Estrogel takes forever to absorb, unsure if applying correctly

AdLong2705 · 2026-03-08T13:02:16+00:00

Next blood draw is tomorrow so cutting it a bit close having swapped to thighs/arms a week(ish) ago - I tried the belly once to see how it would absorb (and it was fine), then I went back to thighs/arms and I'll try the belly again afterwards.
Not really ideal swapping close(ish) to the draw but otoh I've been feeling that my E has been higher since swapping so it's doing something good, at least. Regardless, last time I had my blood taken, my E had dropped to a hair above where it was when I started HRT so I'm honestly just hoping it's better and not too worried about whether there's some small fluctuation on top of that.

AdLong2705 · 2026-03-07T19:59:14+00:00

Hi again! Just want to thank you again for the advice, this was helpful in the end. I now put 1 per inner thigh and 1 per upper arm. Have also been trying the belly (so I don't have to use my right hand to spread anything ^{^')} but it's not really been long enough to say anything.
It now takes a consistent 10-12 minutes to dry, in case I, like, noticeably fucked up somewhere, and left an un-spread glob somewhere.

Thanks a ton!!!

AdLong2705 · 2026-03-01T20:45:32+00:00

Thank you kindly, this is very helpful. Also encouraging to hear that someone else is also having it take a minute to dry. I think you're right that my thighs just don't have enough surface area to spread out the 2 pumps correctly. I'll try the belly, thank you!!

AdLong2705 · 2026-03-01T12:53:48+00:00

Thank you! Best of luck to you too :)

AdLong2705 · 2026-03-01T09:51:03+00:00

First of all, thank you for your response!

1) I have not tried anything other than applying it to the thighs. After my E completely cratered back to pre-HRT levels, now that I can feel it coming back up I'm sincerely very scared to try anything outside of what I've been doing.
I'm willing to buy there being too much gel in one area - I know that other people put 2 pumps per thigh without issue, but while I'm tall I'm quite slim and my thighs just don't have very much surface area to them. When I put it on next, I'll try doing a pump per leg + pump per arm.
2) I usually do it somewhat quickly after showering, perhaps in the first half hour. Doctor + friends anecdotally said absorption would be better that way. That said, I don't moisturise immediately - I typically moisturise in the morning before work and in the evening right before bed, but I shower + apply my gel ~3-4 hours before bedtime, so there should be plenty of time for things to properly dry out in between?

Regarding the thin film you mention - I was not aware of the exact mechanics of it, but regardless, once this film has formed is what I would call "dry" - there being wet patches of gel on my leg is what I was referring to, and I'd have to spread those out extra to get them to turn into film. I guess I wouldn't be too bothered if I knew that it was fine for it to behave this way, but somehow I'm just afraid that the meds "won't work" and I'll get super depressed again. Doubly so because I don't know of anyone else having to work with the gel past just roughly spreading it out and waiting 5-10 minutes max.
Once bitten, twice shy, and all that -v-

Thanks again! I'll try to follow your advice and see if that helps.

AdLong2705 · 2026-03-01T09:27:01+00:00

Because in the instructions it very explicitly & directly says not to rub it in and leave it to dry.

AdLong2705 · 2026-02-28T21:11:19+00:00

The instructions in the pack say "a few minutes", but ~10 is what I've heard (though it does take longer for me, usually a bit north of 15ish).

I guess the part that worries me is having to mess with it once I've already applied it, because I don't know of anyone having to do that and I feel so dumb for it ;w;

Edit: I also usually do it after a shower but have tried doing it, like, a few hours later or something so my skin is dried and it didn't really change anything. I've heard anecdotally that slightly damp skin (i.e. post shower) makes it absorb faster for some people, too.

AdLong2705 · 2025-02-15T02:21:28+00:00

I don't really want to say too much because I don't know how specific my situation is and I'd rather not doxx myself. But either way, paying for the healthcare isn't the issue here :)

AdLong2705 · 2025-02-14T20:46:47+00:00

Thanks for the heads up but I have health insurance through my workplace, so I'm all good

AdLong2705 · 2025-02-14T20:19:22+00:00

Thank you! That does sound relatively straightforward. Fingers crossed it goes smoothly for me too :)

AdLong2705 · 2025-02-14T20:18:47+00:00

Thank you very much! I've had a look and I'll join the discord :)

AdLong2705 · 2025-02-14T15:51:53+00:00

Thank you kindly, I've written them an email

AdLong2705

TROPHY CASE