Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I've been applying two estrogen patches (estradot) every 3.5 days (this doesn't count as discussing dose right?).  I switch the application site each time I change patches.

I've been applying these patches on the area where my thigh connects with the hip (front), but this area becomes immensely itchy and irritated - the patches also are beginning to come off easier.  Is the butt a better place itch-wise?

wow we almost got the same ticker and you started two days before me :O

sorry for not having anything helpful to reply but I felt the emotional need to point this out

I started the patch close to a month ago. I have been putting it just at my hips in the back. Like just below the waist on the fatty part. This means I can't accidentally peal it off easy or anything since i have to try to get to it. I have not noticed itching. Maybe it is interaction with your clothing?

The vivelle / estradot patches are said to be small and stick well.
Skins are different so reaction is individual.
One possibility not known to many docs/endos is to combine a patch with pills. The patch to keep levels steady.

Concerning effectiveness, your skin might play a role... you might look up possible spots and try them... buttocks, lower abdomen, and places on the arm is recommended by some as far as I remember, just look it up, its in the recommendations...  some people said upper buttocks was effective but a bit of a hassle... being careful with clothing.


*hugs*

Hip or just above the butt works well for me.  Where you describe would drive me crazy.

One thing to help with the patches sticking better is to wipe the area with rubbing alcohol first.  Let it dry and then apply the patch, really working it into the skin.

I get that too from my patches; I get itchy and redness from em, where they are placed. I brought it up with my doc and he replied that some people have sensitive skin and that its most likely a reaction from the adhesive of the patch. I had the same problem with another type that I tried before too so in my case, prolly doesn't matter which brand I use, he said, I will still get same problem, but maybe you'd be luckier and switching would help, idk tho, something you can bring up with your doc?

I apply mine to my butt and don't usually have a problem with them staying on, unless I put in wrong spot and it's rubbing on underwear or the top of my pants. 

Quote from: LivingTheDream on February 26, 2016, 02:58:27 PM
I get that too from my patches; I get itchy and redness from em, where they are placed. I brought it up with my doc and he replied that some people have sensitive skin and that its most likely a reaction from the adhesive of the patch. I had the same problem with another type that I tried before too so in my case, prolly doesn't matter which brand I use, he said, I will still get same problem, but maybe you'd be luckier and switching would help, idk tho, something you can bring up with your doc?

I apply mine to my butt and don't usually have a problem with them staying on, unless I put in wrong spot and it's rubbing on underwear or the top of my pants.

Maybe your doc does not know...
there are topical gels, estrogel for example, or gels from compounding pharmacies.
You might discuss with them if they are an alternative, being applied to the skin without the adhesive of a strip.
Some people say they look like a chess board... with marks of the patches...
sensitivity of peoples skins is really different...


*hugs*

Ya I had forgotten bout gels till recently cuz I saw it mentioned somewhere else. I don't believe I remembered about it last time I had spoken to him tho or not.

I was so happy during my last visit with him cuz of my lab results since switching over, that was really all I could think about. I had only been on my current brand for a little bit (was originally prescribed a diff one but changed it cuz didn't like that one) and hadn't really noticed a skin reaction from the current one at the time, wasn't till later that I noticed it.

I'm not due to see him till summer, I'm now thinking bout calling up soon and trying to get in earlier.

Studies have shown slightly better absorption rates on buttocks. It might also cause less skin problems...who knows?!

J Clin Pharmacol. 1996 Nov;36(11):998-1005.

"Mean serum estradiol concentrations were higher after application to the buttocks than after application to the abdomen (19 and 15 pg/mL above baseline, respectively), making the buttocks the preferred site for TDS application."

Menopause. 2000 Sep-Oct;7(5):364-9.

"In summary, the buttocks seem to be an acceptable site for the application for this once-weekly 17-beta estradiol transdermal delivery system. Because the extent of absorption was significantly more for buttock than for abdomen application, this application site may provide an advantage in women who experience menopausal symptoms at the end of the week."

Wow, thanks everyone!  Really helpful responses here.  I think I will apply the patches just above my butt to see what happens.  Hopefully that will help.

And lcleo!  That's actually pretty awesome :) hope things are going well with your transition!