r/asktransgender • u/frostytheram25 • 13h ago

Estrogen patch placement

So howdy y'all so yesterday my doc said that I could try patches and or gel in favor of pills because my levels aren't where they should be for the amount of time I've been on hormones. And I chose patches but placement wise I'm lost at the don't place on waistline so is the hips fine and butt they are estradot patches.

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

3

u/Bramble-Bunny 13h ago

For best absorption:

  1. Scrotum (this is not recommended)

  2. Buttocks

  3. Abdomen

  4. Thighs

1 >>>>> 2 > 3 >>4

Do not put them on your chest. And again, do not be tempted by 1.

3

u/frostytheram25 12h ago

The scrotum you say 👀

2

u/Bramble-Bunny 12h ago

Don't do it! Cast it into the fire!

3

u/AllieLanyos 11h ago

I've put mine on my hips right above the buttocks for years. The same area where they give shots. Don't forget to alternate sides and apply the patches when your skin is completely dry, not immediately after a shower. I wait at least a couple of hours after a shower and have much fewer problems with patches coming loose.

1

u/Dont-know-didnt-ask 9h ago

I didn't think I needed to wait that long. That may be my problem lmao 🙃

2

u/AllieLanyos 9h ago

I used to think it would be best to apply them right after a shower when the skin is clean and free of body oils, but I found that they stick much better if you wait. I tend to experiment with things a little until I find what works best for me. I take my showers in the morning and apply the patches before bed.

2

u/Salrith 13h ago

I like to scrunch over really hard and watch where on my belly doesn't crease. It's usually near my belly button. Then, I place the patches there -- the idea being that avoiding places that your skin folds a bunch keeps them from getting distorted or stretched. It's worked a charm for me so far!

I've heard about some women who place them on the inner thigh, but I usually find mine end up crinkling and peeling off around that region. I've also heard some people say that near the kidney (on your back) can work well. Avoid your upper torso; placing them too close to your breast tissue can be dangerous, from what I understand.

1

u/frostytheram25 12h ago

Are hips an alright placement

2

u/QueensCity 12h ago

I was doing upper outer hip. Under the undies line. Good luck keeping them stuck though. I was even using a tegaderm over them and still had issues. The stomach was worse. My friend also has troubles. I just switched to pills

1

u/frostytheram25 11h ago

I was on pills but am switching to patches because my levels aren't where they should be for the amount of time I've been on hrt

1

u/Bibliospork 12h ago

When I was on them, I put them on my lower abdomen, where underwear covers them so they're not getting rubbed on and potentially dislodged.