Read the Patient Information Leaflet.

Select an Application Site:

• The application site should be: 

  • Clean

  • Dry

  • On a relatively flat area

  • Somewhere that doesn’t typically sweat much

  • Areas without thick hair

  • Areas that are not bony or bendy, like an elbow or a knee

  • Areas that can be reached

  • Areas that don’t go under where a waistband might hit

  • Not somewhere that has been freshly shaved: 

  • Trimming any body hair in the area for a patch to better adhere to can help, but applying a patch right after shaving could cause skin irritation.

  • Tattooed areas are okay, so long as the tattoo is fully healed. 

• Common locations to apply oestrogen patches are generally:

  • Belly

  • Back

  • Upper buttocks

  • Upper arm or thigh: but it’s important to note that with how much these limbs may move on a daily basis might lead to the patch unsticking sooner than preferable.

• Avoid applying to sensitive areas of the body, such as the breasts or genitals

• Do not apply to areas with cuts, irritation, or skin conditions.

• Make sure multiple patches are not overlapping: they can go on different spots of the body, or they can go in the same area: so long as each patch has full contact with your skin so you can get your full dose!

Prepare the Skin:

1. Wash the area with mild soap and water.

2. Dry thoroughly before application.

3. Do not use lotions, oils, or powders in the area as they can affect patch adhesion.

4. Do not apply the patch unless the area of skin is completely dry.

Apply the Patch:

• Open the pouch carefully: cutting open with scissors may accidentally cut the patch, so it’s best to tear it; and do so slowly and with care.

• Remove the protective liner, being careful to touch the sticky side of the patch as little as possible.

• Place the patch on the selected area and peel off the backing, pressing down with your palm as you apply.

• Once the whole patch is applied, press down with your palm for about 10 seconds to ensure it adheres well.

• Ensure the edges stick properly.

• Try to remove any air bubbles by pressing and sliding your palm across the patch until they come out of the patch’s side.

Patch Care:

• Check the patch daily to ensure it remains in place and is still sticking well.

• Pay particular attention to whether your patch remains in place anytime: 

  • you become sweaty

  • after showering or bathing

  • or if anything rubs against the area the patch is stuck to

• Ideally the patch should be covered by a clear plastic adhesive (sometimes called “second skin”) if you are going swimming or the patch will be in water for an extended period of time, in order to reduce the likelihood of it falling off

• If the patch starts to peel off or loses its stick at the edge before it’s due to be changed, then medical tape can be used to tape the patch back in place.

• If the patch falls off, try to reapply it. If it doesn’t stick, apply a new patch to a different area and apply your regular schedule but adjust so today is now considered the start of your schedule.

• Avoid heating pads and direct sunlight: Using a heating pad over the patch or exposing the patch to direct sunlight for long periods of time can increase irritation and lead to changes in how the medicine is absorbed.

Remove the Patch:

• Peel off the patch gently when it’s time to replace it at your recommended time.

• Fold the used patch in half with the sticky sides together so leftover medication isn’t exposed.

• Place the folded patch inside the pouch of your new patch and then bin it.

• If you can’t place it into the pouch, wrap it in toilet paper and then bin it.

  • Again, both of these seek to protect children and pets etc, the prior who may think the patch is some kind of sticker and the latter may try and eat it

• Don’t flush the patch down the toilet.

• Apply the next patch to a different area to avoid skin irritation in the same method as above.

• If there is adhesive left where the previous patch was applied, let it dry for 15 minutes, then use lotion or oil to rub any sticky residue off.¹