Davina McCall’s menopause doctor has revealed a surprising hack that addresses a little-known risk of using hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Dr. Naomi Potter, who co-wrote the 2022 book “Menopausing” with Ms. McCall, shared the tip on how to prevent hands from becoming contaminated with gel forms of the medicine.
In a video on Instagram, Dr. Potter, a specialist from the British Menopause Society, ‘a hands-free’ method of applying estrogen gel, which she says is ‘the best way’.
HRT, which mimics the hormones that naturally enter a woman’s body as a result of menopause, is used by almost two million women in Britain.
Gels contain the female hormone estrogen that is absorbed through the skin, usually applied to the arms, thighs, abdomen or buttocks.
But after application, traces of the gel may remain on the hands, which can then be transferred to a partner or child, or even to a pet, when a woman touches them.
Dr. Naomi Potter (right), a British Menopause Society-accredited hormone specialist who has worked with celebrities including Davina McCall (left) to raise menopause awareness, shared a trick to avoid getting your hands contaminated with HRT drugs
For this reason, women using the gel are advised to wash their hands thoroughly after applying the medication.
Although the risk is extremely small, exposing children and men to excess estrogen could theoretically cause problems such as excessive growth of breast tissue.
Dr. Potter shared the handy hack she said she learned from her own patients on how to avoid this risk entirely.
“Usually women push the pump dispenser onto their hand and rub it,” she said in the clip that has been viewed more than 50,000 times.
Dr. However, Potter added: ‘One way you can avoid contaminating your hand is simply by using the top of the bottle of Oestrogel (brand or gel).’
‘You put your dosage on the top of the bottle and then you can apply it.
‘Then let it dry, and your hands will be completely uncontaminated by the extra estrogen.’
HRT can be available in the form of tablets, patches, gels and sprays and several high-profile celebrities, including Penny Lancaster and Mrs McCall, have spoken about how the drugs have changed their lives.
According to the NHS, the risk of developing serious side effects from HRT is ‘very low’, although this may lead to a small increase in the risk of breast cancer.
Menopause occurs when a woman stops menstruating and can no longer become pregnant naturally.
It is a normal part of aging and is characterized by a decrease in the sex hormone estrogen.
In most women, it usually starts between the ages of 45 and 55.
However, it can occur earlier, obviously in a minority of women, and as a result of other health problems and treatments, such as those for cancer.
Some women go through this period with few or no symptoms. Others experience hot flashes, sleep problems, mood swings and brain fog, which can last for months or years and change over time.
Women are advised to see their GP if their symptoms are severe and interfering with their daily life.
Oestrogel is one brand of estrogen gel and another, called Sandrena, is offered by the NHS.