Patches or Pills

[TerriT]

I have week long Climara patches and they've been fine. I haven't had any issues with them falling off, but they do get a little dirty around the edges and there is some redness for a day or two after I replace it. I stick it on my hips, because I hope it will do magic there and make them curvier.

[FrancisAnn]

My Estradot patches sure are nice. Almost invisible & they stick through any shower, 3 & 1/2 days before changing. Sure is a lot easier than pills 2 or 3 times a day.

[Christine Eryn]

I first started HRT with injections of E. Shortly after my doctor comboed that up with patches of E. I must say, I hated patches and would never want to take them again. With pills, your doctor can really dial it in and get the maximum effects you want, at least in my case. I get my bloodwork at least twice a year to check my liver amongst other things. I do take gel too, but I found that to be HARSH sometimes.

[anjaq]

I think I am going to try gel again. Those pills seem to have some downsides. I think it may be that it is because they wear off if I take them only once a day, so I wake up at 5 am feeling hot flashes. I think I will try using the gel 2 or 3 times a day instead and see if that improves.

[FrancisAnn]

I just dearly love my patches.

I use an average dosage per day from each patch. They are so easy, small & almost invisible. Mine are changed every 3 & 1/2 days.

I'll never take any more pills for estrogen!

[KabitTarah]

Can all brands/generics of the estradiol pills be taken sublingually?

It's still a ways off for me, but I don't know that patches will be good for me -- I have sensitive skin and lots of hair (though maybe not so much hair by the time I start estrogen.... fingers crossed). Injections I could learn to do myself... but it freaks me out a little.

[V M]

The patches do sound like a rather appealing method, unfortunately I have rather sensitive skin and I get an allergic reaction to adhesives

[FrancisAnn]

The patches do sound like a rather appealing method, unfortunately I have rather sensitive skin and I get an allergic reaction to adhesives

These patches are very small, maybe 3/4 of an inch wide & 1 & 1/2 inches long, tiny little things, clear, almost invisible, they stick like glue, shower all you want. Thank you for all your time to monitor our chatter & please have a great day. Just FYI on these patches.

[Jenna Marie]

Francis Ann : Sounds like you're on the Vivelle Dot, which is also my favorite. So tiny and convenient, and packaged to be changed every 3.5 days so they match what my endo wants me doing anyway.

I've never used anything but patches, but I've had fantastic results, so I'm happy with the method. I'm also so forgetful that even changing the patch twice a week means I have to set an alarm on my cell; I'd NEVER manage to remember pills 2X a day or more.

I also second that it's really important to clean where the patch goes, and wipe down with alcohol first. I was getting terrible rashes by not doing that; as soon as I started scrubbing the skin first, no rash anymore.

Not to mention that now that I'm post-op, it is really handy to be on a method common among menopausal women - I tell doctors that I'm in "surgical menopause" and using one of the standard Vivelle doses for it, and they have no problem understanding that and no awkward questions. (My regular GP knows the full story, but I don't see the need to get into it with eye doctors, allergists, etc. as long as they know the important bit : the medication and why.)

[FrancisAnn]

Jenna Marie, Thank you & I hope you are doing well. It seems that you are.

I just have no idea why I did not use patches long long ago, They were suggested however in those days long ago $ was very thin & I guess pills were cheaper.

Take care, Francis