Yeah, it is irritating. You are not the only one. I think it's just the high viscosity of the oil that's bothersome. I try to smear it on gums in such a way as to avoid any/swallowing much, and I never have it on an empty stomach (nausea the first time I accidentally made that mistake). If you can't solve it by other means, you could try mixing it with a little butter or coconut oil to thin it out a bit? But I haven't tried that so far.Just one more observation, with all progesterone, with this one and the Progest-E. I notice that I get a sore throat after applying to my gums, and a tickle in my throat.How to avoid this?? don't like it, it is irritating to me.