Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Liz]

Bit confused..... I've applied my gel to my inner lower arms from wrist to elbow the past two nights and after having trouble sleeping, I've slept much better.  Then I started to stress about the inner arms (albeit the lower half) being too close to my boobs whilst laying down.  I've applied it at least an hour before bed, but it's still concerning me, although I seem to remember reading that Dr Annie Evans advocates applying to the arms.  I think I'm absorbing it better here, but don't want to do anything risky.

Anyone else apply to arms?  Inner thighs didn't seem to work as well for me.  I'm wondering about lower legs if arms aren't advised?

Probably overthinking here (symptom of meno) but would appreciate any thoughts/experiences.

Thanks.

[Dawncam]

Hi Liz - glad you're sleeping better, good news indeed! When I used oestrogel, I got the best absorption from arm application and as a belt and braces measure, I'd apply it 2 hours before bed and wear a long sleeve t-shirt whilst sleeping. It'd be a shame to mess up your new improved sleep pattern so you could continue with arm application until you have the chance to speak to a doc or meno specialist?

Dxx

[Dawncam]

You're also on quite a low dose so that may contribute to anxiety and sleep problems?

Dxx

[Liz]

Thanks Dawn - sounds like a good plan.  I will try that, although I did wonder if legs may work (ie, behind knees) as well.  Not sure I could manage a long sleeved top in bed - normally sleep naked and still get hot lol! Think the night time application is helping though, for sure. 

[Liz]

You're also on quite a low dose so that may contribute to anxiety and sleep problems?

Dxx

Yes, one and a half pumps.  Am trying not to increase if possible as boobs got bigger on the gel and they're big enough already lol.

[Dawncam]

That's low for your age Liz - there's sometimes an increase in boob size initially but it settles down. Also prog is usually a culprit for boob extension - do you take prog? If you're still hit at night, your E level isn't high enough.

Dxx

[Liz]

Yes, I take Utro 200mg days 15-26.  I'm a very small frame so boobies look quite generous on me, I'm only a 30 inch back size (but FF cup lol!)  Don't fancy them getting any bigger tbh!  Am thinking about trying lower leg tonight..... can't see any reason why it wouldn't work as well as arms..... may give it a go.

[Dawncam]

Absolutely. It didn't work for me but died for some. Utro can raise temp so that may be causing you to be hot at night.

Dxx

[elliebean]

I was told to rub mine into either my legs or my lower arms, so usually alienate between them, and depending where I've applied my Testim!

[Hurdity]

Hi Liz

The recommended location for application of transdermal HRT is inconsistent which is puzzling (spreading not rubbing is the official instruction - although I doubt it matters as long as you do one method consistently so as to get as consistent dose as possible) . As far as I recall (but haven't looked them up recently) all the oestrogen patches, together with Sandrena gel recommend application below the waist. Estrogel is alone in saying it can be applied anywhere on arms, shoulders or lower trunk but away from breasts. Trying to find information about transport of oestrogen gel through outer layers of the skin ( as opposed to through the skin to the blood-stream) is difficult and I don't have the time to research this level of detail - although now and again when the subject comes up I have a quick look! So the answer is we just don't know why there is this discrepancy and whether it is a precaution (due to proximity of inner arms and shoulders to the breasts) or just due to differences in absorption. None of the papers I've looked at go into this particular aspect.

There is an interesting in depth discussion about different aspects of gel absorption here which you and other gel users might find interesting:

http://surmeno.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/troubleshooting-gel-hrts.html

It includes the findings that lower systemic levels are obtained when gel is applied to the largest possible area ie spread out as thinly as possible - which I have reported a couple of times in the past.

The article also advocates applying gel in the mornings to fit with our natural circadian rhythms (oestrogen is highest in the morning) - but not quite sure how applying it at a particular time would affect your daily fluctuations as it takes time to be transported and theoeretically reaches a steady state if you keep applying it regularly.

That was the long answer!

Short answer is wrist to elbow are a long way from breast so I wouldn't worry personally, except of course in relation to transfer issue!

Hurdity x

[dangermouse]

Studd advocates arms too.

It's do with fat cells so if you apply to thighs it can sit in the fat cells and not fully absorb. Feet are another option and palms of hand, as really good absorption there but not always practical!

[Liz]

Thanks for all the answers!  Really appreciate everyone's thoughts.  Wow - feet! That sounds interesting.  Wonder if it means on top of the feet or the soles?

[Dawncam]

That's so interesting dangetmouse and completely fits with my low absorption on lower body of oestrogel. Can't believe that about fat cells! Wish someone had mentioned it before - would have saved a lot of bad times for me.

Not to worry, perhaps others will read this and benefit from it.

Thank you and good luck Liz.

Dxx

[Keepgoing]

I go between applying gel to inner thighs and the outer top of arms, I do notice it absorbs quicker on my arms xx

[Charlotte ...]

I seem to be some kind of super absorber, I think I'll move to inner thighs, I've been applying it on my arms.