How do I apply the hormone patch?

I have the hormone patch and I put it on my hip. It is supposed to last a week. I put it on yesterday and the sticky side is already coming off. How do I put the patch on so it will stay?

Also, where do I put it other than on my hip? TIA

Hi!

There are a few tricks to try to get the patch to stick. First, you want to be sure your hands and the area where you are applying the patch are clean and dry with no powders, oils, or lotions on them.

Be careful not to touch the sticky surface of the patch when applying it. Choose an area where the patch won't be rubbed excessively by your clothing and where it won't move a lot when you bend or stretch. Sometimes, but not always, I clean the area with a little rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball and allow that to dry before applying the patch. Also, I apply my new patch before I bathe as my skin is at its driest then.

After applying the patch, place the palm of your hand over it and hold it down for several seconds to help set it in place. If the patch starts to come off before it's time for a change, you can try blasting it with some air from a hairdryer but be careful not to have the heat setting too high because you don't want to hurt your skin.

Some women use a Tegaderm patch, which is like a large bandaid, over the estrogen patch to seal it from moisture. That's an option to try if all else fails.

If you can't get the once a week patches to stay on despite trying everything, you may want to switch to a twice a week patch such as Vivelle Dot. That's what I am using and it stays stuck the full 3 1/2 days.

I hope these suggestions help!

s

I started off on climera and couldnt get it to stick at all. Then I tried the estrace pill but that just didnt give me the result the patch did. My doc gave me a sample of the vivelle dot today so I am going to see if that works. I had never thought of putting tegaderm on it. Thats a great idea!