My endo said I'd be going on the patch. From what I've heard and read, that would provide a steady stream of hormones, but at a much lower level. Anyone have experience on them? Are they pretty effective?

Good job on surviving the laser!  It will actually get less painful as you progress along.  The first few treatments were my worst and about half the hairs were knocked out by that point.  Patience, as in all things transition!

I have been on the patch from the restart and at first I had concern about the lower E level, but after 6 months I realized those concerns were for not!  My endo explained that we are aiming for clinical result, not numbers and that is exactly what I have experienced.  I cannot say that my results are typical, but others I have been around that were also prescribed trans-dermal had great results as well.

Again, congrats on surviving the zapping!!!

Quote from: SiobhánF on April 15, 2018, 05:52:56 PM
Second laser-in-the-face appointment went... ouch. Longest 5 minutes of the day. My endo said I'd be going on the patch. From what I've heard and read, that would provide a steady stream of hormones, but at a much lower level. Anyone have experience on them? Are they pretty effective?

I have been on the patch since Christmas and have had no difficulty. My doctor said that I should find them more efficient that pills, for me. The tick was finding the best place to put the patches, three/twice a week. I alternate either right then left lower abdomen. Given my age, it was recommended.

Thanks, gals. I appreciate the reassurance about being on patches. My biggest concern is the heat, here in Arizona, since the adhesive may or may not last long, and I don't know how many patches I'd be sticking on per application. I guess I'll play it by ear. Thanks again.

I put mine on my butt and my panties do a fine job of holding them in place.  Granted, I am not in Arizona, but my work gets me heated often.

Quote from: SiobhánF on April 15, 2018, 05:52:56 PMMy endo said I'd be going on the patch. From what I've heard and read, that would provide a steady stream of hormones, but at a much lower level. Anyone have experience on them? Are they pretty effective?

The patch gives you a lower level because is goes directly to the bloodstream.  Oral hormones go via the stomach and liver, where the majority are metabolized before even circulating.  You end up with the same blood levels either way.

I have been on patches for over a year, and I have had really excellent feminization.  (I wouldn't say no to more breast development, but I can't complain!)  My blood levels are right where my doctor wants them.

Quote from: SiobhánF on April 15, 2018, 07:08:53 PM
Thanks, gals. I appreciate the reassurance about being on patches. My biggest concern is the heat, here in Arizona, since the adhesive may or may not last long, and I don't know how many patches I'd be sticking on per application. I guess I'll play it by ear. Thanks again.

When I started mine, I was in Az. Mind you I did not go in the pool. When I came back to the island, I did not notice any difference. The Island is in the Pacific Northwest, for all the Americans out there. My island though is across the border in Canada.

Quote from: kaitylynn on April 15, 2018, 07:25:21 PM
I put mine on my butt and my panties do a fine job of holding them in place.  Granted, I am not in Arizona, but my work gets me heated often.

Okay. I won't worry about that.

Quote from: KathyLauren on April 15, 2018, 08:04:03 PM
The patch gives you a lower level because is goes directly to the bloodstream.  Oral hormones go via the stomach and liver, where the majority are metabolized before even circulating.  You end up with the same blood levels either way.

I have been on patches for over a year, and I have had really excellent feminization.  (I wouldn't say no to more breast development, but I can't complain!)  My blood levels are right where my doctor wants them.

Okay. That makes a lot more sense. Now, I'm even more excited to begin.

Quote from: islandgirl on April 15, 2018, 08:18:59 PM
When I started mine, I was in Az. Mind you I did not go in the pool. When I came back to the island, I did not notice any difference. The Island is in the Pacific Northwest, for all the Americans out there. My island though is across the border in Canada.

Awesome!

Quote from: ToriJo on April 15, 2018, 08:59:54 PM
I'm exhausted and sore from transition stuff, but I'm also realizing how amazing it is to not hide anymore.

I love it! I can't wait to be completely out and open. Soon.

My endo agreed to switch me to patches after starting me out on oral estradiol. Every time I had a slight cramp in my calf I worried I was having a blood clot! It wasn't a fun way to go through my days. I pick them up at the pharmacy today

Lindy

Quote from: islandgirl on April 15, 2018, 06:58:32 PM
I have been on the patch since Christmas and have had no difficulty. My doctor said that I should find them more efficient that pills, for me. The tick was finding the best place to put the patches, three/twice a week. I alternate either right then left lower abdomen. Given my age, it was recommended.

I don't know your age, Island Girl (you look great!), but I was surprised my doctor did not recommend these for me. I'm 61. I decided to just ask for them and will start tomorrow. It's such a relief knowing my risk of clots will drop. I want to enjoy the rest of my lady years

Lindy

Quote from: Lindy on April 16, 2018, 08:08:06 AM
I don't know your age, Island Girl (you look great!), but I was surprised my doctor did not recommend these for me. I'm 61. I decided to just ask for them and will start tomorrow. It's such a relief knowing my risk of clots will drop. I want to enjoy the rest of my lady years

Lindy

Hi Lindy! I am 64 and been on HRT for over 3 years. When my doctor consulted with Trans Care BC, they recommended the switch to patches. Been much better for me. Their reasoning was the same as your endo's. Thanks for the compliment!

Hello Siobhan

As you can see I am from UK and started HRT 10 weeks ago (aged 62).

I am only twice weekly patches aswell as an AA and I confirm I have no trouble at all. They stick perfectly on my abdomen or thigh and never come off in or after water.

The early sign is they are effective as I feel a sense of peace and and I await the physical changes in due course.

I wish you all the best on your journey.

Pamela

I've been on patches for over 8 months and I'm in Texas.  Some brands are better than others.  The one I'm on has instructions for the patch to stay on for a week.  Depending on placement and some other factors the patch can come off.  If it's not ready to change out I just put a Tegaderm over it and go about my business.  Also with mine at least there is some sticky residue that has issues coming off some clothing.  Some of my panties have the residue and I think there is some on our bed sheets. 

There will be trial and error finding the right spot for them. 

I appreciate everyone's input. This is really good info. Like, I understand that it will get absorbed into the skin regardless of location. Injections, I think, would have to be injected into the thigh, or something, but patches can be put anywhere, from what I gather.

Not everywhere.  A good place is where there is fat.  So for some people, butt, hip, part of the thigh, maybe part of the abdomen.  Not on the breast.  Just where the manufactures recommend.

I'm about to start the patch too, so this thread has been really helpful.  My wife tells me I have a nice plump ass, so I'll probably slap it on there

I was using the E patch for 5 months last year before finally begging to be switched away from them to injections.

Mine were the Estradiol <no dosages please> Transdermal Weekly Patch from the manufacturer Mylan which were the only ones my insurance would cover, and only one box a month at that.

Since I drive for a living I put them on my stomach to give them as little movement But... Maybe it was just that manufacturers patches, but they would leave dark circles on my stomach and that was when they actually stayed on!

As soon as any water, including sweat, would touch them the patch would lose all stickiness and sometimes they just wouldn't be sticky right out of the box. I had to spend out of pocket money on Nexcare Tegaderm clear dressings to go over the them to hope they stayed on the whole time.

I got tired of being in a worried mental state about them falling off all the time that I switched over and have been happy since

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Quote from: Trisity on April 18, 2018, 04:24:28 PMI got tired of being in a worried mental state about them falling off all the time that I switched over and have been happy since

Have you noticed better physical/mental effects on injections?

I haven't done patches for long, but noticed three things:

-- When placed on my butt, I bent over to stretch out the skin, attached the patch, and when I stood up, the patch sort of wrinkled as my skin in-stretched. It made me think the patch to skin contact might be less. This made me move the location to the front, just below panty line

-- I too found a little dark line around the outside after I removed the patch. I presumed it was lint/dust from panties going up/down.

-- They have stayed attached like I was born with them. After I had a bit of trouble with the first one (Operator error), the rest have stayed on so well they were tough to get off even. And that includes soaking them in a Jacuzzi spa a few times (without clothing to hold them close...). Someone mentioned different manufacturers. Mine are from Sandoz. I am pretty sure they use Gorilla glue on them... :-)

So, where do y'all place your patch(es), and how does it work out for you? Since you have to rotate locations, what places to you cycle through? RobinTx suggested putting them where fat is. That does give a lot of options for me... Is further up the torso OK?

Quote from: KatieP on April 28, 2018, 05:19:35 PM
So, where do y'all place your patch(es), and how does it work out for you? Since you have to rotate locations, what places to you cycle through?

I, too, put mine on my belly, below the panty waistband.  I rotate locations between left side, middle, and right side.  I am on more than one patch, so that doesn't quite give me enough space.  I put the extra patches on the sides of my hips, behind the corners of my pelvis, which is too bony.

I use three locations in order to give each site one full week to recover.