Estrogen Patch Fell Off - Tips?

[Dana_W]

Hey all,

I just started on estrogen patches recently. And for the most part they stay on fine. I can shower and sleep with them on, etc. But this morning as I was getting ready for the shower I noticed I had lost one, presumably from tossing and turning in my sleep. I put another one on, and figure I can readjust my schedule to stretch out the remaining patches until my next doctor appointment but... these things are expensive, so I can't really afford to have them randomly falling off very often. Are there any tips out there from those with some experience how to avoid this?

[LordKAT]

Be sure to not place them where you have a belt or tight  clothing  on them. Be real sure to seal the edges of the patches to your skin evenly and thoroughly. Do not place them where your skin has a natural fold or crease.


Beyond that, I don't know.

[Mister]

Before you put on a patch, shave the area.  wait until area is completely dry and press patch into skin w/ palm for at least 30 seconds.  if patch starts to curl up at corners, tape them down with paper tape.

[V M]

Duct tape cures everything and is great for removing unwanted hair 

But seriously, sometimes things that should stick, don't. Especially in summer. But yeah, make sure the area is dry and hair free when you apply the patches. You can also center a large bandage over the patch or use medical tape. A friend of mine kept wearing a bandage on his arm. We wondered what kind of injury. No injury, he just didn't want use to know he was wearing nicotine patches 

[Audrey]

i had that problem but it was caused by my super sensitive skin reacting to the adhesive.  the skin would weep causing the patch to come off.  needless to say im not on patches anymore.

[Hannah]

I used them at first, and had to use medical tape to make them stick. It felt icky and gooey and just all around very unappealing. After a couple weeks of that I decided to hell with it and went back to the doc for estradiol tablets.

A while back someone was talking about implantable estradiol pellets and that had me intrigued, but nothing ever really came of it. I wonder how they are working out for those girls.

[GinaDouglas]

The literature says that people can initially have difficulties with the patches, that subside as the body gets used to them.  I got some pretty annoying rashes at first, but I have no problem now.

The Physician's Desk Reference entry for Climara patches sites a couple studies that show that the most effective location for the patch (in terms of optimum absorption of estrogen) is on the upper buttocks, and the second best is the lower abdomen.  With both of these locations, underwear prevents them from being abraded off by clothing.

[katherine]

I've just started using Climara, as recommended on the upper buttocks area.  I exercise regularly and work up quite a sweat.  Even with that and a shower it has stayed in place....so far.  When I applied my first one I accidentally folded over the top edge just a bit.  I used surgical tape from my first aid kit to seal it.  It worked great.  I imagine 4 small strips on the edges might keep it in place for you.