Switching to transdermal patches

Tills · January 30, 2026, 02:24:56 AM

I'd just like to reiterate though, staying on topic, that generally I think the patches are fantastic. Compared to the gels I was smearing on twice a day, the patches have transformed my life and quality of life.

xx

Charlotte_Ringwood · January 30, 2026, 02:29:51 AM

I'd love to go on to patches myself. They are just very expensive. I think I'll move to them when I'm not having to spend on laser removal, surgery and such. Or I'll jus wait a few years until I can get through NHS.

Good to know that you rate them so highly. I love the idea of them

Tills · January 30, 2026, 05:54:47 AM

Today was changeover day so I've switched up to Evorel 100. In the extremely unlikely event that I feel off colour I'll peel off the extra mini patch.

But I'm expecting my transgender clinic and GP surgery to approve this in a few weeks time.

Bear in mind that my trough reading on gels was 400 pmol/L so 131 pmol/L really is a dip.

xx

Courtney G · January 30, 2026, 06:22:11 AM

I did lots of stuff to manipulate my dosage while using patches. Early on, I cut them in halves or quarters in order to microdose and later I left some patches on for a couple of extra days after I added new ones, creating an "overlap" to increase my effective dose. It was also a means to allow me to stockpile patches.

Tills · January 30, 2026, 07:22:35 AM

Thanks @Courtney G : that's helpful to know. I hadn't thought about leaving the previous one on to create an overlap.

Tills · January 30, 2026, 07:28:53 AM

In terms of stockpiling, I have some extra patches as whilst I awaited the GP surgery to connect with my clinic I ordered a private prescription through the post. Nothing dodgy about that: a bona fide UK pharmacy who checked that my clinic had approved it. It's useful to have the extras as I hate running low.

@Charlotte_Ringwood I bought 16 x Evorel 75 for £25. I suppose that is quite pricey but if you're doing 2 a week (mine is 2 in 6 days) then it's roughly £13 a month. Not too bad?

xx

Charlotte_Ringwood · January 30, 2026, 08:06:50 AM

Quote from: Tills on January 30, 2026, 07:28:53 AM@Charlotte_Ringwood I bought 16 x Evorel 75 for £25. I suppose that is quite pricey but if you're doing 2 a week (mine is 2 in 6 days) then it's roughly £13 a month. Not too bad?

xx

Doesn't sound so bad...just not sure of equivalent dose as I'm on 6mg oral per day to get my levels. Might need two patches to get it. I'll have a look again. Thanks 😊

Courtney G · January 30, 2026, 01:06:47 PM

Quote from: Tills on January 30, 2026, 07:22:35 AMThanks @Courtney G : that's helpful to know. I hadn't thought about leaving the previous one on to create an overlap.

You're welcome. I'll add that near the end of my time with patches just a month ago, I decided to stagger them to create a shallower trough. I was using four .100 mg patches twice a week and I think my peak was ok but my trough too low, so I did something like this:

Monday night: 3 patches (instead of 4). Maybe leave one patch on from the previous dosing, creating a four patch dose (effectively)
Wednesday evening or Thursday morning. Add one patch. Remove the "overlap" patch if used
Friday morning: 3 patches, same as Monday