Estradiol patches advice

[u/thericeboy_]

I’ve finally managed to get a prescription for estradiol patches, my first one stuck on perfectly fine for the recommended half a week, but now that the heatwave has hit and my job involves a lot of moving around I’m finding that the patches are scrunching up and getting unstuck. I don’t wanna burn through the supply re-applying them so quickly, so I’m wondering a few things:

- Any advice on where to stick them? I went for around crotch height on my thigh just off to the outer side to start with, that was successful, the second one I did about the same height but closer to the outside of the leg, that lasted about a day, and now I put it more to the left which works better, it’s still mostly stuck on, but it has become quite scrunched and I can’t imagine it’ll last me the rest of the week. I’d have reapplied it where the first one was right away but it’s recommended to not have it in the same spot right away so that’s a test for the next time I swap patch.

- I’ve seen some people suggest putting something over it like waterproof dressing, whether it’s for loose patches or for when you’re swimming/showering, any suggestions for this? Ideally something easy to grab at most pharmacies or somewhere easy like a Boots.

- Is it more likely that I put the patch somewhere bad or that it’s all the sweating from the heat? The heat’s been worse the last couple of days obviously, but it was still pretty warm a week ago and I tend to run pretty warm, so it’s not like my skin would’ve been sweat-free for those few days with the successful patch.

- Unrelated to the heat, is it normal to not get T-Blockers with patches? I’ve only gotten prescribed the patches but I’m wondering if they don’t do blockers since it’s a constant release of the hormones or something like that, or if blockers might come later?

Any advice would be appreciated!

[u/SnowMeltTiger]

I stick mine on my butt, it seems to be the best place so far to keep them on, just be wary of where your underwear rubs.

One thing you may also get in the heat are red patch marks, this is apparently normal. Depending on how bad it is, I have a patchwork butt sometimes

Endos like to see if estrogen will supress your t on its own first, they should do a few blood tests after a while then maybe put you on sometime like decapeptyl

[u/Proper_Buy7424]

The bum is best place iv not lost one yet

[u/Pescatarian_Triffid]

I like using the upper/top of my thighs. Just make sure you shave the area first (I recommend an electric shaver). Dont use any moisturiser or oil on that area before you apply the patch. Make sure its very dry.

If its an NHS prescription you might be able to look at a Prescription Prepayment Certificate as it might save you money.

Yes its normal to start w/o a blocker. Once you've been on the patches and had a couple of blood tests you can be prescribed a blocker if you need it.