Estradiol Patches - Reducing Chances of Problems?

[Dawn Heart]

I just read another thread that said E pellets reduce risk of CVA, Emboli, etc. I have been prescribed patches. Not sure if I am allowed to give the dosage here, as I know there are certain rules about that. I go to a clinic where my only choices were either what I have now, a shot, or pills.

I know pills have a much higher risk of emboli, CVA, etc. What I CAN say is that I am low - dose E, at least until I actually start it and the doctor can get my levels. I keep wanting to start my HRT since I have it all on hand, but keep having certain set-backs such as a screwed up sleep schedule and lack of substantial exercise from my schedule being all messed up. Each time I schedule the start of my HRT, something interferes, and I hate it because I want to be able to pay attention to my what my body is saying instead of true nonsense happening in life. I know if I can get these issues dealt with properly, I can further reduce my major risks that come with HRT.

Thanks for any information and feedback!   

[Cindy]

Hi,

I'm on implants and very happy with them, I had health problems on pills.

Not sure what your problem is with starting though. You put on a patch and that's it!

As far as general health there are options, you want to live your new life or you don't, make the decision, sorry if that sound rough but that's life.

I remember my endocrinologist telling me, 'I tell my patients to give up smoking or they won't get E, if they take up smoking I'll put them back on T' she has a very high success rate in people changing their smoking habits.

I drank (a lot), I was told if your liver enzymes are as bad as they are now I'm taking you off E. I gave up drinking.

We make our decisions and we walk our own paths.

Again I'm sorry if that is a tough call but it is what we have to deal with.

Cindy

[Jenna Marie]

Patches are as safe as implants and injections; the biggest risk factor is whether a drug has to pass first through the liver before being used by the body (usually, this means it must be digested [=swallowed] first to be effective). All three methods skip the first pass. The downside to patches versus implants is simply that you have to remember to change the patch weekly or more often, whereas implants last for months - but it's better than remembering to take pills twice a day, so there's that.

Also, because patches do not pass through the digestive tract and none of the medication is "wasted" that way, it takes a much lower total amount of E than pills to achieve the same blood levels and results. However, the major patch manufacturers all say that the lower total amount of E does not necessarily mean anything whatsoever about safety; my gut feeling is that it does, but apparently there's not enough data yet to make an official claim.

My endocrinologist chose patches because she says they're simply safer, and I hate needles and surgery.

[Jamie D]

I used a week-long patch, and the only problem I had was some itching from the adhesive.  That was solved by moving it after about 4 days.

[Bardoux]

Quick question on patches, when they crinkle up, does it affect the dosage or absorption rate? I get so worried sometimes when small crinkles and funnels appear on the patch, usually after the first time sitting down after applying the patch. I am concerned that water can get into these areas and wash out the estrogen when i bathe?

The patches still remain well adhesed (word? lol) to the skin, and the crinkles flatten out smooth when i sit down.

[Jenna Marie]

The adhesive is the method of estrogen delivery, so it's not good if *large* stretches of patch come unattached to the skin. However, those little crinkles are normal (because people are bendy) and the manufacturer takes it into account when judging the dose to infuse the patch with. Water getting underneath is also only a problem if it causes the patch to come unattached; otherwise, the worst that will happen is a tiny bit of adhesive plus estrogen will wash off. However, all the patches have an extra cushion built in when it comes to dose, because, again, they assume some will be wasted/unused when it's being used on actual people.

(Basically, they know how much human skin can absorb per minute, and they add in that much plus a little extra just in case - which cannot be used by the person as it exceeds the skin's absorption rate, but is there in case of small incidents like water or chafing, etc.)

If you're really worried, I see a lot of recommendations to cover it with a Tegaderm waterproof patch for showering and bathing. Personally, I never bothered, and never had a problem.

[Jamie D]

Quick question on patches, when they crinkle up, does it affect the dosage or absorption rate? I get so worried sometimes when small crinkles and funnels appear on the patch, usually after the first time sitting down after applying the patch. I am concerned that water can get into these areas and wash out the estrogen when i bathe?

The patches still remain well adhesed (word? lol) to the skin, and the crinkles flatten out smooth when i sit down.

You are supposed to be able to bathe and shower with them on.  I applied them on my butt.  Out of sight, out of mind.

I think "adhesives" "adhere".   

[Bardoux]

The adhesive is the method of estrogen delivery, so it's not good if *large* stretches of patch come unattached to the skin. However, those little crinkles are normal (because people are bendy) and the manufacturer takes it into account when judging the dose to infuse the patch with. Water getting underneath is also only a problem if it causes the patch to come unattached; otherwise, the worst that will happen is a tiny bit of adhesive plus estrogen will wash off. However, all the patches have an extra cushion built in when it comes to dose, because, again, they assume some will be wasted/unused when it's being used on actual people.

(Basically, they know how much human skin can absorb per minute, and they add in that much plus a little extra just in case - which cannot be used by the person as it exceeds the skin's absorption rate, but is there in case of small incidents like water or chafing, etc.)

If you're really worried, I see a lot of recommendations to cover it with a Tegaderm waterproof patch for showering and bathing. Personally, I never bothered, and never had a problem.

Thanks so much Jenna, really informative and certainly put my mind at ease

Jamie - Adhere ofc! One of those Homer Simpson moments hehe

[Shantel]

I've not had any problem with patches crinkling up or coming off. I keep the lawn down below mowed pretty short for the most part and shave a two inch swath just above the business and toward my thigh and apply it there and cover it with a clear breathable piece of surgical tape just for added security. Next week it goes on the other side same place and does it's magic. Originally I had applied it in the center under my belly button, big mistake there's too much activity there with the belt buckle.