Wellness

[GingerHead]

    I'm on HRT and use the transdermal estradiol patch and I've tried to google this but I can't find an answer. My question is....

What should the back of the patch (the part that adheres to the skin) look like after you've used it and remove it?

   Mine still looks about the same, meaning it doesn't look like the goop (opaque looking film) was absorbed into my skin....is this normal? Should the patch look clear and empty after removing?

I ask because I worry about the absorption. 

  Also, I hate showers and so take nightly hot baths and can sometimes see condensation on them after removal and I hope that's not bad.

  On the off chance that anyone uses the patches, I'd love to hear....especially what your patch looks like after removal.

I plan on asking my doc but hoping someone here with real life experience can answer. 

[evelyner]

I've been using for 20 years. I remove mine every Sunday and put a new one. There is a residue from the glue. Sometimes I take a washcloth and rub hard, and use my nail to pull it off. Also alcohol works great. Good luck. 

[Karie2022]

I was not on the patch so no experience with that but I was on the HRT gel for awhile and after about 6 months my doctor tested my hormone levels to see where I was at; apparently I was not absorbing the gel so my levels were still quite low.  If you are post meno I would have my levels checked thru blood work just to see where you are at; if you are pre-meno than you're hormones are still fluctuating so blood work would probably not be helpful.  Even without any blood work, sometimes you can tell by your symptoms if it's working, ie: sleep, mood, hot flashes, etc. 🥰

[foxywoods]

My patches always left gluey residue and they looked a bit ragged after a few days (6?7?) and then a new one was put on. 

I used to swim a lot in salt water but the patchs stuck good. 

i used 2 kinds, one a combi patch and one a mini dot w/oral progesterone.   

[GingerHead]

@foxywoods @evelyner @Karie2022 

Thanks ladies! 

  Yes, I do have residue ( around and outlining where the removed patch was) left on my skin after removal but my question was (if you don't mind) what did the back of the actual patch look like after removal?

   I mean before you put the patch on, the sticky side that you apply to your skin has an even opaque looking film on it and on mine it appears about the same when I remove it. 

Is it supposed to still look like that after used or should the once solid opaque "sticky" side appear like it has less "stuff" on it (maybe clear) after you remove it if your body is actually "sucking" it up (for lack of a better term.....or abrorbing the estrogen)

[foxywoods]

@GingerHead    too long ago, cant recall . I would ask a pharmacist.  my male gyn at the time told me to put the patch on my arm! the pharmacist laughed and said no,  it goes below the belt. haha

[morganjen]

Mine look like yours. Still opaque, but the outer edges look worn. I know I am absorbing the hormone, so I guess the patch is doing its job. It just doesn't show up as "clear" when it's time to apply a new one.

[Skyegirl21]

I've been on Minivelle patches for over 10 yrs. When I remove them, the back of the patch has skin residue (skin cells)  on it, compared to it being clear when it is freshly applied)- 
Is it managing your symptoms? If so, then I wouldn't worry about it. If not, then ask your provider.
These products are required go through testing and absorbtion pharmacokinetics and checks of efficacy against the name brand, before getting approved. I work in pharma research.