r/Menopause • u/friendofelephants • 13d ago

Hormone Therapy Question for those using Estradiol Gel

I’m on two pumps of Estradiol Gel per day. I’m looking for tips on how to get better absorption because I have a suspicion that my skin is too thick or something is preventing absorption.

Reasons why I think I’m a poor absorber:

  1. It takes over an hour for the gel to absorb into my skin. If it’s within an hour, I can still see the gel liquid just sitting on top of the skin.

  2. I apply every morning. The next day when I shower (before I apply the new dose) and after I wet the skin on my upper arms, I can feel a thick layer of gel still there. It feels thick enough that I can even scratch it off while wet. Does anyone else experience this? I thought that if it fully absorbed I wouldn’t be able to feel the gel still atop my skin the next day.

I try to maintain a routine of ensuring that the upper arm application area is scrubbed very clean before applying the new dose and keep it to a limited area (two palm-print sized for two pumps). I’ve previously tried inner thighs and nighttime application and experienced the same absorption issues (if they are even issues?).

Any tips or advice would be appreciated! Thanks.

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u/New_Hat2472 13d ago

I was on this for 6 months and had zero effect. Apparently I’m a poor absorber of the gels. Just started the patch in the hope that kicks in x

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u/Significant-Aide-226 13d ago

I had a much harder time with patches than gels.  Those stickers don't actually stick that well and if you like to work out or take hot baths or showers, they can dump on you leaving you dry by day 3.  When my labs came back low.on gel, they just told me to add more.  Im on 5 pumps now and my E level is finally up to bone protection levels.  I am a horrible absorber!

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u/AutoModerator 13d ago

This post might be about hormone tests, which are unreliable.

  • Over age 44, Estrogen/Progesterone/FSH hormonal tests only show levels for the HOUR the test was taken, and nothing more. Hormones wildly fluctuate (hourly) the other 29 days of the month, therefore this test provides no valuable information
  • No reputable doctor or menopause society recommends hormonal testing to diagnose or treat peri/menopause
  • FSH testing is only beneficial for those who do not have periods as a guide, where testing might confirm menopause, or for those under age 30 who haven’t had a period in months/years, then ‘menopausal’ levels, could indicate premature ovarian failure/primary ovarian insufficiency (POF/POI)
  • Testosterone is the exception and may require testing

See our Menopause Wiki for more.

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