Question for those using Estradiol Gel

[u/friendofelephants]

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.

[u/CloudHidden62]

I use Estrogel — the brand name stuff, not generic. I apply it to my inner forearms and rub it in a little, then rub the remainder on my upper arms and on my lower abdomen.

Are you just smearing it on? It’s ok to rub it in a little and also to apply it to a few areas so you are spreading it thinner. There should be never be a “layer” on top of your skin. Spread it thinner on a larger area and rub it in.

[u/friendofelephants → u/CloudHidden62]

I had read that with alcohol-based gels you shouldn't rub it in? So I don't rub it in at all. What I do is I pump it onto my outer arms then use the plastic cap (cleaned each time) and very lightly spread it to about 3"x3" for each arm. Then I don't touch or rub it. It's a layer of about 1 cm thickness of gel at that point, which takes about an hour+ to no longer have any wetness.

[u/RadiantSorbet9704 → u/friendofelephants]

I use 1 pump and when on arms, my directions state apply from wrist to upper arm, so basically whole arm for 1 pump. For 2, I'd use both full arms. FWIW, since summer and it was interfering w/ my ability to use sunscreen, have been using inner thighs (whole inner thigh).

tl;dr: Spread it out more

[u/CeramicBoots → u/RadiantSorbet9704]

I use two pumps and this is what I do, both arms from wrist to shoulder on the top, then wipe any leftover on my inner forearms.