Only time I don’t love the gel is when we’ve been glamping. That 5 mins on a cold morning felt veerrrry long 😂.

On splitting the dose/bedtime application - if you’ve got the dreaded insomnia I would stick to morning application. When I spoke to a menopause doc about the fact that the insomnia was hard to shift despite HRT she recommended moving away from putting the gel on at night as it can interrupt sleep.

I have a lot of respect for LN but sometimes she gets things wrong.
There is other info online (maybe on the manufacturing site?) which says you must not rub it in that hard. It needs to be left tacky in order to be absorbed (otherwise you're rubbing it into your hands rather than other parts of your body.)

I don't think there is any evidence that estrogen at night keeps you awake. My main symptom was insomnia.
I've split my dose for years, as I feel it gives a more constant supply in the bloodstream, and apply the 2nd dose at bedtime. I do appreciate everyone is different and I'm not 'arguing' for the sake of it, just giving another viewpoint.

I could kiss you. You may have just helped solve my terrible, crushing insomnia. I had no idea it could make it worse (by applying at night).

Oh I really hope this works ❤️ I'm on my knees with exhaustion.

I can’t promise anything but I do know what it feels like to be so deep in the trenches of no sleep and anything is worth a try. I wouldn’t say it cured mine but I have definitely not had lengthy periods of it since I switched to morning application.

Assume you’ve tried magnesium? I throw a vitamin d in as have read it can help . Both taken just before bed. I was also prescribed progesterone to take in the evening (continuously as than intermittent). I’m not sure it made that much difference to the sleep but I don’t want to risk dropping it just in case. And I find going to bed later also helps. I’m currently getting a solid 6 hours per night on average. Occasionally I get 7 hours but it’s rare.

Good luck with it. It’s miserable and can feel without end.

Standing in the cold waiting for gel on both arms and both legs to dry every morning was one of the major reasons I switched to patches.

I put mine on in the morning even before going to the loo etc and it seems to be dry enough after brushing my teeth to get dressed. I tend to wait until my deodorant has dried (roll on) before getting dressed anyway, so this isn't much more to wait for. I do two pumps now, so one on each thigh, but before it was four now, so so both thighs and both upper arms

I prefer to use in the morning. I think the gel affects my sleep and I feel better when I use it in the morning. Hairdryer is a good idea, thanks

Yeah, it will be 3 pumps. Just using up the rest of my sachets before I start.

I didn't realise you could use on arms, I thought gel use wasn't advised above the waistline?

It’s very personal isn’t it- I sleep terribly if I apply it in the morning- something to do with cortisol waking me up I think. Hope you sort the drying quicker issue :-)

I'm reluctant to use at night for sleep issues too. Thanks for the Dr Newson link, I'll have a look at that.
I use a triple magnesium supplement from Amazon and it really seems to help with my insomnia

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D33QVQGP?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

I might try splitting for a week or so, might help, and if it doesn't nothing ventured nothing gained 😊
Thanks for the advice

I've never been offered patches. Are they better than gel or do they come with their own issues?

I'm a morning showerer, so your tip won't work. But you also put on your arms which is also something I haven't tried so that might be another avenue to pursue!

Thanks for all the very interesting messages, I really appreciate all your ideas and tips!!!!

That's what I thought - the gel doesn't need to be rubbed in completely. Otherwise, too much gel is absorbed into your hands.

I always put it on my arms, squirt it on one forearm then use the other forearm to rub it in. Don't use my hands at all.

When I have a morning shower, after drying I rub the gel on first then use my body lotion, trying to avoid where the gel is, and then by the time that's absorbed the gel has dried.

It's worth reading the leaflet in the box of Estrogel @snakeface It's huge leaflet but How To Use is worth reading.

It explains exactly how to use it and where - upper arms and inner thighs. There is no reason why above the waist can't be used. You should not get it directly on your breasts, but once estrogen is in your system it circulates all round the body.

I think there is also a video online produced by them which explains application.

I shower every morning. I apply gel to my upper arms straight after once my skin is dry, clean my teeth and it's dry.

I use half a pump across each arm and half a pump on inner thighs at bedtime after my 2nd shower.

Why do you think you can't use it after a shower @snakeface

It is supposed to be outer, upper arms as they have more fat and fat absorbs the gel better.

I pump it on to the outside of the lid then use that to spread it across my thighs after morning shower. By the time I’ve finished lotioning my body then packed my lunch, it’s dry. About ten minutes.

And it's definitely alright to use on arms?

Agree and I cant abide anything tacky on my skin
Patches all the way