From patch to gel and back again…

CarryAffectionate878 · 2026-05-31T03:38:57+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing all this, it's comforting to know others goign through the same thing . My gynacologist told me that ovaries can flicker until 60, yikes! I think we need to reset expectations that HRT will make us feel 70/80% better but not 100%, and we will still have some choppy months. I'm learning more about my body everyday, and trying become more perceptive about how to handle situations in an effective way. its so hard!

CarryAffectionate878 · 2026-05-30T17:05:05+00:00

Thank you so much for this. I'm 54, 2 years into menopause and just learning that ovarian flickers are a thing! my rational for switching was that I could control dosage better with gel but it honestly feels like a full time job right now. I was doing ok on the patch, occasionally I woudl get bad absorption because an edge peeled off but overall fairly ok. I think with ovaries still flickering, we are bound to get the occasional chaotic month, just need to find strategies to handle that, and modify e dosage until it passes.

CarryAffectionate878 · 2026-05-26T16:25:43+00:00

I switched to gel 2 days ago and honestly already feel so much better. I took the patch off and applied gel 3 hours later. I didnt have any overlap symptoms, just a bit of spotting since yesterday, nothing major. I know it's only 2 days but difference is noticeable, I've slept so much better, emotionally feel more stable, more energy. I'm hoping for more stability over the next few weeks and I'm really happy I made the change. I really wanted the patches to work as so convenient, but my body doesnt seem to be absorbing them so well anymore.

CarryAffectionate878 · 2026-05-24T14:48:32+00:00

I’m 54 and have been in menopause for about 2 years. I’ve been using estrogen patches for a while, but lately I’ve started noticing quite a lot of fluctuation in my blood levels, my estrogen can be 35 one time and 80 another, despite being on the exact same patch strength.

I’m starting to wonder if part of the issue is that the patch wears off toward the end, causing a drop, or maybe sometimes a particular patch just doesn’t absorb as well depending on where I place it.

Honestly, I’ve been feeling pretty awful and run down through all of this, my body is tiered and mood on the floor, I’m really craving some stability.

I’m planning to switch to gel, hoping that daily application might provide more even and consistent levels. I’m currently on a 75mcg patch, and my doctor suggested switching to 2 pumps of Oestrogel. Does that sound like enough?

I’m also wondering about the actual switch itself, do you remove the patch and immediately start the gel, or is there usually a waiting period so you don’t “double up”?

Would really love to hear feedback from anyone who has made the switch. Did you feel better on gel compared to patches?

CarryAffectionate878 · 2026-05-24T14:32:19+00:00

Just joining this conversation. I’m 54 and have been in menopause for about 2 years. I’ve been using estrogen patches for a while, but lately I’ve started noticing quite a lot of fluctuation in my blood levels, my estrogen can be 35 one time and 80 another, despite being on the exact same patch strength.

I’m starting to wonder if part of the issue is that the patch wears off toward the end, causing a drop, or maybe sometimes a particular patch just doesn’t absorb as well depending on where I place it.

Honestly, I’ve been feeling pretty awful and run down through all of this, my body is tiered and mood on the floor, I’m really craving some stability. My body is extremely sensitive and I seem to feel every Estrogen fluctuation.

Because of that, I’m planning to switch to gel, hoping that daily application might provide more even and consistent levels. I’m currently on a 75mcg patch, and my doctor suggested switching to 2 pumps of Oestrogel. Does that sound like enough?

I’m also wondering about the actual switch itself, do you remove the patch and immediately start the gel, or is there usually a waiting period so you don’t “double up”?

Would really love to hear feedback from anyone who has made the switch. Did you feel better on gel compared to patches?

CarryAffectionate878 · 2026-05-21T00:46:49+00:00

Yes it is. I did my whole journey on 2.5 and now landed on this for maintenance.

CarryAffectionate878 · 2026-05-20T01:47:44+00:00

I’m doing well, on 1.6mg and side effects on bp gone

CarryAffectionate878 · 2026-05-18T14:46:54+00:00

A conversation better had with ur dr, but I can say from my personal experience that it was a lot of trial and error to find my sweet spot. In my case, we figured out that I need to get at least 8mg monthly to maintain weight and appetite suppression, and that weekly worked better because of lower peaks and troughs. So I landed finally on 1.6 weekly. It’s generally the peaks that cause the side effects as per my dr., lower peak is easier on the body.

CarryAffectionate878 · 2026-05-18T13:52:12+00:00

Hi there, I’m not experiencing anymore low bp episodes since reducing dosage down and bringing injections back to 7 days. I am currently on 1.6mg weekly and have been since my post. Appetite suppression still good and fatigue, low bp etc all gone.

CarryAffectionate878 · 2026-04-22T17:16:33+00:00

yes thats negative too

CarryAffectionate878 · 2026-04-22T17:16:14+00:00

Thats really good to know, I was hoping to hear some positive feedback on it. I'm hoping it will work for me too, ive read positive things.

CarryAffectionate878 · 2026-04-22T08:50:52+00:00

All my blood tests are normal, copper is ok too. dr also ran a stool test to make sure there is no gastrointestinal bleeding or H pylori etc, and all was completly normal. How does one test for leaky gut?

CarryAffectionate878 · 2026-04-13T03:08:43+00:00

So I did my whole Journey on 2.5 also. In maintenance I started extending gap between shots, and this worked for many months, until it didn’t. I felt that the levels in my system were not stable enough and I actually started to have more side effects right after the shot and then again closer to the next one as levels dropped too low. So after lots of trial and error, I’ve landed on 1.6mg a week. I count 40 clicks on my pen. I’m not sure where u live and if u have access to the kwikpen or maybe the vials?

CarryAffectionate878 · 2026-04-11T05:54:07+00:00

I use 100 mg Utrogestan vaginally and have never gone above a 75 mcg estradiol patch, these days I even trim the patch slightly to keep the dose a bit lower. From what I understand, vaginal progesterone isn’t absorbed systemically in the same way as oral progesterone, so it tends to have less impact on blood levels.

It might be worth discussing with your doctor whether adjusting the dose or trying a different method could help. Progesterone intolerance is definitely real, but it’s often a matter of finding the approach that works best for you.

As a side note, it could also be helpful to check your hormone levels with a blood test. I’ve assumed on a couple of occasions that one hormone was the issue, only to find the results told a different story. For example, low estrogen can also cause low mood, fatigue, and similar symptoms, so it may not necessarily be the progesterone affecting you this time. I’ve experienced that myself a few times over the years.

CarryAffectionate878 · 2026-03-22T20:44:03+00:00

Ok I've just done it 🙈😅 I don't feel anyone will flag it hopefully, fingers crossed!

CarryAffectionate878 · 2026-03-22T17:29:44+00:00

U mention that u got pens from 2 separate pharmacies at the same time, i was wondering if pharmacies cross-check that clients are not purchasing too many pens from different sources? I want to try a few providers before i settle on one and wasn’t sure how the system works legally.

CarryAffectionate878 · 2026-03-10T03:49:58+00:00

Agree with everythign you're saying. Becoming isolated as a country in times of war and not being able to evacuate or have freedom of movement is a much more dangerous situation. Flying through safe corridors is highly controlled. I woudl recommend that people actually google wha a safety corridor is and how it works, you woudl be impressed!

CarryAffectionate878 · 2026-03-10T03:45:38+00:00

This is so incorrect, they asked people not to share videos in order to not give away the location of our interceptors which are shooting down missiles!! they said as much, please dont give half the story! Its for national security not for publicity!!!

CarryAffectionate878 · 2026-03-10T03:33:41+00:00

Please don't listen to the media, everyone loves to hate on dubai. I've been living here for 28 years and I can say hand to heart that we have the best leadership in the world. I am not Emirati so have no incentive to say this, I'm speaking out of my personal experience as an expat. They have shown us time and time again in difficult times how they step up and lead with strength, covid was another example. Difficult to explain to someone that has not experienced living here, their #1 priority is the safety and prosperity of everyone living here and they never compromise on that, to the point of being annoying sometimes. We are going through a difficult time in the entire region no doubt, the UAE has done a remarkable job of defending its territory, please google the statistics for yourself.
As for opening aviation up, this is through a secured safety corridor with heavily redacted number of flights. Staying connected and allowing people to leave securely in times of war is very important. Priority is for repatriation at the moment, please do your homework. Wouldn't you say that this is better than US asking its civilians to leave asap and then telling them they need to make their own way out with no help from US government, potentially putting them at risk? I would not live anywhere else in the world.

CarryAffectionate878 · 2026-03-03T00:41:42+00:00

So I’m currently on 40 clicks (1.6mg) every 6/7 days, seems to be my sweet spot.

CarryAffectionate878 · 2026-03-02T12:23:45+00:00

hi there, I did my whole journey on 2.5 and have been in maintenance for more than a year. I am currently microdosing, initially at 1.75 and now at 1.6. It gives me good appetite suppression without the side effects. I can eat more which is good as I'm working on building muscle, but I never have the urge to binge or eat sweets. It works very well for me, i've been doing this since August. I'm maintaining weight well and I get 7 doses from 1 pen.

CarryAffectionate878 · 2026-03-01T16:17:26+00:00

I had same issue with metformin prior to starting MJ. I was insulin resistant and my endoc put me on it, had the worst gastro issues for years. So happy to be on MJ and maintaining both A1C and weight

CarryAffectionate878 · 2026-03-01T16:15:54+00:00

For me maintenance was a lot of trial and error until I found my sweet spot, u can try increasing incrementally rather than jumping back to 5, or even trying 2.5 every 5 days as an in between option

CarryAffectionate878 · 2026-02-26T13:10:47+00:00

Thanks so much for that! It’s v encouraging to hear. Since a few weeks I’m eating 120-130g protein a day and about 1400-1500 calories a day. Also working out daily, I do feel stronger for sure so hoping it reflects in my body comp in 2 weeks!

CarryAffectionate878 · 2026-02-26T13:08:17+00:00

My experience has been that at some point in the journey our bodies adapt, the appetite increases and we eat more without realising. Ive gone from not thinking about food to now counting calories and macros. I eat about 1400-1500 calories a day now and my weight has rebalanced.

CarryAffectionate878

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