Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Well, I got my first prescription today for estradiol patches and Spironolactone. I wonder if anyone has any hits on where best to put the patches so they don't come off. I have to put on two patched a week. I also understand that Spironolactone can cause electrolyte imbalances. Is there a way to prevent that side affect?

FYI I was doing herbal HRT and found that even though I got some results, the body kept fighting back so I had to take more and more pills. It got expensive and self medicating is dangerous.

I use a Sandoz patch, it's a swap for the Vivelle dot I was prescribed. Twice a week on the abdomen or buttock. I can't see back there, so I alternate left to right about an inch below the level of my navel. Innie for those wondering!  :laugh:

Hugs, Devlyn

I have never used patches but I suspect the insert with the patches may offer some suggestions. You will want to put them where there is a minimal amount of skin stretching. As for Spiro, you will want to consume plenty of water and table salt. You should restrict your potassium intake as your body will tend to retain it. Potassium can be found in salt substitute, oranges/citrus , bananas and potatoes. It wouldn't hurt to have a book or app that you can look up food values so you can learn which foods have issues. 

    I put mine on either side of my tummy a little above the belt line when I was doing them. As Dena pointed out the circular received has suggestions when and how to apply them. You can also find the information online.

I place mine on my buttocks, a little above my sit bone point.  I too and using the Sandoz patches and they stay on 99.9% of the time.  Once in a while, I have one stick to my panties and peel, but I figured out why.  I have been using them for almost a year and a half and found that there is adhesive that has worked in to the weave of the pantiel materiale.  It will stick to the outside of the patch and that starts it to peeling on the edge.

My endo explained that the buttocks are the least 'sweatish' area and so the patches tend to stay put, even with heavy physical activity.

Just my observations and experience.

Congratulations, BTW!

I wear mine on the abdomen, just below the belly button.  I alternate left, middle and right.  That allows each spot to recover for a week before being re-used.

I change mine Friday mornings and Monday evenings.  I have had no problems with sticking, even in the shower.

Wear on abdomen as well.

I found that putting them on after I've showered (and skin dried) it works pretty well.

If I'm not just out of the shower I will use alcohol prep pads, and wash my hands with plain old soap (no moisturizer etc). The two times I've had them fall of was when my skin wasn't clean on abs and my hands were oily.

I use baby oil to remove them. Still requires some scrubbing but not as much scrubbing that would otherwise be required.

I have huge issues with electrolytes and spiro.

I finally got a product off Amazon called lyteshow. Basically what's in gatorade but in a bottle. Just squeeze a few drops into water


Electrolyte Concentrate for Rapid Rehydration - NO Sugars, NO Additives - 40 Servings (With Magnesium, Potassium, Zinc) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EISFBYA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_UtGYybQF4HVEW



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

On Spiro, it's best not to take anything that contains added potassium. Studies have shown with some patches, absorption is best when applied to buttocks although the difference is not much compared to abdomen.

Quote from: KayXo on March 16, 2017, 08:07:22 AM
On Spiro, it's best not to take anything that contains added potassium. Studies have shown with some patches, absorption is best when applied to buttocks although the difference is not much compared to abdomen.

The potassium tip is noteworthy. All of my electrolytes are low. I end up using that lyteshow in addition to supplanting salt every day. Though my issues are exasperated by other meds and a ketogenic diet.
Thanks for pointing that out

My wife put's my patches about an inch above my bum offset to the side and alternate sides each time.
I found the patch's do come off but it vary's from patch to patch, my doctors have me on Evorel and these hardly fall off.

Hope this helps. x

I'm on the minivelle patch and I typically put it on my shoulderblades. They tend to stay on pretty well :) Congrats on starting HRT! These are powerful medicines so be careful.

Quote from: Dena on March 14, 2017, 05:58:08 PM
I have never used patches but I suspect the insert with the patches may offer some suggestions. You will want to put them where there is a minimal amount of skin stretching. As for Spiro, you will want to consume plenty of water and table salt. You should restrict your potassium intake as your body will tend to retain it. Potassium can be found in salt substitute, oranges/citrus , bananas and potatoes. It wouldn't hurt to have a book or app that you can look up food values so you can learn which foods have issues.

Eat at least one or two bananas a day. And get a blood pressure machine, and watch your pressure at least twice a month. Putting the patch on a fatty area is usually best, because the meds will absorb best in that kind of fleshy area. Avoid any area that bears a lot of friction, or sweat.

Sent from my LG-H820 using Tapatalk

Quote from: CharleeGrrl on March 26, 2017, 04:05:35 PM
Eat at least one or two bananas a day. And get a blood pressure machine, and watch your pressure at least twice a month. Putting the patch on a fatty area is usually best, because the meds will absorb best in that kind of fleshy area. Avoid any area that bears a lot of friction, or sweat.

Sent from my LG-H820 using Tapatalk

Be very careful about this advice, excessive potassium in the body results in Cardiac arrest. It's one of the drugs that's used for execution. It is good advice if you are not on Spiro because the body will remove the excess but Spiro retains potassium.

Ingesting excess potassium while prescribed Spiro is probably best to be avoided.  I used to eat a banana a day when I was cycling a lot as it helped with cramping when out on rides.  My endo asked if I ate bananas and when I told her daily, she advised I cut that back while using our chosen anti androgen.

Watch what fruits you eat. The occasional banana won't kill you but they can't be a habit.
And I place patches on my butt. I had trouble with the 7 day patches as they are very big and don't stick well. The small twice a week patches stuck much better.
But on the butt seemed best for me

After a couple months on twice a week patches, I've only had one that didn't stick well, and that was my fault. I wrinkled it up and  got it stuck to itself, then unfolded it. That one I covered with a strip of medical tape.

All the rest have stuck perfectly. I have to use a little rubbing alcohol and a Q-tip or cotton ball to remove the little "frame" of adhesive left behind.

Hugs, Devlyn

I too am prescribed Evorel patches- no issue at all with  them working loose. I alternate between each buttock twice weekly at the top of the buttock where less stretching occurs.
Make sure the skin is clean and dry- after showering usually.

Hugs
Steph x