Davina McCall’s menopause doctor has revealed a surprising hack that tackles 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 tip on how to stop the hands becoming contaminated gel forms of the medicine.
In a video on Instagram Dr Potter, who is a British Menopause Society specialist, describes ‘a hands-free’ method of applying oestrogen gel, which she says is ‘the best way’.
HRT, which mimics the hormones that drop naturally in a woman’s body as a consequence of the menopause, is used by almost two million women in the UK.
Gels contain the female hormone oestrogen which is absorbed through the skin, typically applied to the arms, thighs, abdomen or buttocks.
But after applying it, traces of the gel may remain to the hands which can then be transferred to a partner or child, or even a pet, when a woman touches them.
Dr Naomi Potter (right), a British Menopause Society accredited hormone specialist who has worked with celebrities like Davina McCall (left)on menopause awareness, shared a trick on how to stop your hands becoming contaminated with HRT drugs
For this reason, women who use the gel are advised to wash their hands thoroughly after applying the drug.
While the risk is extremely small, exposing children and men to excess oestrogen could theoretically trigger problems, such as excess breast tissue growth.
Dr Potter shared the neat hack she says he learned from her own patients on how to avoid this risk entirely.
‘Most commonly women push the pump dispenser down onto their hand and rub it in,’ she said in the clip which has been viewed more than 50,000 times.
However, Dr Potter added: ‘One way you can avoid the contamination on your hand is simply by using the top of the Oestrogel [brand of gel] bottle.’
‘You put your dispense dose down on the top of the bottle and then you can apply it.
‘Then let it dry, and your hands are left completely uncontaminated by the additional oestrogen.’
HRT can come in tablets, patches, gels and sprays and several high-profile celebrities, including Penny Lancaster and Ms McCall have spoken about how the drugs have transformed their lives.
According to the NHS, the risk of developing serious side-effects on HRT are ‘very low’, although it can lead to a small increase in breast cancer risk.
Menopause occurs when a woman stops having periods and is no longer able to get pregnant naturally.
It is a normal part of ageing and is marked by levels of the sex hormone oestrogen dropping.
It typically starts between the age of 45 and 55 for most women.
However, it can occur earlier, naturally for a minority of women, and as a result of other health problems and treatments, like those for cancer.
Some women go through this time with few, if any, symptoms. Others suffer from hot flushes, sleeping difficulties, mood swings and brain fog, which can last for months or years and might change over time.
Women are advised to see their GP if their symptoms are severe and disrupt their day-to-day life.
Oestrogel is one brand of oestrogen gel with another, called Sandrena, is offered by the NHS.
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