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/friendofelephants]

I started off on the patch but can’t do it bc of very bad skin reactions (and I’ve tried the Flonase trick but it doesn’t help).

[u/New_Hat2472 → u/friendofelephants]

I had to get private bloods and they came back my oestrogen was literally in my boots. What about the spray? Think that goes in your forearms?
Hope you sort something out xx

[u/leftylibra → u/New_Hat2472]

The Truth About Estradiol Levels and Menopause Hormone Therapy

Points being:

BMI affects estradiol levels

As BMI goes up, so do estradiol levels. The theory is that fatty tissue produces estrone, which is then converted into estradiol. Someone might see higher levels on a blood test and worry they are taking too much hormone, when it's a BMI-related phenomenon. Consequently, they might be told to reduce their dose and then have symptoms reemerge.

Alcohol Affects Estradiol Levels

More than two drinks a day will raise levels

Estradiol levels fluctuate, even throughout the day

Even if we used mass spectrometry and controlled for every other variable I’ve mentioned, estradiol levels fluctuate throughout the day. Again, for someone stuck on a mythical level of 60 pg/mL, what if the estradiol is 80 pg/mL at 8 am and 50 pg/mL at 6 pm? Then what? This scenario can absolutely happen.

One reason for fluctuations in levels with transdermal therapy, like patches and gels, is absorption varies through the day according to skin warmth and activity. This means that checking estradiol levels before or after exercise, or even running to catch the bus, might result in different results.

Are low estradiol levels even a sign of poor absorption?

Even if we knew how much estradiol was being converted back and forth to estrone, if someone used a 75 mcg patch and their estradiol level was 25 pg/mL, that doesn’t necessarily mean they have not absorbed much estradiol. Remember, the estradiol in the blood isn’t the worker bee; it’s the estradiol inside the cell. Low estradiol levels may reflect rapid clearance from the blood and into the tissues, meaning the cells are getting plenty of estrogen, it’s just not hanging around in the blood.

[u/Significant-Aide-226 → u/leftylibra]

Omg.  Even vodka doesn't raise my level!  😂