With its unique mode of administration, Oestrogel easily stands out among the competition. This oestrogen-only hormone replacement therapy (or HRT for short) is available in the form of transdermal gel. Also known as Oestrogel Pump-Pack, this medication is developed and marketed by Beins Healthcare pharmaceutical company within the UK. Its mechanism of action revolves around replenishing the decreasing levels of oestrogen in postmenopausal women. As such, it is commonly prescribed to women struggling with severe menopause symptoms and who had their last period a minimum of six months ago. Studies have shown that Oestrogel is also moderately efficient as a second-line treatment of osteoporosis. As such, it is also prescribed to women who cannot use first-line osteoporosis treatments available in the UK.

What’s on this page?

Each bottle of Oestrogel contains 64 precisely measured doses. The gel itself is completely odourless, non-greasy and will not leave stains on the clothing. As such, it is one of the least invasive continuous HRTs.

Should I use Oestrogel?

This question is best answered by your doctor and will largely depend on your medical profile and history. However, as an oestrogen-only treatment, it is most commonly prescribed to women who have had hysterectomy due to the fact that oestrogen-only HRTs can contribute to excessive thickening of the uterine lining and thus increase the risk of endometria cancer. Despite this, Oestrogel can still be prescribed to women who have not had their wombs removed, provided that additional progesterone treatment is used in parallel.

While menopause is completely natural process that every woman will experience after reaching a certain age, some of them may experience especially prominent symptoms which can begin interfering with their everyday activities. In this situation, the doctor will likely recommend hormone replacement therapy of some kind, with the exact nature of the prescribed HRT depending on numerous other factors.

How does Oestrogel help with menopausal symptoms?

At the root of all uncomfortable symptoms accompanying menopause is the ever-increasing deficiency of oestrogen, female sex hormone. With this in mind, it comes as no surprise that treatments of these symptoms include supplementing the lack of oestrogen by synthetic bioequivalent of the given compound. Oestrogel is no exception. With estradiol, a man-made form of oestrogen, it will efficiently increase the levels of oestrogen in the body, thus considerably diminishing the subjectively experienced symptoms of menopause. Once the gel is rubbed into the skin, it is absorbed into the bloodstream. When using this oestrogen-only HRT, you will also be required to go to regular check-up examinations by your doctor. While HRT gels are not as common as other types of medications, Oestrogel is not completely unique since there are some other treatments such as Sandrena that can also be obtained in the form of a cream.

In addition to this, Oestrogel can also be efficiently used as a preventive osteoporosis treatment in women who are especially susceptible to this condition – for example, if they have a family history of osteoporosis or if the menopause had an unusually early onset.

How is Oestrogel used?

In order to ensure the best possible results when using Oestrogel and at the same time minimise the risk of side effects, you should precisely follow the instructions provided by your doctor or pharmacist. In addition to this, you can also find detailed instructions in the official patient information leaflet that is issued within every pack of Oestrogel.

Below, we will provide you with just the most general guidelines for using this HRT. However, it is important to note that what follows can under no circumstances be used as a substitute to doctor’s advice or official information provided in the patient information leaflet.

  • Always use exactly as instructed
  • Remove the cap from canister and stopper from the spout
  • Press the plunger down several time until gel appears at the nozzle – the pack will then be prepared for use
  • Push the plunger one more to release the measured dose of gel, but discard it
  • Repeat the process and apply the next dose
  • Apply the gel once per day, ideally at around the same time each day
  • Spread the gel over a large area of skin on each shoulder, inner thigh or outer arm
  • Apply to dry and clean area of skin where no injuries are [resent
  • Never use the gel near or on the breasts or genitals
  • Let the gel dry for five minutes before putting clothes on
  • If you forgot to apply the dose, do so as soon as you remember, provided less than 12 hours has passed since your scheduled administration
  • If more than 12 hours has passed, skip the dose and apply the next one as usual, at the scheduled time

What are Oestrogel side effects?

While not everyone using Oestrogel will necessarily experience side effects, it is still important to get familiar with them before you commence treatment. This way, you will be able to differentiate between those side effects which can be rather uncomfortable, but not really dangerous and those which might require you to halt the treatment and immediately contact your doctor or local emergency service.

You should immediately seek medical advice if you notice any signs and symptoms indicative of:

  • Allergic reaction
  • Chest pain
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Swelling or redness in the legs
  • Blood clot
  • Migraines
  • Jaundice
  • Sudden rise of blood pressure
  • Tiredness and dizziness
  • Pregnancy

Other documented side effects include:

Common (1 in 10 users) Uncommon (1 in 100 users) Rare (1 in 1000 users)
·       Fluid retention

·       Weight gain

·       Weight loss

·       Abdominal pains

·       General malaise

·       Breast enlargement

·       Vaginal discharge

·       Vaginal bleeding

·       Womb issues

 

·       Nausea

·       Vertigo

·       Mood disorders

·       Depression

·       Migraines

·       Flatulence

·       Weakness

·       Severe itch

·       Breast lumps

·       Blood clots

·       Glucose intolerance

·       Hypertension

·       Acne

·       Skin discolouration

·       Libido changes

·       Liver problems

·       Epileptic fits

·       Breast discharge

·       Allergic reaction

 

Please keep in mind that this is not a full list of all documented side effects. For a comprehensive overview, please refer to the official patient information leaflet that will be supplied within your pack of Oestrogel.