Davina McCall’s menopause doctor has revealed a surprising trick that addresses a little-known risk of using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) drugs.
Dr Naomi Potter, who co-wrote the 2022 book ‘Menopausing’ with Ms McCall, shared the advice on how to prevent hands from getting contaminated in the gel form of the medicine.
In a video on Instagram, British Menopause Society specialist Dr Potter describes a “hands-free” method of applying estrogen gel, which she says is “the best way”.
HRT, which mimics the hormones that naturally drop in a woman’s body as a result of menopause, is used by almost two million women in the UK.
The gels contain the female hormone estrogen which is absorbed through the skin and is usually applied to the arms, thighs, abdomen or buttocks.
But after applying it, traces of the gel may remain on the hands which can then be transmitted to a partner, child or even pet when a woman touches them.
Dr Naomi Potter (right), a British Menopause Society-accredited hormone specialist who has worked with celebrities such as Davina McCall (left) on menopause awareness, shared a trick on how to avoid getting your hands contaminated by medications HRT.
For this reason, women using the gel are recommended to wash their hands thoroughly after applying the medication.
While the risk is extremely small, exposing boys and men to excess estrogen could, in theory, trigger problems such as excessive growth of breast tissue.
Dr. Potter shared the clever trick she says she learned from her own patients on how to avoid this risk entirely.
“The most common thing is for women to put the dispenser in their hand and rub it,” he says in the video, which has been viewed more than 50,000 times.
However, Dr Potter added: “One way to avoid hand contamination is to simply use the top of the Oestrogel (brand of gel) bottle.”
‘You put the dispensed dose at the top of the bottle and then you can apply it.
“Then let it dry and your hands will be completely free of extra estrogen.”
HRT can come in tablets, patches, gels and sprays, and several high-profile celebrities, including Penny Lancaster and McCall, have spoken out about how the drugs have transformed their lives.
According to the NHS, the risk of developing serious side effects with HRT is “very low”, although it may cause a small increase in the risk of breast cancer.
Menopause occurs when a woman stops having periods and can no longer get pregnant naturally.
It is a normal part of aging and is characterized by falling levels of the sex hormone estrogen.
It usually starts between ages 45 and 55 for most women.
However, it can occur sooner, naturally in a minority of women, and as a result of other health problems and treatments, such as cancer.
Some women go through this time with few, if any, symptoms. Others experience hot flashes, difficulty sleeping, mood swings, and brain fog, which can last for months or years and may change over time.
Women are advised to see their GP if their symptoms are severe and disrupt their daily lives.
Oestrogel is one brand of estrogen gel and the NHS offers another, called Sandrena.