EstroGel

What is EstroGel prescribed to treat?

EstroGel is prescribed to treat symptoms of the menopause. The menopause describes a natural change that occurs in all women at some time in their lives. It’s where hormone levels change, leading to the end of the menstrual cycle and the ability to get pregnant.

It usually starts between the mid 40s and mid 50s and it can last for a few years. Some women can get premature menopause. This is quite rare but it can occur in women as young as their 20s, with one in 100 women noticing symptoms before the age of 40.

Symptoms of the menopause include hot flushes, insomnia, vaginal dryness, anxiety, foggy headedness and low sex drive. EstroGel contains a form of estrogen called estradiol, which helps manage hormone levels and deal with these symptoms.

EstroGel HRT – a different way of managing your symptoms

EstroGel is a highly effective way of managing your menopausal symptoms. ^[1] EstroGel is different from many menopause treatments because it’s a gel that’s applied to the skin, rather than a patch or tablet.

That means all you have to do is remember to rub it on the skin at regular intervals. This is particularly good if you have any difficulties swallowing tablets.

How does estrogen work during menopause?

The active ingredient in EstroGel is a bioidentical (looks exactly the same as the hormone produced by your body)form of estradiol, a naturally occurring hormone. So what does estrogen do to help manage the symptoms of menopause? During the menopause, estrogen levels slowly start to fall, leading to the symptoms described above. By replacing these hormones, EstroGel helps to relieve menopausal symptoms.

If you’ve had a hysterectomy then you can use EstroGel on its own. If you’ve still got your womb then you’ll need an additional progesterone. You can get this from a Mirena coil (or similar) if you have one fitted, or from a gel or tablet that you take for several days each month.

Combined HRT is likely to be better for you if you haven’t had a hysterectomy.

How to use EstroGel

EstroGel should be used as instructed by your clinician. The first thing you need to do is prime the pump. To do this, press down five times to fully depress the pump. The gel that comes out from this should not be used, simply discard it.

To use the gel, press one pump of gel onto your hand and spread it onto your other arm. Make sure to cover your arm from your wrist to your shoulder with the gel. Don’t rub or massage it in. Allow it to dry for five minutes before covering it. Wash your hands straight away with soap and water. Don’t apply the gel directly to your breast or around your vagina.

The EstroGel canister contains enough pumps for 30 days. This means you’ll have 30 doses, excluding the five primer pumps. If after 30 days, you find there is still some product left, don’t use it, so you might not get the correct dose.

What should I do if I forget to use EstroGel gel?

If you forget to use EstroGel, and it’s less than 12 hours after the scheduled dose, you should apply it as soon as you remember. If it’s 12 hours after the scheduled dose, skip it and carry on as usual.

Never take double the dose to make up for a missed one. Not only is there no advantage to doing this but you can greatly increase your chances of experiencing side effects.

Are there different EstroGel doses?

EstroGel 0.06% is the standard dosage strength, but it can be increased by using more than the usual two pumps, once daily. At the start of treatment, it’s likely you’ll begin with the lowest dose. If it doesn’t work as it should for you, your clinician can increase the dose. You shouldn’t make any adjustments to your treatment yourself without having had a chat with your clinician first.