Rash with Vivelle Dot/question about estrogen gel

I had a total hysterectomy in October 2010, both ovaries removed, and was placed on Vivelle Dot. Did great until about 4 months ago when I started developing a terrible red, itchy rash under the patch. Hormonally it is working great and I really like the size of the patch and it sticks great. I am guessing it is just a reaction to the adhesive. Strange that I was on it for so long before this happened. Has anyone else experienced this?

I've been reading some about estrogen gels and would also like to know if these work as well as the patch?

Yes, have experienced this too. Search for threads on this site about rash and patch... some have used cortisone cream on skin after removing patch. Make sure you're rotating the area you use.

I have used estrogel. No rashes with it but I seem to need more than the prescribed one pump/day...

I used divigel 1 mg immediately post-op. It wasn't enough and I supplemented with 1 mg oral estradiol. (I'm 44, no sign of even peri-menopause pre/op) I really wanted the divigel to work, but my problems were that 1) I felt like I had perpetual pms and 2) it felt tacky on my leg for a while after I applied it and my pants stuck to my leg (!). My dr's nurse hadn't ever heard of that last one, so maybe it's just me. I recently switched to evamist (spray gel). One spray wasn't enough (you can use 1, 2, or 3 sprays/day). Dries really quickly!

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Originally Posted by Suzi3 I had a total hysterectomy in October 2010, both ovaries removed, and was placed on Vivelle Dot. Did great until about 4 months ago when I started developing a terrible red, itchy rash under the patch. Hormonally it is working great and I really like the size of the patch and it sticks great. I am guessing it is just a reaction to the adhesive. Strange that I was on it for so long before this happened. Has anyone else experienced this? I've been reading some about estrogen gels and would also like to know if these work as well as the patch?

I have had the same issue and my hysterectomy is also 2 years in the past. I actually called the manufacturer because i think they must have changed the glue or the formulation or something. No problems until about 2 months ago when I started to develop a rash. It's not major, but I am wondering if anyone's doctor has changed you up to something different. It's not bothersome enough since other than that I haven't had a problem, but it seems strange that this happens after 2 years without any hitch. Comments and suggestions are welcome. Thanks,
Guera

I've never had the rash from it, but then I don't use much.

I did try the estrogel and felt like i couldn't get an even dose; was all over the map...too much..too little.

This wouldn't have been a big issue and i might would have tried to stick it out and see if it evened out, but when I get too much my BP goes through the roof, so I couldn't experiment any more with it.

This happened to me too. Out of nowhere I started to get a very red and very itchy rash under the vivelle dot patch. Dr switched me to Climara. She said the adhesive in Climara was a bit different but I still had a rash with Climara. My Dr. Is a hormone specialist and she uses Estrogel and favors it so its a matter of finding your dose. I ended up using femring .1 mg because I am sensitive to ups and downs and prefer continuous trickle dosing.

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Originally Posted by 6andcounting I've never had the rash from it, but then I don't use much.

What does that have to do with it? A patch is a patch. When it comes to the Vivelle Dot they are all pretty much the same size regardless of the dose.

I don't know if it has anything to do with it or not.

Possibly less area = less irritation

I had the same thing with the patch. I was on it for YEARS and did great with it. then all of a sudden (about 4 years ago) I started itching and got a red rash with it. I was then switched to creams. Now.... I'm starting to itch with those!!! but my hormones are in a good place. Still have some anxiety but other than that... everything is good. So I don't know what to do. I'm afraid to take anything orally because it usually messes up my gut. And that isn't good for me at all! My Dr. in Utah, put me on an anti itch cream and didn't think it was a big deal. I have not told my new Dr. yet. The itching isn't bad. but I"m beginning to think I'm some what allergic to hormones. And I can't live without them. I talked to the pharmacist and he didn't know what to say about it. I've tried 3 different bases and that didn't make a difference. Maybe the gels but aren't those more drying??
So.. didn't mean to make this about me but be aware that if you itch from the patch, other ways like creams and such might make you itch too.
Or maybe I'm just a rare breed.

Maybe when she said "I didn't use much" she meant the dosage. Indeed, the higher the dosage, the larger the patch...at least on the Vivelle Dot! I remember being shocked at the size difference when my Dr switched me from the .05 to the .1...I had just presumed that there would be more estradiol in the same size patch but this is not the case!