Where should I wear my estradiol patch, and how often should I change it?

Q: I’ve been given estradiol patches by my doctor, but I’m not sure how long I should wear them, or if there’s any specific location to wear them. Does it matter where they’re placed? What if they come off?

A: Estradiol patches are best worn on hip, low belly, and buttock areas. Be sure to rotate sites (using a different site each time you change the patch) to avoid skin irritation. Some patches are changed once per week, others twice per week — it depends on the brand, so check with your pharmacist or review the literature that comes with the patch. Transdermal estrogen patches generally stick to the skin fairly well, but they vary in size and the adhesives used, so individual patients may experience more problems with one than another. We encourage you to try different places, and if the brand you are using just won’t stay on, you can request another brand.

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• FAQ’s on bioidentical hormones and other forms of HRT
• An intro to HRT and alternatives

Published: November 9, 2013 - Last Updated: March 29, 2021