Patches that don't cause skin reactions?

[HostaCentral]

I have had a break from HRT, which was fine, for a while. Unfortunately the last couple of months have been hell again, so I am waiting for a consult to go back on.

I think I will now be moved onto continuous combined, so was looking at patches, but..... I am very allergic to all things on my skin. I can only use anti allergy white cotton plasters for example. Are patches going to be a problem??

I see online that Estradot seems a good punt, but that is in short supply??

I still have a bottle of Estradiol, and some Ultrogestron, but that was becoming a bit problematic too, one of the reasons I stopped.

Any advice on recommencing after almost a years break? I have had one period this year, but am 59, so I think I should now go on continuous.

You might be fine with patches and may be worth a try. If you are allergic you could ask your GP for a steroid inhaler to spray on your skin before applying the patch to reduce inflammation. Or try the spray oestrogen instead. I use Estradot patches and I have managed to get a supply for the past 6 months so I think the supply issue may be resolved.

You could try gel instead of patches. It comes in individual sachets that you rub into your skin.

You can get a spray too, that's what I have, really easy and dries in a minute.

@thedogdaysareover51 there are still ongoing supply issues with estrodot. It’s still under SSP until at least December. The independent pharmacies in my area can’t get it and they have normally been able to source it when the big nationals couldn’t.

I had an allergic reaction to patches, so now I take a daily pill. No issues at all!

I reacted to the combined patch but not the oestrogen only one. So I used patch plus utrogeston.

You said you had issues with the gel/utro before. What were the issues?

My issues are with the Ultrogeston, bloating, nauseous, just feeling meh. No issues with Estradiol gel at all. Hence thinking better to not put it through my stomach. It might be that one pill a day is better than two for two weeks. Or vaginal insertion, but my GPs are outraged at that suggestion.

They've kind of left ig up to me to ask for what I want!!

Other than they said the coil was the best option, but no way, not at my age.

Why are they outraged at the idea of using it Vaginally? Mine was fine with that and the BMS now says it’s ok for those who don’t tolerate it well orally

Two of them have said its only licensed like that for IVF?? So they wouldn't prescribe it as such, I suppose I could just choose to do it myself, but would be worried it wouldn't absorb??

I won’t say I’ve not hear of doctors doing that - it’s because it’s off-license to take it vaginally but plenty of women do, and in Europe that’s a normal and licensed way to do so.

I worried too about absorption but understand it seems to be better used more locally and better tolerated. It’s honestly worth going back to your doctor and asking them to check into it, and the advice for women who don’t tolerate Utrogestan orally.

There’s a great contributor on here - JinglingSpringbells, who* *has amazing knowledge in this area and really helped me when I was looking at taking them this way. She may jump in here or you can see some of her comments on other threads. she’s become rather legendary with her knowledge and skill!

I am allergic to plasters including hypoallergenic ones, the patches they put on during ecg and kenisiology tape! However have been on Everol Sequi for over two years and have no reaction to them.

I'm allergic to all the patches. Evorel the worst, Estraderm the least bad . I seem to go through periods of worse reactions. Estradot is a smaller area but, for me, intensely itchy.