Best location for estradiol patch

The best locations for an estradiol patch are on clean, dry, and irritation-free skin on the lower abdomen (below the waistline) or the upper buttocks/buttock area. These areas provide the best, most consistent absorption, with the buttock area potentially offering higher bioavailability.
https://www.spectrumreproductivehealth.com/blog/estrogen-patch-troubleshooting-how-to-get-the-best-results

@tillymack Congrats for getting on HRT!

My doctor started me on 0.05 mg (50 mcg) so your 14 mcg prescription is considerably lower than mine. I also got oral progesterone as part of my HRT.

I am going to get my Bone Turnover Markers (BTMs) checked via self-pay. I have been delaying BTMs because it can take 6 months before HRT shows BTM improvements. Also, I previously had blindly accepted an alendronate prescription from a young doctor and was on it for 18 months before learning more and changing to HRT. Alendronate can continue to stay in your bones for many years, but every month is a step down the elimination path.

Maybe you can plan to check CTX and P1NP markers in 6 months to evaluate your low dose estradiol patches?

Regarding your actual Q, I stick with the lower abdomen for my patches. Pun intended 🙂

@kfhoz
Where do you go for self pay?

@tillymack I have not done it yet, but others on this forum have provided pointers. Here are some that I saved, but I have not yet used:

P1NP:
https://www.jasonhealth.com/test/16609-procollagen-type-i-intact-n-terminal-propeptide
CTX:
https://www.jasonhealth.com/test/17406-collagen-type-i-c-telopeptide-ctx
Other labs offer self-pay, such as Quest and LabCorp. But most others are more expensive than Jason Health.

I alternate my patch just below my belly button swapping left to right.

I am 77 and considering going back on HRT. I have high fracture risk osteoporosis and have started Evenity(2 injections)
Had a hysterectomy 2 yrs ago. Started having hot flashes again in the last few months. My gyn is reluctant but I have friends in 70s taking it who say they feel great. Thoughts?

@tillymack I rotate my patch through 4 locations: either side of my abdomen and either side of my upper buttocks. This is what my provider recommended.

Did your provider say why such a recommendation?

@tillymack She did not. But here’s what it says on Mayoclinic.com under Proper Use section.

“ Peel off the backing from the patch and apply the patch to a clean, dry, and hair-free area of the lower stomach or upper buttock area. This area must be free of powder, oil, or lotion for the patch to stick on to your skin.”
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/estradiol-transdermal-route/description/drg-20075306

@wondering1 Sorry I wasn't more specific, I meant did the doctor say why she recommended rotating to both abdomen and buttocks?