How effective is using a patch for HRT? I found with injections my mood was all over the place, my breast growth seemed to be happening VERY quickly and I dont feel ready for large breasts. I'd talked with my doctor about using patches before but she felt it was better for maintaining hormones after the first 3 years not for initial development.
I'd like to bring this up again with her and am looking for more information.
Patches were really never effective to me because I was sensitive to the adhesive, but my levels stayed consistent. Hugs
Mariah
I started on patches and have never used anything else, because I got fantastic results (and I loved the steady levels). I think it varies from person to person, though.
I was using them for years and they were never very effective, which was fine as I wanted that. My endo told me that some people don't absorb estrogen very well from patches.
Patches and gels are supposed to be more effective than pills.
My Doctor agreed so I'm restarting HRT with the patch this time :)
They come in higher doses then I had read of online, and you cant
make 1 to 1 comparisons between the different forms of delivery, so well see.
I started patches 9 mos. ago. The results have not been impressive so far. Every 3 mos. I have had to increase the dosage. I went from one to 2 patches daily in Aug. In Nov. my E# was only 70. No significant feminization. Have increased to 3 patches daily and will test again next week. If my levels are still below 100, I may have to switch to injections as my endo won't prescribe pills for me. Could be that I'm just not absorbing well. I was offered injections as an option last month, but was concerned about the mood swings caused by the constantly fluctuating levels. Someone on the forum mentioned however, that the mood swings are not an issue if one injects weekly as opposed to bi-monthly.
Running out of real estate for additional patches. Will know something definite in a couple of weeks.
I've had good results with patches (levels in the upper 100s), but I do have to use two high dose patches at a time. I think patches are the best option overall as long you react well to them and have good levels. They are less of a hassle to remember, they don't require any needles (I'm not a fan of needles ;)), and they give you relatively stable levels compared to other methods. I do have some tips though, that can help patches work better:
-Get the 3/4 day patches. This is very important if you want stable levels, because the longer lasting patches can't deliver a consistent dosage for the entire time you wear them.
-Use Tegaderm film to cover the patches. The patches don't always stick very well by themselves, especially if you are sweating too much. Covering the patches with Tegaderm film ensures they will stay in place every time until you change them, even if you decide to take a bath or go swimming. I have heard it may also help increase the amount of estrogen you absorb, although I haven't ever had my levels tested to see if that was true.
-Apply the patches on your rear. Apparently the patches work best when applied on fatty tissue, and while the stomach is the recommended location for the patches I use, the fatty tissue on your buttocks is the best overall location for absorption. I think the reason the recommend putting the patch on your stomach is because it sticks there better, but if you're using Tegaderm to keep the patch in place that's usually not a problem.
-Clean your skin before applying the patches. I just use a little rubbing alcohol on a tissue. Don't use soap, or anything else that may leave a residue, and make sure your skin is completely dry before applying. This helps the patches stick better, and ensures that nothing will get in the way of the medication.
-Make sure not to apply patches in the same place twice. I'm pretty sure this is in the instructions, but it's worth repeating. Applying the patches in the same place will reduce the absorption, and increase the chances of skin irritation. You don't have to put them in a completely different place, just try to make sure there isn't any overlap with the last place your patches were.
Unfortunately, some people aren't able to get good levels with patches no matter what they do, but I think how you use the patches does make a difference. Following these tips has worked well for me so far, so hopefully they help you too. :)
Quote from: Urban Christina on November 30, 2015, 10:34:33 AM
Patches and gels are supposed to be more effective than pills.
They need lower absolute hormone content because of absorption through the skin.
Effectiveness on people is individual because skin absorption is individual, people have different skins.
hugs
Quote from: |BB| on November 30, 2015, 06:26:09 AM
How effective is using a patch for HRT? I found with injections my mood was all over the place, my breast growth seemed to be happening VERY quickly and I dont feel ready for large breasts. I'd talked with my doctor about using patches before but she felt it was better for maintaining hormones after the first 3 years not for initial development.
I'd like to bring this up again with her and am looking for more information.
If you are moody you might think about shorter periods... so levels would not be as high, and not drop off as strongly...
for example five days...
the amount injected would be lower then...
hugs
I did alright on patches for 2 years, but I like shots better.
Have to say that I am a happy camper using patches so far. I was on oral for 7 months and it was not a happy experience...my experience and everyone is different. Felt the effects from the patches within a few days adn have have enjoyed the steady delivery since.
I have my next appointment on the 15th and I am sort of curious how dosage can be increased as I am already using multiple patches. They need to be applied in different spots (not the same spot within two weeks) and they are not the smallest things in the world. Luckily, I have not had any issues resulting from the adhesive.
Worth a try if you can.
Thanks for all the replies.
My biggest surprise has been the size of the patches, I was expecting this 3" bright pink patch, but what I got was this 1/2" little skin toned sticker that I have to double check to even be sure its still there, I'm afraid its going to fall of and I wont notice until its lost, and this is suppose to be the largest dose. definitely want to put something over it just so it doesnt get lost.
Kaitylynn, you mentioned the patches were "not the smallest things" which makes me think we are using very different brands.
I'll let you know in a few days if I start feeling anything, I'm hoping it will provide the small feminization changes while giving me time to work on other things I need to transition. If I feel I need things to go faster I can always switch back to injections.
BTW when I picked up the patches the Pharmacist wanted to see me, she said "Your aware this product contains Esterogin?" I said "yes" and she said "ok". I think the Pharmacist was doing her job to making sure I'm aware of what I'm about to take, but it made me very anxious and self conscious. I think I need to become more comfortable with situations like that.
Like Mariah, patches irritated the skin badly for me, so went oral, and its been good... well health wise is fine many results are really good, just my behind has lagged the rest :(
Katy xx
Quote from: |BB| on December 04, 2015, 05:16:40 AM
Thanks for all the replies.
My biggest surprise has been the size of the patches, I was expecting this 3" bright pink patch, but what I got was this 1/2" little skin toned sticker that I have to double check to even be sure its still there, I'm afraid its going to fall of and I wont notice until its lost, and this is suppose to be the largest dose. definitely want to put something over it just so it doesnt get lost.
Kaitylynn, you mentioned the patches were "not the smallest things" which makes me think we are using very different brands.
I'll let you know in a few days if I start feeling anything, I'm hoping it will provide the small feminization changes while giving me time to work on other things I need to transition. If I feel I need things to go faster I can always switch back to injections.
BTW when I picked up the patches the Pharmacist wanted to see me, she said "Your aware this product contains Esterogin?" I said "yes" and she said "ok". I think the Pharmacist was doing her job to making sure I'm aware of what I'm about to take, but it made me very anxious and self conscious. I think I need to become more comfortable with situations like that.
Its possible its vivelle dots or estradot, which are pretty small and supposed to stick very well.
Well concerning the pharmacist she probably was used giving this to menopausal women as hormone additive. So she was not aquainted with the subject, that the patches are also used for hrt.
hugs
My Doc would only give me patches, due to my age. After a year, I was at the max patches I was allowed and my E only got up to 87. I even always put them on my butt. I got the Vivelle dot, which are smaller. These patches were very expensive and there was some skin irritation.
After a year and modest development, I changed doctors to one very experienced with treating trans people and got on injections every two weeks. That was far too long and my E dropped to 32. My doc had me switch to weekly and I feel much better now. My last blood test had me at 615, a bit too high. We're still fine-tuning my dose.
I found that my breast development really increased after switching to injections, and it's much cheaper through my insurance. Plus I learned how to do my own injections.
I've been on the patch for a week now, my breast buds have reformed and seem bigger then before, they had almost disappeared, my emotions are a little more intense but not too much yet. I havent noticed an increase in my touch sensitivity or ablity to smell things like I had on injections but its still early.
The thing I'm noticing that's most surprising is my sexual desire has increased quite a bit, even though I'd increased my spirolactine dosage. Previously on injections my sexual desire had been almost nil, I'd heard some people have increased arousal from estregen but had assumed I wasnt one of those people, so I consider this a very pleasant surprise.
Off-topic questions for those doing injection:
Are you self-injecting or do you have medical people doing it? How frequently?
Thanks. I self-injected every three weeks for almost three years. Shot day wasn't my favorite. The needle was thick and the drugs were syrupy. I injected in alternating thighs and eventually got good enough that I didn't bruise myself every time.
dianne,
I only injected 4 times evry 2 weeks, the first was the doctor, the second I did while the doctor watched after training me two weeks before, the other 2 times where on my own. I never brused or had a problem with the process.
Dont like needles to begin with, but my emotions got too intense which is very bad when depressed and worried things where happen to fast.
Anyway been two weeks on the patch and I'm feeling very good about it.
Saw my Endo this morning! Said good-by to the patches. It's injections for me from now on., Looks like I'll start with 2x mon. Maybe this will work. 9 mos. of continuously increase dosages of E only got my E level to 75.
I just wasn't absorbing all of the 'honey"
Hugz,
Joi
Quote from: Joi on December 17, 2015, 01:14:27 PM
Saw my Endo this morning! Said good-by to the patches. It's injections for me from now on., Looks like I'll start with 2x mon. Maybe this will work. 9 mos. of continuously increase dosages of E only got my E level to 75.
I just wasn't absorbing all of the 'honey"
Hugz,
Joi
You might ask them for a cycle of 10 days or 7 days... on a cycle of 14 days there is often a low phase the last few days, which might affect mood...
and if they keep your levels high you might need less anti androgen (this works only with implants or injections)...
hugs
Quote from: Laura_7 on December 04, 2015, 05:46:18 AM
Its possible its vivelle dots or estradot, which are pretty small and supposed to stick very well.
hugs
I am one of those that had a lot of problems initially with the adhesives and finally got switched to the Vivelle Dot every 3.5 days regimen....works great for me ;D
Laura: That was my intention. Unfortunately, I'm working with the VA. Saw 2 Drs. this morning. Explained that to the resident that I saw first. Then the Chief of Endo. came in to talk. He agreed that I needed to switch, but he couldn't remember exactly what my dose should be. Said a script would be input later that day. The 1st Dr. didn't mention my request for 3x mon. injections to him. He wrote for 2 x mon. Just another challenge when working within a govt. agency. I'll have to fight that battle later. Will only have a couple of injections B4 I have to stop in early Jan. in prep. for GCS. Then won't resume again till I get back to the USA in mid Feb. Then labs in early Mar & an appointment thereafter. Who knows what my levels will be by then.