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[Bandango42]

Hi

Does anyone know if there is a preferential location to put an estrogen patch for optimal absorption?

I've been putting my evorel patch on either my top outer thigh or bum cheek but wondering if I'm absorbing properly as still don't feel wonderful after 10 months. I've just added one to my top inner thigh to see if makes a difference but I'd be interested to know if any ladies have found a spot where you can tell you're absorbing more as you feel better??

Many thanks

[CLKD]

It may be that there isn't enough product in the patch.  Does it say in the leaflet in the box?

What dose are the patches? 

[sheila99]

I haven't noticed a difference, I just put them where they stick best. If you think you have insufficient oestrogen it would be better to get a stronger patch.

[lillith112]

I saw a video by a menopause specialist once, she said you can over saturate an area if you keep putting the estrogen in the same place. Recommends to alternate different areas. I still use bum cheeks but make sure I apply it in a slightly different area. 😊

[Bandango42]

Thank you for your replies.

It's a 75 patch, gp won't increase yet as he doesn't want me to go to the maximum amount due to my age (quote 'once you get to 100 there's nowhere else to go').

I just wanted to give the patch I'm on the best chance of working and thought I'd ask the question in case anyone had noticed a difference to symptoms based on where the patch is stuck.

Lillith112 - thank you. I do make sure to always put it in a slightly different place each time I use a new one but the top outer thigh and bum cheeks are the only 2 places I've ever put them. No harm in trying a new area! But thanks for the advice.

Thanks again x

[Bandango42]

Mollydolly

Thank you for replying. I will try that area next. I didn't realise you could change the patch more frequently than every 4 days, I will try that also. Obviously want to try everything before my next review with gp.

[2cats]

Hi
You can also stick them on your lower abdomen (below your waistband area) so that might be worth a try. Also your gp is misinformed as you can go above 100 mcg if that is what you need, you would use a lower strength patch ie 25mcg at the same time as a 100 mcg one. Obviously I’m not a doctor but Louise newson is so if you don’t follow her or use Balance app, then it might be worth doing so as she has lots of great information!

[CLKD]

Your GP is out of date.

Ask for a referral to a dedicated NHS Menopause Clinic - there are waiting lists so ASAP - U can always cancel nearer the appt. if you have settled on a regime. 

[Pippa52]

Mollydolly read with interest what you said about changing your patches every 3 days and sometimes every 2 as I do exactly the same.  I find my patch just does not last the whole time - I have increased from a 50 Estradot patch to a 37.5 plus a 25 patch as am supposed to be working up to a 75 one but have to do it slowly as I am very sensitive to dose changes.  Still don't feel quite right but will persist with this dose for a while before going up again.  I was really relieved though to see that I am not the only one changing patches a bit more frequently xx

[sheila99]

Just a word of caution - if your surgery is keeping track of you prescriptions you may find they refuse to give you more than 2 a week without your GPS approval. Most people find twice a week is OK though there are a few people who don't, I change every 3.5 days and don't feel a dip.

[Limpy]

For me the optimal location to put the patch is definitely lower  abdomen.  If ever I use bum cheek the thing just gets really wrinkled and curls at the edges.

[Bandango42]

Thanks all.

Those ladies that change more than twice a week, how do you know your patch is not lasting? Do you start to feel worse?

Limpy - thank you. Why do you say its best for you? Do you feel better when the patch is placed on your lower abdomen? Or is it just because it sticks better and doesn't wrinkle?

I may ask for blood tests to see if I'm absorbing because I just feel pants most of the time. Changing a patch doesn't seem to make much of a difference. My physical symptoms have mostly gone but I feel sad, like all of the time. And I ache all the time too. It wakes me at night.

[Limpy]

Thanks all.

Those ladies that change more than twice a week, how do you know your patch is not lasting? Do you start to feel worse?

Limpy - thank you. Why do you say its best for you? Do you feel better when the patch is placed on your lower abdomen? Or is it just because it sticks better and doesn't wrinkle?

I may ask for blood tests to see if I'm absorbing because I just feel pants most of the time. Changing a patch doesn't seem to make much of a difference. My physical symptoms have mostly gone but I feel sad, like all of the time. And I ache all the time too. It wakes me at night.

It's because I actually feel better Bodango42 - more energy and just generally more active. 

[Bandango42]

That's great, thank you. I will definitely try the lower abdomen when it's change day. I put it on my inner thigh last night and have actually had a really low day today. Fingers crossed the abdomen works x

[Clarella]

I’m similar to many of you and change every 3 days.

Estradot (at the moment, no idea if I’ll get the next lot!) 125 and put them near pubic triangle, alternating sides and away from a skin fold (when I sit if that makes sense!) was going to trial 3.5 days on this higher level though I find it easier to remember to change in the mornings.

I’d wondered similar previously when on 100 and placed it slightly higher up where there’s more fat. Unfortunately forgot that’s when I had a blood test. No idea if it affected it or if that was my actual level but oestrogen was around 200, whereas on 75 it had been 260.

Either way Gp (nhs but v good) was happy to go higher by 25 - I think if it had been double that she wouldn’t. She said it was slightly outside prescribing guidelines but obviously test showed it was ok.

I’d actually gone querying testosterone; she had tested that and has prescribed too.

So I now stick to where I’d been putting them, roughly under where pants go. I know everol do say bottom whereas estradot state lower tummy -I put everol there too. Though bigger it still works as they seem more flexible.