It is definitely the oestrogel to blame. Despite everyone insisting that it is the same as the 'old' oestrogel, it just isn't.
I, too, noticed a difference when it changed for me back in November 2023. Not only is there a difference between the 'old' and 'new' bottles, but there is inconsistency between the new bottles themselves.
Estrodose is notoriously weaker than oestrogel. You can ask for oestrogel, but be aware that it may also feel different to what you used before.
That does not mean that estrodose will be of no benefit, but you may need to increase the number of pumps you use, and your GP may not be in agreement with that.
I discussed this with my menopause specialist very recently and she has seen many women complaining about the inconsistency. I think if we stick with oestrogel or estrodose, we need to find a way of managing the inconsistencies (eg increasing pumps when it feels weaker).
In another thread, I posted about the difference between the new bottles with gloss labels, and those with matt labels (more recent). I find the matt label bottles to be more like the old oestrogel in viscosity. Not as watery/runny. It dispenses more smoothly and doesn't spurt out. Comes in the same bottle/pump as the more watery stuff.
So, who knows what is going on?
![Smiley :)](https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/Smileys/extended/smiley.gif)
I contacted Besins, who say it is all the same. But in my experience it ain't. Something is affecting the consistency between products and we have to learn to manage them if oestrogel is the best option for us.
Neither Sandrena nor patches work for me, which is another mystery since surely it should be pretty easy to substitute one form of HRT for another. But Sandrena makes me feel completely wiped out, and patches make me feel anxious and jittery. So oestrogel it is, despite all its ups and downs.
I am glad the menopause specialist gets it.
I also think that those best qualified to comment on this are those who use the stuff every day.