Where are the best places for the patch

[bobbisue]

  My Dr will be putting me on an estrogen patch in 2 weeks and I am wondering what the best place would be to apply it I am a mechanic so sweat and grease and chemicals are an issue any advice on this would be welcome

   bobbisue

[Devlyn]

Congrats on the hormones! Mine say abdomen or buttocks. I alternate from left to right about an inch or two below my belly button (an innie) and about three inches off center. I can't see around to my butt, and besides, "what is behind me does not matter." 

Hugs, Devlyn

[Artesia]

My doctor change me to patches, even though I told her they won't stick.  They've been on all of 1 minute and I had to put a Band-Aid over them to keep them on.  I'll try the small of my back next, but will likely have the same results.  Also calling them today to get swapped back to the pills, I don't know how effective they are only half stuck on.

[Laura_Ann]

I have been placing mine on my bum, hips and thighs. trying not to use the same area everytime so I don't get a reaction.

[KathyLauren]

They say abdomen and buttocks are the best places.  I use the abdomen because they are more accessible.  The label says to give any one spot a 7-day rest before re-using it.  So I alternate left, middle, and right.  I am on a 3.5 day patch, so by the time I get back to re-using the same spot, it has been a full 7 days. 

I have only had a couple that didn't stick well. 

[AnneK]

My doctor change me to patches, even though I told her they won't stick.

Try duct tape.   

[Laurie]

For sticking problems try cleaning the area with alcohol first and dry well then apply the patch. It should stick well. I may loosen a little in the shower but will restick once it dries under it.. I was using 7 day patches and didn't have much of an issue.

  Hugs,
    Laurie

[Pisces228]

I used nicotine patches in the past and had to clean my skin with alcohol first and really press it down for a few minutes to make it stick all day.  Maybe alcohol first would help with hrt patches as well?

[bobbisue]

    Thanks for the help I will be trying out the advice in just over a week yahoo

   bobbisue

[Jan]

I alternate left and right hips....works just fine

[Lauren20417]

I alternate left and right just below my tummy button.
No real problems - I  just have to avoid long soaks in bubble
bath these days    - although I've found that even when
a patch may lose its stickiness after being soaked, it will
re-adhere once I'm dry and cooled down. Really like this method
of HRT. Convenient and easy for me. Different for other girls I guess.

[Squirebuffy1990]

Patches are better for you than pills.

I put two patches on my hip area or side of my stomach and I've always had good intake.  If you have issues with them sticking you are either putting them on sweaty/stlipperu skin or you are not being careful enough with the application because once they stick to me I struggle to get them off again!

[Cireal]

My doc has me on once a week patches. I place them below the belly button and to the side as already mentioned. I also use Tegaderm clear waterproof bandages to hold them in place. OP mentioned being a mechanic worried about grease and sweat; I'm a auto parts delivery driver, so I come in contact with most of the same fluids a mechanic might. In my experience, the tega protects the patch area just fine, and patch does not come loose at all.  Then at the end of the day, I can take a nice long bath without worrying about it coming loose either!

[bubbles21]

I put them on the upper part of my arm but maybe that's not where they should go lol I think i shall try putting them on my belly next time i reapply the patches. Great suggestions here thanks everyone.

hugs x

[KayXo]

Buttocks yield slightly higher levels, according to studies.