Oestrogel Pump

What Is Oestrogel?

Oestrogel is a Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for menopausal women. It aims to relieve unpleasant symptoms by replenishing the body with hormones that deplete during menopause.

How Does Oestrogel Work?

By countering the drop in hormone levels, Oestrogel helps to alleviate menopausal symptoms.

Oestrogel is a topical gel dispensed in metered doses from a pump. The pump ensures that each dose is equal, as it only allows a specific amount of gel to be dispensed.

Do I Need HRT If I'm Going Through Menopause?

Menopause is an inevitable life event, marked by the end of menstruation and fertility. It generally occurs in women in their 40s and 50s.

Identifying Menopause

If you are unsure whether you are going through menopause, consult your doctor. Alternatively, you can purchase a Self Check Menopause Test online from Prescription Doctor.

Duration and Symptoms

Menopause symptoms can last between 2 and 10 years. The condition is caused by a drop in oestrogen levels, leading to various symptoms such as:

• Decreased libido (low sex drive)
• Decreased muscle mass
• Headaches
• Hot flushes
• Joint and muscle pain
• Memory and concentration problems
• Mood swings
• Night sweats
• Palpitations
• Recurrent urinary tract infections
• Sleep problems
• Vaginal dryness

Managing Symptoms

For some women, symptoms may be manageable, while others may find them disruptive. If symptoms are causing you distress, consult your doctor.

Consulting Your Doctor for Oestrogel HRT

Your doctor can prescribe a suitable HRT based on your medical history and any other medications you may be taking. Always consult your doctor before purchasing HRT online to ensure it is safe for you.

What You Need to Know Before Using Oestrogel Pump?

Oestrogel Pump is a convenient form of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) that contains 750 mcg of estradiol per actuation. The gel is designed to be absorbed through the skin when spread over a large surface area.

Starting Oestrogel

If you are new to HRT or switching from a period-free HRT treatment, you can begin using Oestrogel at your convenience.

If you are already on a different HRT that includes a menstrual cycle, complete your current medicine pack before switching to Oestrogel.

Application Guidelines

• You must apply the gel yourself. Do not let anyone else apply the gel for you.
• Avoid skin-to-skin contact with your partner for 1 hour after application.
• Do not wash or apply skincare products to the application area for 1 hour after use.

Before using the Oestrogel pump for the first time, it's crucial to prime your pump. Priming ensures that the medicated gel is dispensed correctly and in the right amount.

To prime Oestrogel pump:

1. Remove the cap from the canister
2. Remove the stopper from the spout
3. Depress the plunger a couple of time until the gel is expelled
4. Do not use this initial dose. Discard of it safely using a tissue.

Once your pump is primed, it is ready to use.

To use Oestrogel pump:

1. Remove the cap to reveal the plunger.
2. While holding the canister in one hand and readying your other hand to catch the gel, depress the plunger to expel one measure of the gel. If your doctor has prescribed more, use the amount of gel prescribed by your doctor.
3. Apply the gel to your outer arms and shoulders, or the mid-inner thigh of both legs. Do not apply Oestrogel to the genital area or breasts.
4. Spread the gel over the area.
5. Cover the spout with the included stopper and replace the cap.
6. Wait 5 minutes for the area to dry before covering it with clothes.
7. Always wash your hands with soap and water after using Oestrogel.

You should try to apply Oestrogel at the same time everyday.

If the prescribed amount does not relieve your symptoms, speak to your doctor.

Do not use more or less gel than prescribed without first consulting your doctor.

Understanding Safety Precautions of Oestrogel Pump

You should always read the enclosed patient information leaflet before using Oestrogel for the first time. This leaflet contains important information about the medicine, including how to use and store Oestrogel safely.

You can read the patient information leaflet for Oestrogel online here.

If you have any concerns about any of the information found within the patient information leaflet, speak to your doctor or ask a pharmacist for assistance.

Contraindications

Oestrogel is not suitable for everyone. It's important to speak to your doctor before you buy Oestrogel to ensure that it's safe for you.

Do not take Oestrogel if you:

• are allergic to estradiol or any of the other ingredients listed in the patient information leaflet;
• have a blood clotting disorder (such as protein C, protein S or antithrombin deficiency);
• have a rare inherited blood disorder called porphyria;
• have any unexplained vaginal bleeding;
• have cancer which is sensitive to oestrogens, such as endometrial cancer;
• have excessive thickening of the womb lining (endometrial hyperplasia) which is untreated;
• have or have ever had a blood clot, including in the vein (thrombosis), legs (deep vein thrombosis/DVT) or lungs (pulmonary embolism);
• have or have ever had a liver disease and your liver function tests have not returned to normal;
• have or recently had a disease caused by a blood clot in the arteries, such as a heart attack, stroke or angina;
• have, had or are suspected to have breast cancer.

Some medicines can interfere with the effects of Oestrogel. It is important to inform your doctor of any and all medicines you are currently taking, including those bought over the counter such as health and herbal supplements.

Inform our doctor if you will be using any of the following medicines while using Oestrogel:

• Epilepsy medicines (phenytoin, phenobarbital or carbamazepine)
• HIV medicines (nevirapine, efavirenz, ritonavir or nelfinavir)
• Herbal products containing St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
• Other medicines that affect skin composition (e.g. anti-cancer products)
• Other skin products containing alcohol, including astringents or sunscreens
• Products used to treat warts, acne, dandruff or other skin and scalp conditions
• Skin cleansers containing benzalkonium chloride or sodium lauryl sulphate
• Tuberculosis medicines (rifampicin, rifabutin)

If you are unsure whether Oestrogel is safe for you, consult your doctor or a pharmacist.

Your doctor will be able to assess the safety of Oestrogel based on your medical history.

Side Effects

All medicines have the potential to cause side effects, though not everybody who takes Oestrogel experiences side effects. It's important to familiarise yourself with the potential side effects of your medicine before you take it.

While using Oestrogel, you should remain vigilant of side effects which can develop.

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

• Abnormal or irregular bleeding
• Menstrual periods which are heavier or last longer than usual
• Painful periods
• White or yellow vaginal discharge

Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

• Feeling of weakness
• Increase in the volume of the uterus
• Migraine
• Mood swings
• Vaginal yeast infection (candidiasis)
• Vertigo
• Wind (flatulence)

Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):

• Intolerance to glucose, which may affect your blood sugars
• If you have epilepsy, your symptoms may worsen
• High blood pressure
• Changes in liver function
• Acne
• Unusual production of breast milk
• Anaphylaxis (severe, acute allergic reaction)

This is not a complete list of side effects. Further information regarding the safety of Oestrogen, including a complete list of side effects, can be found within the patient information leaflet which comes enclosed with your treatment.

Oestrogel Pump Allergic Reaction

Do not use Oestrogel if you are allergic to estradiol or any of the other ingredients listed in the patient information leaflet.

Signs of an allergic reaction can include:

• Chest tightening
• Dry, red and cracked skin
• Itchy, red, watery eyes
• Raised, itchy, red rash (hives)
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue and throat
• Tummy pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
• Wheezing or difficulty breathing

Oestrogel Pump During Pregnancy and Breatfeeding

Oestrogel is only indicated for postmenopausal women.

Do not use Oestrogel if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you become pregnant while using Oestrogel, stop using the treatment seek advice from your doctor.

Other Safety Information

Always speak to your doctor before you buy Oestrogel from Prescription Doctor.

Do not use Oestrogel past the expiry date printed on the packaging. The date refers to the last day of the specified month.

Never throw away medicine via household or water waste. Take any unwanted or expired medicine to your local pharmacy and ask them to dispose of it safely on your behalf.

Always store medicine out of sight and reach from children and pets.

Never share your medicine with anybody else, even if they are experiencing the same symptoms or have been diagnosed with the same condition as you.

Special Considerations: If you have had your womb removed in a surgery called a hysterectomy, you can use Oestrogel on its own. However, women who have not had their womb removed will need to take another HRT which contains progestogen to counter the effects of the estradiol found in Oestrogel.

Where Can I Buy Oestrogel Pump Online in the UK?

With Prescription Doctor's trusted online pharmacy, you can buy Oestrogel hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for the menopause following a short online consultation with one of our doctors.

Oestrogel is available in a convenient 80g pump which delivers a specific amount of gel with each actuation.

To begin your order, simply fill out our medical form for our doctor to review. If your order is approved before 3pm, Monday to Friday, our UK based GPhC registered pharmacy will dispense and dispatch your item the same day via a next-day discreet delivery service.

Frequently Asked Questions About Oestrogel Pump

Authored & Reviewed By

Mohamed Imran Lakhi

MPharm - Lead Pharmacist

Imran Lakhi is the superintendent pharmacist and founder at Prescription Doctor. He has been at the core of our team.

Published on: 06/11/2020 Reviewed on: 26/10/2023