Oestrogen gel
Oestrogen gel
Oestrogen gel is an increasingly popular form of HRT and works by being applied to the skin and being gradually absorbed into your body. It can be started at low doses and increased as needed, giving the patient some flexibility.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Liz Andrew
BMS Accredited Menopause Doctor
Reviewed: 19/02/2025 Published: 21/02/2025
The Basics of Oestrogen Gel
Oestrogen gel is an increasingly popular form of HRT and works by being applied to the skin and being gradually absorbed into your body. It can be started at low doses and increased as needed, giving the patient some flexibility.
Gels are applied daily, usually in the morning, and allowed to dry fully before dressing. You need to wait at least an hour after application before bathing or swimming.
Like patches, oestrogen gels do not increase your risk of blood clots. If you still have a womb, you have to use these forms of oestrogen replacement in combination with progesterone.
What are the differences between the different Oestrogen gel brands?
Oestrogel is a body identical oestrogen product containing estradiol (which is derived from plants) and delivers a metered dose of oestrogen from a pump.
Easy to use and gentle on the skin, oestrogel is clear and colourless. Your prescribed dose of the gel is applied to the outer upper arms, shoulders or inner thighs every morning and allowed to dry. Each pump contains 64 doses.
Sandrena Gel is similar to oestrogel but comes as sachets in two different strengths so you can choose your dose. There is less quantity of gel for the same dose compared to oestrogel so it can be more practical in higher doses.
It is applied daily to clean, dry skin on the upper outer arms or the inner thighs. It dries within a few minutes, and you must not wash the area where you applied the gel for at least one hour
Learn more about your treatment options
Book a complementary discovery call with our patient expert Jane James. Jane can help you by:
- Explaining the clinical pathway and how oestrogen patches can be prescribed through Menopause Care
- Offering guidance as to whether you may benefit from hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
- Share personal insight and other patient experiences of oestrogen treatment (non-clinical advice)
- Offering compassionate support and a safe, confidential space to openly discuss your concerns
Key information about Oestrogen gel
Oestrogen gel should be applied to a clean, dry, hair-free area of skin for best absorption. The recommended sites are:
- Inner thighs
- Outer arms (shoulder to wrist)
Let the gel dry completely before dressing and avoid washing the area for at least one hour after application.
There is no strong evidence that oestrogen gel causes weight gain. Some women experience mild bloating or fluid retention when starting HRT, but this usually settles over time. In fact, maintaining oestrogen levels may help reduce the increase in abdominal fat often linked to menopause.
Many women start noticing improvements in symptoms like hot flushes, mood, and sleep within a few weeks, but it can take up to three months to feel the full effects. If symptoms persist, the dose may need adjusting.
Both are effective, and the choice depends on personal preference and lifestyle:
- Patches: Provide a steady hormone release, require less daily effort, and may be more convenient for some women.
- Gel: Allows for more dose flexibility and avoids potential skin irritation from patches, but needs to dry before dressing.
Both avoid the digestive system, making them suitable alternatives to oral HRT.
Both work well, but there are some key differences:
- Oestrogen Gel:
- Can be applied to inner thighs or outer arms
- Offers more dose flexibility
- Needs to dry before dressing
- Oestrogen Spray (Lenzetto):
- Quick to apply and dries fast
- Fixed dosing, so less flexible than gel
- Applied to the inner forearm
The best choice depends on your lifestyle and preference—gel allows dose adjustments, while the spray is faster to apply.
Yes, you can apply HRT gel at night. Some women prefer evening application, especially if they want to avoid skin-to-skin transfer to others during the day. Just make sure the gel is fully dry before going to bed
