Oestrogel Dosage/Direction for Use

Posology: Oestrogel is an estrogen-only product.
Oestrogel should be administered daily on a continuous basis.
For initiation and continuation of treatment of postmenopausal symptoms, the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration should be used.
Use with progestagen: In women with an intact uterus the recommended dose of a progestagen should be administered for at least 12 days of each month, in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations. Unless there is a previous diagnosis of endometriosis, it is not recommended to add a progestagen in hysterectomised women.
Initiation of Therapy: In women who are not currently taking HRT, treatment with estradiol gel can be initiated at once. In women who are currently taking HRT, treatment with estradiol gel can be initiated after completion of the current therapy.
Menopausal symptoms: The usual starting dose is a single ruler measure (2.5g) of Oestrogel once daily (containing 1.5mg estradiol). In the majority of women this dose will provide effective relief of menopausal symptoms. If after one month's treatment effective relief is not obtained, the dosage may be increased accordingly to a maximum of two ruler measures (5g) of Oestrogel daily (containing 3.0mg estradiol).
Prevention of osteoporosis: The minimum effective dose is 2.5g of Oestrogel once daily for most patients.
Method of administration: The gel should be applied by the patient herself to clean, dry, intact areas of skin, e.g. on the abdomen, arms, shoulders and/or inner thighs in the morning or in the evening. The area of application should be as large as possible. Gel does not need to be massaged into skin. Estradiol gel must not be applied to the breasts or mucous surfaces such as the vulval region.
Estradiol gel should be allowed to dry for 2 minutes before covering the skin with clothing.
If the patient forgets to apply a dose, then they should apply it as soon as possible and apply the next dose at the normal time. Forgetting a dose may increase the likelihood of break-through bleeding and spotting.