Hi jefner - as Ladybt said.... here is the long-running thread:
https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,40586.msg692139.html#msg692139 It goes off track from time to time with some irrelevant meanders and almost into the realms of conspiracy but the main message is the same ie as I reported from Besins and subsequently from personal conversations (e-mail exchange) with Dr Louise Newson (who also contacted Besins).
AndieM - the pharmacist you spoke to is correct in that different brands can give you different reactions - but the whole point of this is that they are not different brands nor different formulations - it is a frustrating difference in packaging and name for the same product in different European countries. There is an understandable expectation of difference because of this. Oestrodose is not available as such in UK as a different medicine. If it were different it would have a separate entry under the UK medicines list.
Louise Newson's recommendation is that if women perceive they are different - then ask for the one they prefer.
All of this is covered in detail on that thread ( but ignore the irrelevant parts!).
If you are peri-menopausal then your own hormone levels will vary and even when post-menopausal there can be a reucrrence of symptoms - which could be due to your own hormone levels, the weather (affecting consistency of the gel, temperature of your skin and absorption) or something else.
Some women find that gel specifically is too "strong" due to rapid absorption and high esstradiol peaks soon after giving certain symptoms (I'm not familiar with these!). If this is the case for you and it doesn't resolve, maybe try patches as the dose is more even?
I hope you feel better soon
Hurdity x
