Oestrogen gel

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