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A Question on E Patches

Started by LizK, October 12, 2017, 09:23:15 PM

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AnonyMs

I've used gel before, but like the patches it didn't absorb very well. Its certainly more pleasant to use than patches.
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KayXo

Quote from: ElizabethK on October 17, 2017, 11:40:45 PM
I have a T cream I use as I no longer produce any and it comes in a measured pump. Is that the same set up with the gels?

The Androgel is not compounded but produced on a large scale for MEN but it can be taken by women too if a really small quantity is used from the packet every day.

QuoteDoes it absorb nicely or leave a residue...

Gel absorbs faster than the cream and within seconds, it's gone, no residue. Amazing...

I am not a medical doctor, nor a scientist - opinions expressed by me on the subject of HRT are merely based on my own review of some of the scientific literature over the last decade or so, on anecdotal evidence from women in various discussion forums that I have come across, and my personal experience

On HRT since early 2004
Post-op since late 2005
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LizK

Quote from: KayXo on October 19, 2017, 08:23:23 AM
The Androgel is not compounded but produced on a large scale for MEN but it can be taken by women too if a really small quantity is used from the packet every day.

Gel absorbs faster than the cream and within seconds, it's gone, no residue. Amazing...

Talking to my Dr yesterday and I asked about the Gel(as a result of your post- thanks) and she was very happy to prescribe. 

Had my first Gel Dose last night...how easy is that...fast simple and free

The suggestion is to use it on the thigh or lower stomach....have you found it makes any difference where you apply it? The Dr didn't seem to think it mattered.

Thanks for the suggestion
Transition Begun 25 September 2015
HRT since 17 May 2016,
Fulltime from 8 March 2017,
GCS 4 December 2018
Voice Surgery 01 February 2019
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KayXo

Quote from: ElizabethK on October 19, 2017, 05:24:50 PMThe suggestion is to use it on the thigh or lower stomach....have you found it makes any difference where you apply it? The Dr didn't seem to think it mattered.

I like to apply it in areas where the skin is thin as these are supposed to give better absorption, like the inner arm, chest, flank, behind the knee. I found absorption (i.e. Androgel) was poor around my shoulder and upper outer arm. My doctor doesn't mind that I apply the Estrogel in the chest area despite recommendations (that aren't scientifically substantiated) not to. Obviously, the skin around the vulva and vagina (and scrotum, penile skin) absorb at a much greater rate but, again, the manufacturer recommends against this because it may cause burning and they want to avoid problems. Some still do it, with or without (not advised) their doctor's consent. I apply it there, with my doctor's consent, find it burns slightly for a few seconds but no big deal, no other drawbacks as far as I can tell.

Whatever you do, be consistent and I find it's best to take a shower before applying to the same area for a second time. I like to rotate. Right now, I apply it to my inner arms and flank in the am, after shower. In the evening, before going to bed, to the chest area and flank (other side). I will sometimes also apply to my buttocks and behind the knee. A small dose is also applied around my vulva and inside the vagina, from what remains in the bottle after those 64 pumps are used up. My doctor is well aware of my application "protocol' so be sure to do whatever you're doing with your doctor's consent and to read the product monograph before using this product.

Oh...and I also make sure to apply it as thinly as possible to the largest area possible as this seems to maximize absorption.

QuoteThanks for the suggestion

My pleasure. :)
I am not a medical doctor, nor a scientist - opinions expressed by me on the subject of HRT are merely based on my own review of some of the scientific literature over the last decade or so, on anecdotal evidence from women in various discussion forums that I have come across, and my personal experience

On HRT since early 2004
Post-op since late 2005
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Izzy Grace

Are there studies on DVT risks with the gel? I want to assume it would be as safe as the patch. I wonder about the shots too. My biggest fear is DVT and crashes. Heard you can do weekly shots to avoid crashes and shots supposedly have (or had) the best "level balance"?
Starting Weight Oct 17: 234#  ♦  Current Weight 190#  ♦  Goal Weight: 155#  ♦  To Go: 35#



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KayXo

Quote from: katiekatt on October 22, 2017, 12:01:02 AMAre there studies on DVT risks with the gel? I want to assume it would be as safe as the patch. I wonder about the shots too. My biggest fear is DVT and crashes. Heard you can do weekly shots to avoid crashes and shots supposedly have (or had) the best "level balance"?

Patches, gels and shots all deliver estrogen NON-ORALLY so, essentially, are the same. In all cases, in studies assessing their effect on coagulation, it was deemed that the risk of DVT was negligible, even when levels increased significantly, even in populations at greater risk. As far as crashes, my experience on injections was that levels peaked and dropped quite quickly, from day 3 at around 2,500 pg/ml to day 5 at around 1,300 pg/ml.  I injected every 5 days.

I am not a medical doctor, nor a scientist - opinions expressed by me on the subject of HRT are merely based on my own review of some of the scientific literature over the last decade or so, on anecdotal evidence from women in various discussion forums that I have come across, and my personal experience

On HRT since early 2004
Post-op since late 2005
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sophie1904

After using patches for around 4 months, I switched to gel and haven't looked back - no awkward residue is the main plus but I've also had more consistent levels since.

I did want to call out that the instructions for the gel explicitly mention *not* putting it on your chest / genital areas - I don't know the reason why but I'm sticking to the instructions (inner thighs / inner arms)
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