Hi there you smart, knowledgeable women!!
I am taking Estrogel---one push of the pump in the mid afternoon. I was taking only 1/2 of a push but have been experiencing horrible itchy/burning in my private parts and still have fragmented sleep--waking up often and having difficulty falling asleeep so my GYN said to increase the Estrogel to one full pump. Plus she also prescribed Estrace vaginal cream which I am waiting to fill. I also take test. cream three times a week and cycle in P every for 10 days every other month. So--my questions is this: How much is too much? Is .75 mg. of estradiol plus some estrace vaginal cream too much or is it a moderate amount? I just don't want to OD on estradiol--plus I'm afraid that the more you use the more you need. I use to be fine with 1/2 of a push--now that dose does not seem to be working. Any feedback?
Full Version: what is a moderate amount for estradiol
Hi Avalina,
Good question's! I have been using estrogel for 4 years now. I started it in peri and it seemed at that time in my life I needed more estrogel to fight the symptons. I was using one pump every morning and one pump every night. Some days I even added an extra half pump in the afternoons. Then this year I went 10 months w/o a period and found that I could lower down to one pump daily and it was still keeping my hot flashes at bay.
I figured that now I am almost to menopause, I wanted to lower the risk and use only one pump a day. If I have a super busy schedule, I may add another half pump to help me with energy, but I don't do it often anymore. I have T cream also, but use it only about 3x per month, as I seem to get side effects quickly on that stuff.
I rarely use any P, because I feel so awful on it. I had an ultra sound done on my uterus just in case and all is well so far, I just figure I need to have a period ( with P or naturally) at least 2x per year to feel safe.
In my own experience, I think 1 pump is basic and not too much. I know several women who use 4 pumps per day to feel normal. So each women is very different in what makes them feel better. But the lower the amount probably the less risk.
I had my estrogen levels checked during the time when I was using 2 pumps per day and my number was 92. That is just very mid range for someone who supplements. Not very high and not super low, probably why I was feeling okay most of the time. I would use more, cause I like the energy it gives me, but my ultimate goal is to stay at only 1 pump and then eventually wean off it perhaps in another year.
I hope this info sheds some light, take care.
Juliann
Good question's! I have been using estrogel for 4 years now. I started it in peri and it seemed at that time in my life I needed more estrogel to fight the symptons. I was using one pump every morning and one pump every night. Some days I even added an extra half pump in the afternoons. Then this year I went 10 months w/o a period and found that I could lower down to one pump daily and it was still keeping my hot flashes at bay.
I figured that now I am almost to menopause, I wanted to lower the risk and use only one pump a day. If I have a super busy schedule, I may add another half pump to help me with energy, but I don't do it often anymore. I have T cream also, but use it only about 3x per month, as I seem to get side effects quickly on that stuff.
I rarely use any P, because I feel so awful on it. I had an ultra sound done on my uterus just in case and all is well so far, I just figure I need to have a period ( with P or naturally) at least 2x per year to feel safe.
In my own experience, I think 1 pump is basic and not too much. I know several women who use 4 pumps per day to feel normal. So each women is very different in what makes them feel better. But the lower the amount probably the less risk.
I had my estrogen levels checked during the time when I was using 2 pumps per day and my number was 92. That is just very mid range for someone who supplements. Not very high and not super low, probably why I was feeling okay most of the time. I would use more, cause I like the energy it gives me, but my ultimate goal is to stay at only 1 pump and then eventually wean off it perhaps in another year.
I hope this info sheds some light, take care.
Juliann
I take the estrace pill (1 & half 1mg each day) and my levels are running 225 or so. I'm post and feel much better at this level than I did with the estragel at 1 pump a day. So I'd say 1 pump a day is moderate. I'm not sure you can count the vaginal estrace because I think it's only for lubrication, but I know very little about that so maybe someone else can give you more knowledgable info.
HTH
HTH
QUOTE (Juliann @ Nov 5 2009, 01:55 AM) 
Hi Avalina,
Good question's! I have been using estrogel for 4 years now. I started it in peri and it seemed at that time in my life I needed more estrogel to fight the symptons. I was using one pump every morning and one pump every night. Some days I even added an extra half pump in the afternoons. Then this year I went 10 months w/o a period and found that I could lower down to one pump daily and it was still keeping my hot flashes at bay.
I figured that now I am almost to menopause, I wanted to lower the risk and use only one pump a day. If I have a super busy schedule, I may add another half pump to help me with energy, but I don't do it often anymore. I have T cream also, but use it only about 3x per month, as I seem to get side effects quickly on that stuff.
I rarely use any P, because I feel so awful on it. I had an ultra sound done on my uterus just in case and all is well so far, I just figure I need to have a period ( with P or naturally) at least 2x per year to feel safe.
In my own experience, I think 1 pump is basic and not too much. I know several women who use 4 pumps per day to feel normal. So each women is very different in what makes them feel better. But the lower the amount probably the less risk.
I had my estrogen levels checked during the time when I was using 2 pumps per day and my number was 92. That is just very mid range for someone who supplements. Not very high and not super low, probably why I was feeling okay most of the time. I would use more, cause I like the energy it gives me, but my ultimate goal is to stay at only 1 pump and then eventually wean off it perhaps in another year.
I hope this info sheds some light, take care.
Juliann
Good question's! I have been using estrogel for 4 years now. I started it in peri and it seemed at that time in my life I needed more estrogel to fight the symptons. I was using one pump every morning and one pump every night. Some days I even added an extra half pump in the afternoons. Then this year I went 10 months w/o a period and found that I could lower down to one pump daily and it was still keeping my hot flashes at bay.
I figured that now I am almost to menopause, I wanted to lower the risk and use only one pump a day. If I have a super busy schedule, I may add another half pump to help me with energy, but I don't do it often anymore. I have T cream also, but use it only about 3x per month, as I seem to get side effects quickly on that stuff.
I rarely use any P, because I feel so awful on it. I had an ultra sound done on my uterus just in case and all is well so far, I just figure I need to have a period ( with P or naturally) at least 2x per year to feel safe.
In my own experience, I think 1 pump is basic and not too much. I know several women who use 4 pumps per day to feel normal. So each women is very different in what makes them feel better. But the lower the amount probably the less risk.
I had my estrogen levels checked during the time when I was using 2 pumps per day and my number was 92. That is just very mid range for someone who supplements. Not very high and not super low, probably why I was feeling okay most of the time. I would use more, cause I like the energy it gives me, but my ultimate goal is to stay at only 1 pump and then eventually wean off it perhaps in another year.
I hope this info sheds some light, take care.
Juliann
HeyJuliann,
I've been on Estrogel for 4 months now and feel so energized that I can't seem to get adequate sleep at night. It is hit or miss. Does the Estrogel affect you in that way?
Hi Avalina,
Well, insomnia started for me along with peri. My problem was all of a sudden I could NOT fall asleep. Toss and turn. when I added the estrogel, I did notice that I would be more alert, but after using it for 6 months or so, I think my body adjusted. It takes awhile to adjust. You may have to take your dosage before noon, and perhaps take something to help you get sleepy. I had to start taking a small amount of xanax before bed, and it works well for me, no side effects and I feel fine in the morning.
Without sleep, I was feeling too run down, so I had to find something (did not want sleeping pills).
I definately remember that hyper feeling from the E when I first started using it, but it did go away after awhile, I hope this is the same for you.
Juliann
Well, insomnia started for me along with peri. My problem was all of a sudden I could NOT fall asleep. Toss and turn. when I added the estrogel, I did notice that I would be more alert, but after using it for 6 months or so, I think my body adjusted. It takes awhile to adjust. You may have to take your dosage before noon, and perhaps take something to help you get sleepy. I had to start taking a small amount of xanax before bed, and it works well for me, no side effects and I feel fine in the morning.
Without sleep, I was feeling too run down, so I had to find something (did not want sleeping pills).
I definately remember that hyper feeling from the E when I first started using it, but it did go away after awhile, I hope this is the same for you.
Juliann
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