30/06/2026
As a doctor, this is something I see again and again in clinic. A patient isn’t responding to HRT oestrogen gel, so the dose gets increased - but no one has actually checked how it’s being applied.
Technique matters just as much as dose.
Here’s what I talk patients through, and the mistakes I see most often:
→ Applying with the hands, then washing them straight after. This can wash off some of the dose before it’s had time to absorb. Use the lid of the applicator provided, or apply using the inner forearms to inner thighs or opposite outer arm.
Apply as a thin layer.
→ Getting dressed before the gel has dried. Clothing can transfer the gel away from the skin. Let it air-dry fully, usually a few minutes, before covering the area. No need to massage in.
→ Using the wrong number of pumps/sachets. Doses are designed around a specific number, guessing or rounding off changes how much you’re actually absorbing.
→ Applying body cream or sun cream straight after. This can dilute the gel or speed up how quickly it’s absorbed/removed, affecting how much actually gets into your system. Apply at least one hour after application.
→ Showering or bathing straight after. Wait at least 1 hour after gel application before you have a bath, shower or swim.
Technique first. Dose second. If you’re not getting the response you expect, this is always worth checking before anything else.
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