Has anyone used Estrogel?

[Mikka55]

Has anyone here used estrogel as a hormone replacement?  I hear it is a healthier option cuz its a gel and doesnt go straight to the liver,  and skin absorbs it and deliveeing it to the blood stream.    My only concern is that after a few hours of applying it and its dry.   When I head out I can feel the stickyness sticking to my pants.   My question is is the stickyness ok is it normal?  is the skin still absorbing it?   Even if I apply it in the morning 8am and wait till 9pm i sometimes still feel the stickyness.   I know I have to shower but im afraid ill wash off tue estrogen.   Why is it sticky and am i still absorbing the estrogen? 

[SophieD]

I used oestrogel for about one year, with reasonably good results.  I also had the stickiness you experience; my regimen was to apply twice a day.  I can't answer the technical questions you raise with any authority.  I do recall, I think, that the med's instructions indicated one should not wash for a couple of hours, at least, to allow for absorption.  The test of the effectiveness of absorption, etc, would be the results of blood tests to ensure the med is bringing your estrogen level to the desired range.  Hope that helps.

[AnonyMs]

I used to use it, and never had any stickiness. I probably didn't use it according to the directions, but I'd smear it on my forearm them use that to spread very thinly on my body. It dries really quickly that way. I keep it off my hands so I don't waste it by washing it off or getting it on anyone else.

[Mikka55]

I used oestrogel for about one year, with reasonably good results.  I also had the stickiness you experience; my regimen was to apply twice a day.  I can't answer the technical questions you raise with any authority.  I do recall, I think, that the med's instructions indicated one should not wash for a couple of hours, at least, to allow for absorption.  The test of the effectiveness of absorption, etc, would be the results of blood tests to ensure the med is bringing your estrogen level to the desired range.  Hope that helps.

So you are saying its normal to be a bit sticky?  Even after a few hours.   Even if i wash it off at night,  it still got absorbed. Just a bit paranoid that's all.

[SophieD]

Like Anonyms, I would spread the gel widely in order to keep it thin so it would absorb quickly; i applied to my thighs.  I would sit for at least 15 minutes to let it dry; 30 minutes was better.  Then I would dress and go.  I was living in a very humid environment then, and I tend to sweat readily anyway.  So the gel area would get a bit tacky sometimes during the day.  I would wash when I came home, and the water made the gelled area sticky as I washed it.  Then I would reapply at bed time.  My assumption is that the gel leaves a residue on the skin that gets sticky again when it becomes moist (e.g. sweat or a shower) but that after a couple of hours the estrogen has been absorbed.  Does that make sense?