Vivelle & Hot tubs

Will being in a hot tub affect the absorption rate of my patch?

YES. Increased heat means it releases more estrogen. I think it says so on the directions.

I used a heating pad after my surgery over the patch. Got a lot more estrogen that way (unintentionally) and the patch ran lower sooner.

Check the package insert.

Calypso,
That is a great question. I didn't even think about that because I just started to patch last week. I am going to ask my doctor tomorrow at my post op appointment.

I moved my patch to the butt, so I could still use the heating pad. Guess that wouldn't help with the hot tub though. And on the butt, you absorb up to 17% more estrogen.

Yes, it does. A quick soak won't make a big difference, but when I soak I tend to stay in for a very long time at a slightly lower temp (100-102) rather than a quick one at 104-106, and I have noticed an effect after longer soaks.

One of my DRs suggested that I try wearing my patches on my shoulder blades and keeping that shoulder above the water level. I tried it for a little while, but I found that I didn't absorb very well there so I started having symptoms of too little estrogen, and I was already on the highest dose patch, so I abandoned that idea.

I just try to time my soaks to coincide with patch changes so it doesn't matter.

s,
-Linda

thank you so much ladies! I have been suffering migraines i assume from the patch, and after a night in the hot tub, the next day i started a headache...We just built this pool and it would be such a shame not to be able to use it....

I went for a 2 week check up yesterday and my doctor suggested not going in our hot tub at least until we see how the patch is working for me. Maybe in a few months I will take a quick soak like surferbabe mentioned. At least that would be a little hope that we can someday use our hot tub again.