I’ve been on the transdermal patch for HRT for about three weeks now, and I’m noticing a slight, but still annoying, skin irritation. I’m wondering if anyone knows if I can put cortizone on it and still reap the benefits of the patch. It’s not enough to make me go off the patch at this time, but it’s kind of itchy. Anyone out there with patch hormone experience? Doctors?
IANAD…
are you putting the patch in the same place every time? Is it possible to move it around each time?
My disclaimer and question as well. My nicotine patch instructions advise at least a week between uses of the same spot on my body. How long does each HRT patch last?
I messed with patches for a couple of years for my testosterone. I finally gave up and went to the needles.
Moisture seems to get under the patch and it itches.
Move the patch around each day, and try applying it to the buttocks, which seem less sensitive than the arm.
No, I move it each time. They make it clear on the instructions that you need to move it.
Each patch lasts a week. And I move them from left to right, below the belly button, and not “exactly” the same spot each time.
Yes, they said I can put it on my hip…maybe I’ll try that next time.
I haven’t had any trouble with moisture or stickiness or anything. It stays stuck but comes off very easily. Actually, it’s pretty amazing how well it sticks. And I take baths, so it’s completely submerged. 3M technology.
That is a mistake in my experience. If you get water under the thing it will drive you nuts. That water (in my case) could have been pool water, or it could have been sweat from my swim. In either case, I found the needles to be better and cheaper.
You, my friend, are a braver hormone taker than I. Hopefully I won’t have to be on them for more than a few years. I could not do injections unless I HAD to.
It sticks very, very well. I put it on and it doesn’t budge until I take it off a week later. There is no moisture collection under it…it’s just the most amazing thing! And it’s as thin as a piece of scotch tape.
I wear a weekly patch, and I’ve found the spots to give the least irritation have the least hair or hair follicles. Which ends up being my butt, but on the outer half (i.e. not near the middle). My abdomen below my navel was too itchy. And I alternate left & right buttcheeks every week. I think the underside of my upperarm is hairless enough too, but I don’t like it to be noticeable (it gets grungy looking after a couple days).
My mother’s doctor recommended she apply an antacid on the patch site. So, she puts a little dab of Mylanta under her HRT. You might try that.
Huh. Isn’t that something? I just might give that a try. Probably call the doctor or check the website to be sure. Thanks!
I am not a real hairy person, so I don’t think it’s follicle related.
I am amazed at how much better I feel!!! And the ol’ sex drive is coming back. WooHOO! That was the worst part of the whole menopause thing. That and the most evil hotflashes I could imagine. And the almost uncontrollable urge to kill everyone I know with my bare hands.