best position for estradiol patches

[melanie]

Hello

I would be happy to hear from people who know about the following or have experienced similar, it is much appreciated.

I have read here on the forum that there is scientific evidence that the best place for patches to reach full efficiency is the buttocks.
When I moved from gel to patches one year ago I put them there. Since my levels on patches have been low-ish then, I re-read the patient leaflet which said the patch should be placed on the lower abdomen.

So with the intention on improving things, I started to place the patches on the belly below the waistline about 4 months ago. Since then I have developed a terrible hairloss which doesn't want to get better. Also I just realized last week that I used the same skin area too often. The leaflet says there should be no new patch in a used area for 7 days minimum, in my case it was 3-4 days only. Maybe that has led to the problem.

Im not sure if I should use the buttocks again or continue on the lower abdomen. I also can't understand how a relatively small change in the estradiol supply can lead to such massive hairloss. Its distressing. Im seeing my endocrinologist but this will take a couple of weeks. : (

[Tessa James]

Wow that would be distressing!  I alternate between the upper butt/hips and just above my, wish to be, vulva.  I have found that my patches work and stay on best when not right on the panty or pants/skirt lines where they can get rubbed off.

I have always been on patches and found I typically have lower blood levels that my T sisters on pills or injections but I feel great so I go with it.

I hope you get some better answers from the clinic folks.

[SarahElizabeth1981]

the hair loss could be a rare side effect of the patches you are using. I'm not an expert so you should talk to your doctor but it's not a normal side effect of HRT. You didn't mention what, if anything, you are taking to lower testosterone levels. Hair loss is also a rare side affect of Spironolactone. If you are taking it perhaps some interaction between it and your patches brought it on.

I use the Evra birth control patch and the information says you can put it on the hips, butt or lower abdomen. Or on the upper arms or shoulder. I have a jacuzzi and like lounging in it for a while. So, I put mine on my shoulder and upper arms. I rotate it around and don't use the same spot for at least a week and half. I saw changes after about a month even with my patches on my upper body.

[Miss Lux]

I put it on my upper back side...less chances of peeling off...

[Lucie]

Several endos told me that the most effective place is the buttocks. As for me the results have been quite satisfying so far.

[Angela Drakken]

I always worry about them 'sweating' off. I dont know how true this is though, is it a pretty hardcore adhesive? Bandages dont stay on me at ALL.

[Mariah]

I had pretty descent numbers when placing just below the waistline which is where I was told to place them. Hugs
Mariah

[ainsley]

I've been wearing them for years on my abdomen about where my panties' waistband sits.  That helps keep them stuck.  My prescription plan insisted on issuing me generic brand patches and they would not stick through my runs because I sweat a lot.  I run 4-5 times per week.  So, I have been paying for most of my prescription because I insist on the brand (vivelle-dot) instead of the generic so they will stick, and my prescription carrier doesn't see that as a good enough reason to not substitute.  They obviously know better...    I change mine twice a week, and use a new spot each time.  I kind of just rotate across the area.  If i use the same spot, I get a red nasty.  I am a sensitive skinned girl.

[Tessa James]

I've been wearing them for years on my abdomen about where my panties' waistband sits.  That helps keep them stuck.  My prescription plan insisted on issuing me generic brand patches and they would not stick through my runs because I sweat a lot.  I run 4-5 times per week.  So, I have been paying for most of my prescription because I insist on the brand (vivelle-dot) instead of the generic so they will stick, and my prescription carrier doesn't see that as a good enough reason to not substitute.  They obviously know better...    I change mine twice a week, and use a new spot each time.  I kind of just rotate across the area.  If i use the same spot, I get a red nasty.  I am a sensitive skinned girl.

I share that preference for the Vivelle dot after trying the generics.  I would also recommend use of an adhesive remover and Kendall makes one with aloe extract that is gentle on our sensitive skin.

[melanie]

Thanks for all the answers, thats great : )
I use Estradot, its the same as Vivelle, just marketed under this name in the UK.
This topic was originally posted in the post operative life section, I am post op since 2009.
@SarahElizabeth1981 I don't take anything to lower testosterone since mine is naturally low now.

From what you are saying the new position of the patch might not play such a big role in the problems I currently have. So it must be the too short intervals using the same skin spot I guess. I take care now not to use the same spot for a while.
Does the ability to absorb estradiol through the skin differ significantly in different individuals? I think I have read that here but not sure. That could be the reason for my generally low-ish levels while others have comparably high ones.

[melanie]

Does anyone of you also get strong hairloss from hormonal imbalances caused buy changes in the hormone regimen?
When I change my estradiol medication even slightly, this means weeks or even months of hairloss. I had several of these experiences in the past.
I haven't read about that from any other person here in the forum. Am I the only one who is in that situation and is this a normal response? Im post op by the way.

[melanie]

I should add that my current estrogen level is 181 pmol/L on patches, which seems pretty low to me. Which levels do you achieve on patches?

Mr endo says my E level is alright and within the norm. Personally I felt much better on 400 pmol/L last year on gel. I suppose the hairloss at the moment also comes from this lowish post-menopausal level : ( depressing

[Lucie]

I should add that my current estrogen level is 181 pmol/L on patches, which seems pretty low to me. Which levels do you achieve on patches?

Mr endo says my E level is alright and within the norm. Personally I felt much better on 400 pmol/L last year on gel. I suppose the hairloss at the moment also comes from this lowish post-menopausal level : ( depressing

181 pmol/L is far too low. IMO even 400 pmol/L would be still a bit low in your case given what you say about hair loss and depression. I'd switch to an other endo.
BTW, I am on vivelledot patches, my estradiol level fluctuates in the range 150-200 pg/ml (550-730 pmol/L).