I was prescribed Estrogen Gel by my gynecologist-endocrinologist a year after the first menopause symptoms appeared. At the time, I was experiencing hot flashes and mood swings, so I was mentally prepared for hormone therapy.
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But before starting hormone therapy, I needed a thorough check-up to ensure it was safe. After all the necessary tests, I was first suggested to start with phytoestrogens, as my blood hormone analysis still showed it was too early for hormone replacement therapy.
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I took isoflavones from soy, sacred vitex, wild yam, and red clover for a year, with regular check-ups every six months. I felt normal, but my estrogen levels were still low, and my follicle-stimulating hormone was high – a clear indication that I needed hormone replacement therapy.
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My doctor prescribed me Estrogen Gel, a transdermal gel that you apply to your skin.
Estrogen GelFrom the manufacturer:
The active ingredient in Estrogen Gel, 17β-estradiol, is chemically and biologically identical to the human endogenous estradiol.
It has an estrogenic effect on major target organs: ovaries, endometrium, vaginal epithelium, breast tissue, urethra, hypothalamus, pituitary gland, liver – similar to the action of endogenous estrogens in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle.
It replenishes estrogen deficiencies in women during menopause and reduces the severity of menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, excessive night sweats, and changes to the urinary tract (atrophic vaginitis, dyspareunia, incontinence), as well as emotional and psychological disturbances.
The clinical effectiveness of Estrogen Gel in treating menopausal symptoms is comparable to that of oral estrogens.
I've noticed that Estradiol helps lower overall cholesterol levels without affecting the ratio of LDL to HDL.
It has a pro-coagulant effect, increasing the synthesis in the liver of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors (II, VII, IX, X), and reducing the concentration of antithrombin III.
Estradiol prevents bone loss associated with natural menopause or oophorectomy.
Bone loss during postmenopause is linked to a decrease in mineral density (BMD) due to estrogen deficiency. The effect of estrogen on BMD is dose-dependent and appears to continue as long as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is being administered. After HRT is discontinued, BMD starts to decrease at the same rate as before the treatment began.
xa0Hormonal medications Estradial gelIngredients per 1g gel:
Active ingredient: estradiol hemihydrate 0.62 mg, equivalent to estradiol 0.62 mg. Excipients: carbomer (carbopol 980) 5.0 mg, tromethamine (triethanolamine) 5.0 mg, ethanol 400 mg, purified water q.s. to 1 g.
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This medication comes in a clear gel form, packaged in a pump bottle with a built-in dosing mechanism. There's a thin nozzle that closes with an additional small cap.
xa0Hormonal medications Estradial gelThe gel is colorless and transparent, with a medium consistency. To dispense the right amount, I press the pump all the way down, and it releases a small amount – just the dosage I need.
Hormonal Medications Estrogele GelI used this product as part of my hormonal regimen, applying it daily from day 5 to 25 of my cycle. I started using it in April and have been applying it consistently for about half a year, with a five-day break in between.
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I began with the lowest dosage - one press - and applied it to my abdomen at first, but it wasn't very convenient since the skin is thicker and takes longer to absorb. So, I started applying it to the inner thigh area, making sure to avoid my chest and genital areas.
Hormonal Medications Estrogele GelThe skin on my thighs is thinner, so the gel absorbs much faster. As soon as I apply it, I can smell the ethanol, which is normal since it contains this ingredient. However, be careful not to apply it to any open wounds, as it can cause a stinging sensation.
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I don't need to massage the gel in - just spreading it across the area with two hands does the trick. Within 2-3 minutes, it's fully absorbed, leaving a slight tackiness behind. I apply the gel only in the evening, after my shower. I try to apply it at the same time every day to maintain a consistent level of estrogen in my blood.
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For those who haven't had a hysterectomy, it's essential to take progesterone alongside estrogen. My endocrinologist prescribed me 200mg of progesterone on the 16th day of my cycle, which I take for exactly 10 days.
Hormonal Supplements Estrogen GelWhen I was taking phytoestrogens, my cycle was irregular, and I had menopause symptoms that I needed to manage. I also took beta-alanine and 5-hydroxytryptophan on top of that. But as soon as I switched to estrogen gel and started applying it regularly with progesterone, my cycle became like clockwork.
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In the first cycle, my body was adjusting to estrogen again, I experienced some unpleasant symptoms before my period, my breasts were swollen, I had PMS symptoms, and I felt irritable. It was like I was transported back to my younger years.
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But after a few months, things got better. My overall feeling improved, and I felt like myself again - young, energetic, and not irritable. The dryness in my vaginal area disappeared, my breasts regained their former size, and my skin looked smoother. It's no wonder they say that as long as you have estrogen, you're still young.
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The manufacturer claims that the gel pack has 64 presses, which meant I should have enough for three cycles, or three months. And that's exactly what happened - the first pack lasted me three cycles, and I just finished the second pack and ordered the third.
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My doctor told me to come back in three months if I didn't feel great, or six months if everything was fine. I'm feeling good, so I'll be back in six months.
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Reviews on progesterone supplements:
When I was researching alternative options for hormonal therapy, I came across some pretty impressive reviews for Italfarmaco S.P.A. Iprenzo. People were raving about the results, and I was curious to see if it lived up to the hype.
Of course, there are plenty of other options out there, like Pradgisan, which seems to be a budget-friendly alternative to some of the other popular brands.
I was also interested in Laboratories Bézen International Urogestan, which claims to help with more than just fertility and menopause symptoms.
Another option I looked into was Solvay Pharma Dufaston, which seems to be a popular choice for regulating menstrual cycles.
But what about the herbal alternatives? I was intrigued by Sibella Klimo, which combines isoflavones with other natural ingredients to support women's health.
I also came across Fit and Joy, a vitamin complex that claims to help women feel younger and more energetic, thanks to its blend of wild yam and other natural ingredients.
And finally, I looked into Red Clover, a herbal supplement that's supposed to have a similar structure to isoflavones.
But one product that really caught my eye was Aquion Mense, which seems to offer a non-hormonal way to support women's health during menopause.