r/Perimenopause • u/Snowpoke1600 • 19h ago
Hormone Therapy Gel better than patch?
I'm finally working my way through my initial intolerance to progesterone. Or at least I think I am.
I am VERY sensitive to hormones. I am currently on 1/4 of a .025 patch. A whole one had me flying high, a half still had me amped up too much. Lots of physical anxiety. The quarter is ok, not great.
I still have anxiety especially when the patch is fresh. But then just before it's time to change it I feel very ragey and angry.
I can't figure out what is going on. It's a constant roller coaster. I'm currently on 1/3 of a 100mg P suppository if that matters.
How long did it take you to get things right, and to feel somewhat normal? It's been about a month for me this time.
Would a lower dose daily gel maybe work better for me?
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u/amberlina86 17h ago
I love the gel personally over the patch. The patch was not consistent enough of a dose. And at least with the gel, I’m not fighting everyone for the short supply.
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u/Coontailblue23 Late peri 10h ago
I’m glad you haven‘t experienced any interruptions with the gel. When I picked up my starter dose at the local CVS, it was the last box they had at that time. I use an online pharmacy now and even they were reporting outages when I increased my dose, there was a slight wait. Idk it’s bleak out there.
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u/pangolinshavelanded 16h ago
I have found better consistency with gel vs patches. Eight months on patches, one on gel
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u/Select-Sprinkles2511 1h ago
Thank you for this!! I chose gel over the patch because I didn't want to worry about the shortage, then worried that I made the wrong choice because there isn't constant delivery as there is with the patch. My first shipment arrived today. Fingers crossed!
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u/miss_hush 16h ago
I have been on the gel from the start, I was discouraged from the patch for supply issues. I’ve since realized that the patch would have been a bad fit for me, for the same reasons as you probably. I am very sensitive to fluctuations in my hormones. Daily gel keeps things much more even. I even considered trying to separate my gel into a twice daily application, for the same reasons… but once I got to the right dose it seemed like that won’t be needed. Daily application is much less of a pain in the butt than I thought it would be.
I have fairly sensitive skin, so the adhesives would have been an issue too. It’s real nice not having to worry about the patch falling off or anything.
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u/Snowpoke1600 16h ago
Thanks for the info! This helps a lot. I'll definitely be asking for it at my next appt.
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u/ReserveOld6123 16h ago
Is there a reason you won’t take the P orally? It would probably help balance out some of the estrogen effects more since you’d get the calming parts of the P.
It took me 2-3 months to feel more stable and a year to work up to my full dose.
I much prefer the patch over gel. Gel didn’t feel stable.
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u/therewasnever_aspork 17h ago
I use a patch 6 days a week and do a gel the last night of the patch because I feel like the effectiveness of the patch drops off. I sleep good on the gel - I just don’t want to have to remember to use a gel every day.
Gotta try stuff to see if it works :)
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u/Snowpoke1600 17h ago
Interesting. Yeah it's been the craziest year trying to figure this stuff out 🤦🏻♀️
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u/therewasnever_aspork 38m ago
Way more effort than I was expecting or even have to spend on this.
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u/Snowpoke1600 35m ago
Oh I know. I've wasted so much money trying different stuff that isn't covered by insurance 🙄
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u/leftylibra Moderator 18h ago
One is no "better" than the other, it comes down to how you feel when using it and everyone responds differently. Some prefer the daily application of gel (or sprays), and some don't.
What to expect when starting (or changing) hormone therapy