Question about Estrogen patch and swimming

[Wendi]

Ok ladies. I've only been using the patch for 2 weeks but I have a question about the patch and water.

We're going on vacation next week and there is a beautiful pool and the ocean to swim in. I'm concerned about being in the water with my patch on.

Should I avoid the water?

Is there a way to cover it so it's waterproof or am I worrying about nothing?

[Jessica]

Ok ladies. I've only been using the patch for 2 weeks but I have a question about the patch and water.

We're going on vacation next week and there is a beautiful pool and the ocean to swim in. I'm concerned about being in the water with my patch on.

Should I avoid the water?

Is there a way to cover it so it's waterproof or am I worrying about nothing?

At about the same point in my transition (2weeks) I was on a family vacation in Hawaii.  Water, water everywhere and not a patch would stick after just a short bit swimming.  I resigned to removing it carefully and resticking it after the skin was dry.
Even now I need to be careful while showering.
Patches may differ by manufacturers on how well they stick.

[JudiBlueEyes]

Make sure the area you stick them to is really clean.  I wipe with witch hazel.  Also using a cover like tagamet clear bandage also helps as it is thin and flexible.  It can be cut larger than needed to provide a good margin. 

Hold your hand over the patch for a while; the heat will help the adhesion of the patch.   

[Jessica]

Make sure the area you stick them to is really clean.  I wipe with witch hazel.  Also using a cover like tagamet clear bandage also helps as it is thin and flexible.  It can be cut larger than needed to provide a good margin. 

Hold your hand over the patch for a while; the heat will help the adhesion of the patch.

My doctor and the manufacturer of my patches say do not put any tape over the patch.

Typically I will wipe the area with 91% isopropyl alcohol and let dry before I apply the patch, but water will make the patch blister and it starts to pucker.  Tight panties have helped.

[Wendi]

Thanks for the replies. The reason I'm concerned is because I had the same experience as you Jessica with the shower. The patch didn't come off but it was close. The first patch was fine.

[Kirsteneklund7]

Keep in mind estrogen gel as an option. It should be readily available and can be applied before bed and not reapplied for 24 hours.

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[Lacy]

I am not sure if it is the brand of patch I use or what, but I can take a long shower and not have any issues with the patch.

I make sure the area is hairless and press firmly on the patch with a few fingers.

I have never gone swimming with it on. I imagine after long enough your skin will get pruned and soft. Mix that with the drag of water during swimming, and I can see that being a bad mix.

[Linde]

I am pretty sure that all patches come from one or two manufacturers who make he base material and the adhesive.  The pharmaceutical companies ad the medication in forme of a micro encapsulated mass into the adhesive.

The adhesive is a version of pressure activated adhesives which reach their maximum adhesion by the initial pressure applied to them.  If the substrate they are applied to is not clean (free of any contamination), the adhesion may fail.  The adhesion will be reduced if the adhesive gets cooled below the targeted application temperature (which, for these patches, is the average temperature of the human body).
The conclusion is that water may coo, down the adhesive to much and bubbling will result (the idea of transdermal delivery of medication was originated in our labs).
I hope that this answers the question about swimming with these patches!

[Wendi]

Good information gals.

I'll make sure the patch is applied to a really clean hair free area. I'm also going to see if I can find some of those waterproof bandages that I could use over the patch. I think I'll try to not spend much time in the water though.

Thanks again for the information.

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[Linde]

Good information gals.

I'll make sure the patch is applied to a really clean hair free area. I'm also going to see if I can find some of those waterproof bandages that I could use over the patch. I think I'll try to not spend much time in the water though.

Thanks again for the information.

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You might want to shop for Tegaderm by 3M.  If you apply this to dry skin over your patch, it should hold pretty well in water.  It is the same stuff used in hospitals for IV dressings (the stuff that hold the IV needle in place).

[Wendi]

Thanks again for all the advice. You girls are so sweet.

I just picked up some 3m Nexcare Tegaderm pads, Band-Aid Water Block large, and Rite Aid waterproof strong strips.

Between the 3 I should be in good shape.

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[Jessica]

My doctor and the manufacturer of my patches say do not put any tape over the patch.

Typically I will wipe the area with 91% isopropyl alcohol and let dry before I apply the patch, but water will make the patch blister and it starts to pucker.  Tight panties have helped.

I thought I had read it, but now I can't find it.  Maybe it was an error on my part.

[JudiBlueEyes]

I looked at mine and also online for manufacturer data and I cannot find anything prohibiting this either. 

There are other brands of tape besides Tagamet that may be less expensive. 

[Dani]

I am a scuba diver and I am in the ocean about once a week or so.

My doctor really wanted to put me on patches because of my age, but when I told her of my water sports, she agreed to prescribe me Estradiol tablets which I take sublingual. Another option is injectable Estradiol.

[Linde]

I am a scuba diver and I am in the ocean about once a week or so.

My doctor really wanted to put me on patches because of my age, but when I told her of my water sports, she agreed to prescribe me Estradiol tablets which I take sublingual. Another option is injectable Estradiol.

I feel our doc did the right thing!  Tegaderm or similar means may keep the patch from falling of, but it will not keep it from bubbling (de-laminating from he skin), The additional adhesives just keep a bubbly patch in place.  The problem is that there is no skin contact at the locations of the bubbles, and a transdermal delivery of the medication will not take place.  This means, the prescribed dose of medication will not be delivered.

After I had my problems with the patches, I also went the sublingual route, and I feel that this is almost as good as a transdermal application, but with way less problems!

[Wendi]

I am a scuba diver and I am in the ocean about once a week or so.

My doctor really wanted to put me on patches because of my age, but when I told her of my water sports, she agreed to prescribe me Estradiol tablets which I take sublingual. Another option is injectable Estradiol.

My Dr. put me on the patch because of a previous heart attack, stents, and pulmonary embolism. Apparently there is less chance of a cardiac event while using patches vs the pill. She didn't mention injections or gel but I wouldn't have time to get them now.

Perhaps I'll spend time wading without the patch below the water line or sit on the edge dangling my legs in the water.