Replacing the hormone oestrogen is a crucial part of all hormone replacement therapy (HRT) because oestrogen is the main driver of symptoms. Estrogen can be taken in many forms, including gels. Gels can be rubbed into the skin in your upper arm or upper thigh.It is used to treat moderate to severe hot flashes and changes in or around the vagina. Like skin patches, gel can be a convenient way of taking HRT. Estrogen gels are usually used alongside replacement progestogen in order to protect the lining of your uterus. If you’ve had a hysterectomy, you don’t normally need replacement progestogen. Progesterone can be taken in the form of tablets or via the Mirena coil.
How effective has estrogen-only gel been for relieving your symptoms?
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I was prescribed the lowest dose gel at 2 pumps a day back in Oct 2019 (I was perimemopausal and had Mirena coil) for increasing moderate hot flushes (2-3 day). I had my hysterectomy (including ovaries and cervix) at the beginning of March this year and it’s only been in the last couple of weeks that the hot flushes had returned, so I’ve increased to 3 pumps a day (2 in the morning and one in the evening) and all is under control again.
Bless you Sam. I had mine last June. All didn’t go as planned and I spent a month in hospital with them rectifying their mistakes. I’m a year on now and feeling much better although fatigued. I hope you get your flushes under control soon x
I have been prescribed the gel and am perimenopausal too with a mirena coil. After one month I am beginning to feel so much better. My low moods and irritability are much improved. I also suffered from bacterial vaginitis which I have never had before. Since starting the gel I haven’t had those symptoms thankfully! So far so good. ?
Hi, I had the mirena coil fitted on Friday and i picked up a prescription for the gel, my doctor said to me start applying the gel in a weeks time, can’t I start applying it straight away my hot flushes are constant and it’s effective my everyday at work, I forgot to ask her why do I have to wait. I don’t think I can wait till next Friday, loraine
I use the gel and I got mirena coil in 2018 I stil feel tired and quite depressed any suggestions at all shoul I try patches or testosterone? Thanks
What dose of gel are you on? Have you spoken to the gp about increasing? Have you had your testosterone levels checked?
Hi Elena I too had the Mirena it’s was too much progesterone and I was so lethargic and depreseed took it out and I lifted within days.
Also the body absorbs alot of estrogen, are you giving yourself 1 week off the gel?
I been on the gel for about a year now. Seemed in the beginning it didn’t help. Then a few weeks and my body adjusted. Now it’s a year later and I’m at the point it’s time to up the gel or change hrt. Mind you I’m 35. I been in menopause for about 2-3 years now. Surgical my choice and I’m glad I did it. Menopause sucks but hey we got each other.
Hi Alesha, I too did a hysterectomy at age 37 and then had to go back and remove my ovaries 3years later due to cysts. Since all this happened I have suffered with debilitating anxiety and depression. Did you have anxiety? And if yes, did the gel help with it?
Just trying to get some hope for this issue ?
I use Oestrogen gel and thank goodness I do! Without the gel I have flushes, awful memory, lethargy, I’m an emotional mess and suffer with anxiety.
The anxiety is still there but not as bad.
I don’t know how I would cope without the gel!!!!
The gel didn’t work for me the patches are much better.
I’ve been on the gel
For several years now but just lately I’m feeling more tired and hotter and my bones are really hurting and I am really restless at night.
I’m sorry to hear that. ? I hope you find another solution soon.
I have used patches and they worked really well for me and alleviated most symptoms Due to a lack of supply I had to switch to the oestrogen gel and oral progesterone tablets for the last 6 month. I find they are not as effective, or as easy to use. Bring back everol patches. Anyone know why they aren’t available now?
My GP told me there was a worldwide shortage as people on other continents are starting to ask for HRT
I am, as we speak, waiting for the chemist to make up a brand prescription of oestrogen gel and progesterone tablets. I’m hoping the HRT will help relief my symptoms and help me feel like me again!
Patches were better but I am allergic to the adhesive so went onto gel. It’s not as effective as the patch and I’m tired, my bones hurt but much better than nothing!
I feel ya! I had the same thing with patches. They caused chemical burns on my skin. Gel is what I’m on now and I swear it’s like I aged 20 years in just the year I been doing just the gel.
I have tried patches and a few other the tablets and the gel is exactly what I need as I can increase the amount I need. The patches and tablets just didn’t have enough Oestrogen and I was really unwell with Fatigue anxiety And brain fog. It has worked wonders!
I’ve been using Oestrogel once a day for 10 months and it has the hot flushes (40+ per day) under control since my surgical Hysterectomy/Oophrectomy
Do you recall how long it took before you started feeling relief?
I started using the gel and tablets a month ago and the cold and hot flashes quickly eased and seem to have stopped but I am exhausted all the time, stiff and painful joints. Is that normal?
I’ve been using oestrogen gel only since a total abdominal clearance, hence surgical menopause, in 2010. I was at 4 pumps daily; maintenance now is 2. I’ll stop using it the day I die.
I’ve had to switch to Sandrena Gel because of shortages of the spray. I’m on 1 x 0.5mg sachet a day which my specialist says is a really low dose – equivalent to one pump of Oestrogel. I have tried to increase it by tiny amounts but it sends my heart racing, gives me terrible nausea and sends my anxiety stratospheric. On this low dose whilst not every symptom has gone, a lot have or are reduced but I’m still shattered, get occasional cold flashes, brain fog and dizzy spells. So frustrating.
The information I’ve read about progesterone it would still have many benefits and not just to protect the living of the womb. I would review this information