To patch or to pill?

[Anonymous]

I haven't seen this discussed on here!
My (online) doc is offering the choice of patch or pill for estradiol (or gel but that's right out). I'm inclined to the pill since I'm used to meds every day. Is there a compelling reason to wear a patch? I just don't think I'm a patch person.

And then I need to take progesterone too which I guess is a pill. Anyone have a preference between micronized progesterone (a bioidentical oral capsule) or norethindrone acetate (a synthetic progestin? I'm leaning towards the capsule.

Would love to hear choices you made.

[Anonymous]

My doctor only offered the patch and I hate it!! Why would you give a woman with hot flashes a sticker that is supposed to last a week? Going to investigate pill options . . .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My doctor only offered the patch and I hate it!! Why would you give a woman with hot flashes a sticker that is supposed to last a week? Going to investigate pill options . . .

Thanks! Loved that you call it a sticker. Yes I would sweat it off.

A response on reddit about where to stick it:

"On the ample American menopausal landscape to the east or west of my belly button.

Sometimes I leave the patch gunk outline for a while and play tic tac toe.

I found the giant ass cotton only tarpaulin briefs I now wear would make the patch edges roll up on my hips from being having to pee, but not really, every 47 seconds."

[Anonymous]

Transdermal estrogen like the patch or gel has a better safety profile than oral estrogen, especially when it comes to risk of blood clots. I take the gel because I was allergic to the patch adhesive and I like that I just have to deal with it once a day rather than worrying about a patch coming off continuously.

Bioidentical is always better, so I take the micronized progesterone capsule.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Transdermal estrogen like the patch or gel has a better safety profile than oral estrogen, especially when it comes to risk of blood clots. I take the gel because I was allergic to the patch adhesive and I like that I just have to deal with it once a day rather than worrying about a patch coming off continuously.

Bioidentical is always better, so I take the micronized progesterone capsule.

This. It is not an esthetic preference; it’s lower-risk to use estrogen transdermally.

[Anonymous]

So you put one on every week. Or 10 days if you need less. It's safer. Metabolized differently.
I would take a shower, use baby shampoo on the spot. Pat dry very well. Wait then out it on pressing down hard for several seconds. No body wash just use soap that day.
Wore Menostar 11 years including snorkeling trips.
Only had problems with a bad batch that Menostar replaced via pharmacy, when second ine fell off in a day I knew there was a problem and there was,

[Anonymous]

I thought the patch had lower risk of blood clots?

[Anonymous]

I was very skeptical of a patch because I swim, shower daily, sweat, etc. but it really has it been a problem. It stays on. Not the least bit uncomfortable or troublesome. The two things I don’t like 1) my patches, which are combo estrogen and progesterone, must be refrigerated, which is a pain, and 2) the twice weekly change can be hard to remember.

[Anonymous]

Great insights

[Anonymous]

I have very sensitive skin. I use the patch and sweat regularly. Change it twice per week. It has never fallen off. No skin irritation, nothing but a bit of sticker residue which rubs right off. 200 mg progesterone pill every night before bed is a god-send. Knocks me right out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So you put one on every week. Or 10 days if you need less. It's safer. Metabolized differently.
I would take a shower, use baby shampoo on the spot. Pat dry very well. Wait then out it on pressing down hard for several seconds. No body wash just use soap that day.
Wore Menostar 11 years including snorkeling trips.
Only had problems with a bad batch that Menostar replaced via pharmacy, when second ine fell off in a day I knew there was a problem and there was,

It sounds as if you have stopped the Menostar. Can you say why?

[Anonymous]

Definitely estradiol patch. Don't take orally.
(I sweat like crazy working out and I've never had a patch come loose.)
Progesterone capsules.

If you have the money, there are some MDs who can embed a subdermal estrogen pellet in your hip that only has to be changed every 6 months. But this is not covered by insurance, and the doctors who do it generally don't take insurance.

[Anonymous]

None of these! Get the Femring vaginal insert and you don’t have to deal with any of the shower/swimming/application issues or worrying about the gel rubbing off on anything/anyone/pet. It’s a flexible ring that you insert for 90 days then remove and insert another. It’s as easy as a tampon insertion. The estrogen is systemic (unlike E-String, which is only vaginally absorbed) and is available in .05 0r .1 estrogen. If you still have a uterus you will also need an oral progesterone pill 1x per day. The downside is it can be expensive if your insurance doesn’t cover it.

[Anonymous]

The patch is safer, and the doctor REALLY should have told you that.

[Anonymous]

I switched to gel, less convenient than patch but also no mess and consistent dose every night!