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[LittleClaire]

Hi,

Does anyone know if gel is better than patches in terms of it staying put on the skin?

I’m currently on Evorel 75 and after a couple of days my patches always seem to peel away at the corner until they are practically half on, half off. I never had this problem on Evorel Sequi as they were smaller, I don’t know if it’s this batch as it’s happened a few times, which results in me either changing the patch a day early which I don’t like doing as it cocks my routine up, or keeping the unstuck patch on til changeover day in which I’m certain some symptoms start to return (burning cheeks, anxiety, itchy dry skin to name a few).

Just wondered whether it’s worth me changing to gel, I don’t want to start getting the tattoo tape or plasters to keep patches on. I go to Majorca in 5 weeks too and worried the heat will sweat the patches off me!

Thanks 🙏

[Honeybee2]

You could try the gel a lot of women find it very good and although it can be a little wait to absorb it generally is a good transdermal option .
I first used gel but then changed over to Evorel patch just for the convenience
I did have the same problem with the patch peeling but found if I heated the patch up slightly between the palms of my hands it stuck so much better .

Good luck and happy holiday

[LittleClaire]

Thanks for replying and for the advice that is helpful. I know what you mean about heating them up I give mine a blast for 10 seconds with the hairdryer but looks like I’ve just got either a dodgy box of patches or my skin isn’t taking to it well. I do normally stick them either on the front of my thigh on either side or my bum cheeks but may try inside thigh or abdomen first before switching. The gel does sound good just sometimes if I’m in a rush for work I won’t have time to wait without a top on  til it dries.

[joziel]

Estradots stick really well but sadly are out of stock everywhere.

There is another patch called Estraderm you could ask to try...

[Gnatty]

Have you tried using rubbing alcohol to clean the skin thoroughly first?

[bombsh3ll]

Personally I prefer oral treatment for long term use precisely because of these issues.

The real world difference in blood clots is absolutely marginal in healthy users with no risk factors. Several thousand women would have to take it for a year for one additional thrombotic event to occur. I won't be losing any sleep over that.

However as an IVF patient when I had patches, it helped to clean the skin with alcohol first like gnatty said to strip out the oils. Heat bonding the patch to your skin also helps.

I used hypafix or softpore dressings over the top to help keep them on. Someone else on here mentioned using tattoo film.

I also didn't shower daily, and couldn't have baths or swim anyway following embryo transfer - whilst this was worth it for a short space of time to have my daughter, it is another reason I wouldn't choose transdermal long term.

Finally you (and hopefully your prescriber) have to recognise that they simply don't stick for the length of time the manufacturers claim and budget for this, just like a car never really does the mileage per gallon that it claims to, as things are tested under absolutely perfect conditions that don't reflect real life use.

[joziel]

There are advantages to transdermal, beyond blood clots.

Research shows that libido is better with transdermal than with oral estrogen (ref - the recent Peter Attia podcast episode with Dr Rubin on HRT).

And oral estrogen is metabolised into estrone, which is the bad inflammatory estrogen often leading to weight gain and has been linked to BC. Transdermal isn't processed like this.

Oral estrogen also raises SHBG which then makes all hormones less effective when it gets too high, and it tends to go up with age anyway. Transdermal doesn;t have this effect.

[LittleClaire]

Yeah I’ve heard recently about the stock issues with Estradot. I take it that’s one of the better ones if it’s hard to get hold of.

I haven’t tried rubbing alcohol but will give it a go to see if that makes a difference. I’ve tried sticking my current patch on my inner thigh where there is no hair and so far so good.

I was never told about oral oestrogen at my HRT reviews I didn’t even know it was a thing. I was told patches, gel or spray which I didn’t fancy the spray. I take progesterone orally and have no issues with that. I’m due a review in a couple of weeks before I go away so will ask then.

Thanks

[Eastside]

I haven't tried gel, and I have in fact only just started hrt, but I remember the nurse telling me that patches generally give a more consistent dose of estrogen. Whether that's true or not, I don't know.
I apply mine to butt cheeks, either side, under my underwear. I wait until night time when my skin is dry and I press down straight away quite hard with the palm of my hand for about 20 seconds or so. So far, so good, they've stayed in place perfectly. But maybe you do have a dodgy batch.

[joziel]

Estradot is out of stock due to issues with the factories/manufacturer and not due to everyone wanting them. But they do stick better.

I wouldn't recommend oral estrogen for the reasons I gave above. If you need to try anything else, try the gel.

Some people say patches give a consistent dose but others say they give a lot the first day and then less each day after that and not much the last day of the 4. That's why some people need to change them more frequently.

[LittleClaire]

Yeah I’ve noticed that too, when I’m due a patch changeover even the night before I feel a bit grotty again like symptoms are starting up. Then feel great when it’s changed. Wouldn’t it be great if they’d let us change it everyday lol. I will ask about the gel at my next appointment, thanks both for replies