Excited for you! I LOVED my patch when I first started using it several years ago! I was on Climara and then later on Vivelle-dot (estrogen only patches). They took away all my symptoms and I had zero side effects.

I would still be using them today if I could still absorb from them.

The generic estradiol patches are a bit thicker and flesh colored but only about $32/month.

Vivelle-dot has a generic coming up shortly.

Minivelle has a coupon on their website. Most people who have been on both vivelle-dot and minivelle prefer vivelle-dot as they report that minivelle seems "weaker" to them.

Which one are you on?

I use VivelleDot 00,75mg. I have also been on Combipatch and that did not work at all. Mylan patches also did not work for me. Had tons of blood tests and the only one I absorb is Vivelle and there is a difference in the matrix of Vivelle unlike other patches. My doctor recommended Vivelle because of the difference in the patch and how it's made.
You may have good luck with any patch. You have to experiment with the delivery system and the dosage a bit. one thing they all have in common, they leave a black sticky glue and it's difficult to remove.

i use the patch, anywhere from 25mg to 75mg depending on how the weather is and how im feeling. takes away all symtons. a little rubbing alcohol helps take the residue off.

Thank you guys so much, I'm going to start on the generic Estradiol @ I think .25 mgs....by the grace of God it is only going to be $5.00 per month.....I'm on the depo shot already and both of my doctors believe it will help with not only the nights from hell but also with this new body I've gained and my hair loss. My OBGYN was literally shocked when she saw all of my weight gain and how I have become this round thing. All stomach.....never in my life was I built like this. When I showed her she actually got tears in her eyes and said we would find out how to fix it. I've posted on the weight loss page. I only eat once a day and where your body will make adjustments, nothing like what has become of me! It has not been a fun little ride!!!!! Does anyone know how long it takes to start to feel different, suggestions on how long to stay on it. I'm picking it up this Thursday evening....much love to you all for your help - Felicia

Felicia,

The estradiol patch (generic?) is supposed to last 7 days. But most gals say that by day 5 it loses it's effectiveness. But, then again, so does the name brand "Climara". None of the patches last as long as the manufacturer states. Just keep that in mind if you start to feel like it is wearing off again on Day 4 or 5. I always had to change my weekly patch on Day 4 or 5 and my twice-weekly patches I changed every 48 hours (instead of twice a week) in order to avoid fluctuations that triggered migraines.

Is your weight gain from the depo-estradiol shot? My gyn is really reluctant to do the shots because she says it can cause sky-high levels initially and then crash later.

Weight gain can also occur from too little estrogen. The body wants estrogen and fat cells can make it, so the body starts to pack it on sometimes.

You are on a really low dose (the .025 is the weakest and is usually only used for bone health).

I started off on the strongest patch (the 0.1) and noticed benefits that night. The doctor put it on my rump in the morning and that night I slept through the night and woke up feeling so much better (not all crying and wigging out and anxious and sweaty and brain foggy).

I hope you feel better soon! If you still have symptoms after awhile, you can always get the strength increased.

Oh, and don't take hot soaking baths with the patch as it will cause the medicine to release really fast into you and then it will wear off quicker and won't last as long.

OH, and maybe get your thyroid checked to see if you are getting hypothyroid (hair loss and weight gain can be signs). Low estrogen triggers thyroid issues.

I was on the Vivelle-Dot for awhile and it did not work well for me but everyone's different. Plus I had a hysterectomy which has been a nightmare.

If you still have your uterus, you will need to take a progestin or progesterone to protect the lining. If you are in perimenopause, the birth control pill may be a good option.

My favorite was the Climara patch. It seemed so much stronger and steadier than the vivelle-dot. It lasted for about 4-5 days for me (not the full 7 days). It completely changed my life: all my allergies went away, I was in a good mood, I could sleep all night, and laugh and be happy, no more anxiety.

I was normal again on the Climara patch. And after 2 years of suffering with weird symptoms (perimenopause), I never thought I would feel normal again.

It may take a few weeks to feel the full benefit (although you should probably feel something before then!). If you don't, you need to increase your dose.

The vivelle-dot I did not absorb well and had to use twice as much as the Climara to get the same blood levels as the Climara patch.

And even then if I was not careful to change the vivelle-dot every 48 hours I would get a slamming headache/migraine. But that was just my experience. Everyone is different.

The generic estradiol patch is generic for Climara patch.

i was told to replace my patch every 3 - 4 days. Also putting it on your stomach rathere than your back helps absortion and to make sure its on smooth with no creases.

Climara is supposed to be changed once a week.

Viville-dot and Minivelle and Alora are to be changed twice a week.

Thanks for the wonderful advice. I get a pure estrogen shot every 4 weeks now for 12 years. Have always had many of these questions - thx so much!

I've decided to start the patch this weekend and also put my mindset as going on the patch is the perfect excuse to stop smoking also. I know you shouldn't smoke while on it. So we will see. I'm so excited to see what the results will be. The amazing part is my doctor prescribed me 8 patches for 70 days with 5 refills. I so hope all I need is .25 but the way she wrote out the prescription, if it isn't enough I can increase the dosage and it won't be an issued with my insurance company. 1/24 I get a larger check so I'll also be going to the health food store for that Vegan drink I had that I lost 5 lbs in a week for doing nothing but adding health into my world. Again, many thanks to all of you and here is to changing my mindset to only positive. I feel I'm 90% there and know I can do it. My biggest fear is that I have been smoking since I was 10 and I'm 49 now........Prayers for inner strength! And thank you all, again, for your advise. If I can ever help any of you in any way, please let me know. Have a wonderful weekend. I will because tomorrow it is going to rain all day and I have not one thing to do. Hugs - xoxoxooxoxoxo Felicia

I checked to see the patch I'm on and it's the Vivelle Dot 0.025 mgs and I do change it twice a week. The box comes with 8 patches. I was told I do 3 weeks on and 1 week off. The most amazing part is that my copayment was only $15.00. Again, thank you all for your insight. I'm really interested to see what happens. I'm also wondering if mentally I think to myself it will help me lose weight, if I will. Kind of like those study groups who 1/2 get the real medication and the other get a sugar pill. Some on the sugar pills thinks it's actually working because mind over matter. Here is to no more night sweats, losing weight and also (hopefully) having some of my hair grow back. This has just been a horrible little ride! Much love and hugs - thank you!

Are you on the birth control shot called Depo-Provera? That is a whole different type of shot than I was thinking you were on (regular estrogen only shots).

Depo-Provera is progestin only for birth control, and that could be why you gained weight (if you are on depo-provera).

Are you going to continue to do shots along with your patch?

Yes, I'm going to be doing both. Funny because the depo shot is bad for your bones but the patch is good for your bones...so perhaps a lot of new things will happen. All of you have been wonderful replying to my post. Thank you!