Estadio weekly parches, sideffects?

[Devi SM]

So far is more than 3 months I'm in HRT with weekly estradiol patches.
I'd had some issues like a red spot with the size and form of the patch, circle around 2 inches diameter, during and after remove it that last almost a month, dry skin and itching that goes disappearing after 3 or 4 days.
I asked endocrinologist, who's no more seeing me because he will leave, for alternatives like injections or pills and he said that the first give you a peak of hormones and don't work as the patches slowly releasing.
He said that the last, pill, has some serious side effect affecting the liver.
Anyone experiencing the same, normal? Using different ways for estradiol?
Thanks.

[Joan_CD]

Hi,

I’ve been using the vivelle patch for several years. When I remove the patch the area is red as you described with a little itching. It goes away within a day or so. I believe this is perfectly normal. If it bothers you try putting some hydrocortisone cream or any anti itch cream. It might help. I’m older, so the patch is the safest way to get my E. My T is virtually non existent and my E is the same as any other post menopausal woman.

[Mirya]

I've always been on injections from the beginning of HRT (estradiol valerate). But there was a brief period almost 2 years ago where there was a shortage of the injections, so my doctor put me on the patch. I used it for several weeks and experienced the same side effects - redness, dryness, and itching where the patch is applied. I think it's normal, especially if you have sensitive skin. I still use patches occasionally if I'm traveling (easier to travel with than carrying around a vial and needles). But I can't use it for too long because it irritates my skin.

[Laura912]

Vanessa, the reaction is an allergic reaction to the adhesives used in that brand of patch. Over the counter hydrocortisone cream or ointment will help speed recovery. Definitely rotate the patches. You may try a different brand as an alternative.
Based on what you quoted the endocrinologist as saying, I suggest getting a different endocrinologist who has a lot of experience with transgendered people.

[Katya@]

Hi Vanessa,
I am on patches since November of last year. What you described is what I experience although sometimes I have no itchenes and sometimes I do for 2-3 days. I brought this up to my endo but ultimately, I decided it is an acceptable side effect for me to tolerate. From all the reading of medical studies I have done, patches do offer some advantages over pills as it bypasses the liver. Also, the level of estrogen is more or less constant 24x7.

[pamela7]

that pill advice is dodgy. i've been on them a year, they work, no problemo. now, adding in the tripto/decapeptyl completes the hrt package really well

xx

[Megan G]

What part of the pill advice is “dodgy” Pamela? Transdermal and injectable estrogens bypass hepatic metabolism and appears to result in more stable serum estradiol levels without supraphysiologic concentrations in the liver.

And just as a note also, not every delivery method works for everyone, what works for you absolutely does not work for me. After nearly a year of trying pills my doctor finally gave up and switched me to injectable. My body would not process pills at all and i never got anywhere near the target levels he wanted. I would overdose before that happened. Now on injectables i barely have to take any at all to get appropriate levels.

[Rianna Humble]

There is nothing wrong with a member saying what method they are using to take oestrogen or even anti-androgens. Nor with them relating their personal experience of taking HRT.

Medical opinions can and do differ from country to country so what some people are quoting as risk may or may not be seen as such in the area inhabited by another member.

Finally, any medical advice offered without coming from a qualified medical practitioner who has had the opportunity to professionally consult the other member face to face will be deleted.

Please co-operate fully with this moderator's note and allow me to keep the thread open.

Rianna Humble
Moderatrix

[giuseppina]

This is really something that should be discussed with your endocrinologist, Vanessa. If your current endo is going elsewhere, you would be well advised to ask for another referral from the MD supervising your transition or your PCP.

[Devi SM]

Guiseppina,
Definitely you're right. Endocrinologist is who has the authority to prescribe me something different but is good to know others' experiences because, you know, all doctors have bias based on the medicine that are more used too or the pharmacist company which they ha e better relationship.

[Jeri Ann]

you know, all doctors have bias based on the medicine that are more used too or the pharmacist company which they ha e better relationship.

This is absolutely not true.

[Aunt Kelly]

Medicine is an art, based on science. The accomplished practitioner relies on information, both subjective (symptoms, history, ) and objective (signs, lab tests, EKG's, etc.) to piece together a clinical picture. Each one is different. Each one will respond to the same therapy in slightly, or dramatically different ways. Western medicine has always suffered (more or less) from an tendency to focus on pathology, but it has been made much worse in the United States over the last 30 years or so by the influence of the insurance carriers and big pharma. I do not want to turn this into a debate about health care reform. I only bring it up to point out that there are still care providers that have learned to look at the largest picture possible when making a diagnosis, and to look to the patient's well being first, when selecting a course of treatment. They are hard to find, but they are out there.

[Katya@]

Over the counter hydrocortisone cream or ointment will help speed recovery
Tried the hydrocortisone the last two times and it helped with itching. Thanks for the advice Laura! Regular moisturizer didn't help me before.

[Laura912]

Katya, you are welcome, and a thank you to Jeri Ann and Aunt Kelly for thoughtful and kind remarks.