Tips for estrogen patch use?

[Anonymous]

I’ve been prescribed the estrogen patches and am looking forward to some relief. However, I have not had great experiences with applying patches. I’m the person who gets them crinkled, they fold accidentally, they come off in the pool etc.

I am also a little worried about skin irritation as I am the person whose skin turns pink with new sunscreen.

Please tell me all of your patch tips! My Dr’s only advice was to pick different spots.

[Anonymous]

OP, I've used a patch for two years and never once has it come off.

The first couple times I put it on - yeah, I wasn't good at it. Sometimes it ends up right where my underwear band hits, which is what I try to avoid. sometimes it gets a little crinkled, but in a few days you switch it out so, don't worry if its not on perfectly.

The patch has been good for me - I hope it helps you too

[Anonymous]

Some people say to clean the skin with rubbing alcohol and let it dry before applying the patch. Then blow it quickly with a hair dryer for a few seconds. That makes it stick well. However I usually don’t have trouble with keeping it on, even without those steps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I've used a patch for two years and never once has it come off.

The first couple times I put it on - yeah, I wasn't good at it. Sometimes it ends up right where my underwear band hits, which is what I try to avoid. sometimes it gets a little crinkled, but in a few days you switch it out so, don't worry if its not on perfectly.

The patch has been good for me - I hope it helps you too

Not even on a beach vacation? Not on it anymore but I definitely had mine come off a couple of times. I started covering it with tegaderm dressing if we went on vacation/pool and oddly it was less irritating to my skin when covered (search tegaderm transparent film dressing).

[Anonymous]

Never had one come off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Never had one come off.

This was super helpful. Thank you for your amazing insight.

[Anonymous]

Are you waiting for the patch to come to room temperature before you stick it on? That’s important.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone! I have some Tegaderm I can try. I can see how that placement is important with waistbands.

But am I supposed to be keeping these refrigerated so they have to come up to room temperature?

[Anonymous]

I don’t refrigerate mine - I’ve never heard of that! Like others, I try to keep them low, so to avoid waistbands. I also apply just after the shower, to dry skin with clean hands (before I start my skincare routine). The only other tip I have is to hold/press it down for 10 seconds or so after applying it. Good luck! (I’m so grateful for that little sticker and what it’s done for me!)

[Anonymous]

I’ve never had an issue, either. You peel one backing off, place it, then peel the other backing off. Like applying a bandaid.

You want it over an area that had fat, so your belly or butt. Don’t put it on your hip bone.

Set a phone reminder for every 4 days (custom length on an iPhone).

[Anonymous]

I use the CombiPatch and the instructions say to refrigerate them. Costco stores them in refrigerators. I don’t know if this applies to all patches. Look at your instructions to see what it says. Mine say to bring them to room temperature before applying so they stick better.

[Anonymous]

I've been on estradiol patches for about 2 years now. I've only had one come off once.

[Anonymous]

Get nasal spray and skin-tac liquid adhesive. First put on the nasal spray and let it dry - this will prevent any itching or skin irritation.

Then put on the skin tac, trying to keep it confined to the size of the patch. You can put the patch on before it dries completely so that you have time to flatten it out or fix any stray corners before it’s really grippy.

If there’s any skin tac left exposed and sticky just put lotion on that area.

This is what we do for my diabetic daughter’s CGM. Skin irritation with that constant device use is very common, those are the standard tricks of the trade

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some people say to clean the skin with rubbing alcohol and let it dry before applying the patch. Then blow it quickly with a hair dryer for a few seconds. That makes it stick well. However I usually don’t have trouble with keeping it on, even without those steps.

I spray rubbing alcohol and wipe it. It sticks well and survives multiple showers. I was told to apply it to opposite side each time, allowing the skin to not get irritated. But I had never tested it on the beach.. I wonder if it comes off with salt water, sunbathing or any water sports like boogie boarding that may create friction.

I could put it under my bikini bottom, but I hope I don't have to wear a one piece suit from now on I hate them.

[Anonymous]

I alternate cheeks. I have had two kinds show up in the mail--a clear flimsy one and a more solid puffy one. The solid one does not flip over on itself but it's more prone to losing adhesive. I have never heard of the refrigeration issue and store them in my bathroom.