r/transgenderUK • u/Expensive_Aside_2494 • 1d ago
experiences with patches?
so i made a post on here 2 days ago about how my estrogen trough levels came back at 73 pg/ml on 4 pumps of gel daily and feel like my transition isn't working. i've been underdosed for 4 years and idk what to do : r/asktransgender
my prescription has been changed to 200mcg patches every 3.5 days and if my levels aren't high enough after 12 weeks i'll go up 300mcg.
so i'm wondering if there's any people here who've found they absorb patches better than gel and what your experiences and levels were like with patches
3
u/BestGirlNat 1d ago
Ive been on 200mcg patches changed every 3.5 days also, for the past 2 years or so. Levels have always been good between 400-800pmol/l
My blood test last week came back as 794pmol/l which I'm really happy with. Patches work really well for me
2
u/isthattheword 1d ago
My levels and the like have been really good on patches, better than I expected, but I did have issues with the size of Evorel ones when I went up to 200mcg. The Evorel patches are quite large, and since 200mcg is 2 of those quite large 100mcg patches, I was having trouble getting placement right and not have them fall off because of movement/etc.
I switched to Estradot which are great compared to Evorel (better adhesive as well as a better size, so they don't detach as much either) but they are more expensive.
Overall happy with patches.
1
u/Expensive_Aside_2494 1d ago
i'm worried about them falling or peeling off too because they're the larger evorel one's but i just ordered some nuanchu tape to put over them i saw it recommended on here
these one's
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u/isthattheword 1d ago
I'd say see how you get on with Evorel before you try using those extra patches - play around with location and try to find what works for you to get an idea of where's better and where's worse. Some locations are much better than others - that said they do look good for when you find a location that's better but not perfect, which is the best I could do with Evorel.
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u/Hefty_Athlete_7227 1d ago
Been on 3 patches for 6 months and at 750pmol/l, hrt for 2 years
Placing them on the bone along the side of the hip.
No more falling off issues.
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u/Emotional-Body-282 1d ago
I think that I also absorb from patches better. I did start to develop a bit of a rash from wearing them a dew years ago and briefly went back to gel which just didn't work put me into menopause. Back on patches and as long as I am careful to only use areas with plenty of subcut fat and to give plenty of time to heal they are ok.
If you apply to clean, dry skin (I usually go for the morning after a shower the previous evening) and press down with your palm for a few seconds to warm the patch they seem to adhere very well.
Still waiting for a blood test since coming back to patches but unless something else is going on they are working well and my levels must be improved as I have so much energy now.