Trans @lemmy.blahaj.zone Tywele @lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 mo. ago

I finally started HRT(!) but I have a question about applying patches

I have finally started HRT and applied the first patch yesterday evening but I'm wondering if the place and how I've applied is good enough/fine like this? Just want to make sure I've done everything right and don't want to find out in 3 months that I've been screwing this up the whole time.

17 comments

It looks fine to me.

As long as you're getting the skin clean and dry before application, and you're using them at the recommended spots (usually buttocks, abdomen, hips or thigh; and where you've got yours is essentially hips), you should be fine.

There's no loose edges visible, no bubbles, no deformation. So, mechanically, it looks like the application was uneventful.

So, unless something unusual happened during application that might make it come off too soon, you're good to go, based purely on the image.

Some extra advice?

There's a product called "unisolve". We would use it after removing adhesives from skin back when I was still working as a caregiver. You can sorta improvise a similar deal with glycerin and rubbing alcohol, but the premade, packaged products are better. As you rotate through positions, you can have trace amounts of adhesive left behind that you might not see or feel, so using a skin friendly solvent like that is very useful. Even if that weren't the case, it removes the adhesive with less abrasion or irritation of the skin underneath, which can be irritated already from being under a patch (I sure as hell had issues with that and nicotine patches when I ran out of unisolve).

But, for cleaning the skin before applications, regular rubbing alcohol is fine. You don't want any lipids or other ingredients than alcohol and water for a medicated patch, they'll get the skin oil free for a solid application.

Good luck!
- Yes, unisolve is the shit. Just a light drop gets it clear for me. Also for patches they make smaller ones that have to be charged twice a week and are more flexible if you can get them.
- Thank you, that's a huge help and relief! I will look into this "unisolve" and see if it's available here in Germany (or something similar).
  
  Fwiw, Amazon seems to[ have it](http://www.Complete.com/ Medical SN4023 Uni-Solve Adhesive Remover Wipes https://amzn.eu/d/bLKNAGU)
  
  Diese Kommentarsektion ist nun Eigentum der BRD
Congrats on starting HRT!
- Thank you! But now comes the most difficult part: waiting for changes to happen 🫠
  
  I feel ya. I'm there too.
What is this im looking at? Those patches contain hormones?
- Yes they are E patches
  
  Til it absorbs through the skin.
Yeah, you can apply them on the lower stomach to the side or on your upper ass.

Personally I've found my ass to be more effective (as in my blood tests show higher e levels there ) but YMMV.
- It seems buttocks are indeed more effective https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10993035/
  
  Nice. Love it when my suspicions get confirmed by science
- Yeah I’ve found similarly with putting them on my ass. I had too much trouble with stomach and waistbands rubbing them off early too.
  
  Also congrats OP!! Patches are way better than pills IME so you’re gonna have a great time :3

You've viewed 17 comments.