There are different types of delivery systems of progestogens that can be used in addition to an estrogen patch, including pills, injections, and patches, among others.Research has suggested that estrogen plus progestogen therapy may increase the risk of heart attacks, stroke, breast cancer, blot clots, and dementia in postmenopausal women. Taking the lowest effective dose of both estrogen and a progestogen may reduce risks. Administration
Depending on the brand, patches are applied to the skin once or twice weekly. Patches should be placed on clean skin where hair and moisture is not present. Preferred areas of application include lower abdomen, hip, and buttocks. Patches should never be applied to the breasts. To reduce the risk of the patch detaching from the skin and skin irritation, skin care products, sun exposure, damaged skin, and tight-fitting clothing should be avoided where the patch is placed. Side effects
Headache, breast pain or tenderness, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, vaginal discharge or irritation, and mood changes are some of the common side effects that may occur while using an estrogen patch. More serious side effects may include fever, loss of appetite, joint pain, difficulty breathing or swallowing, and yellowing of the skin or eyes.Seeing a health professional regularly, taking progestin, having pelvic and breast exams, lowering blood pressure, and lowering cholesterol may reduce the likelihood of developing severe side effects while using an estrogen patch.
Other causes of hypoestrogenism are excessive exercise, restrictive diet, underactive pituitary gland, ovarian failure, Turner Syndrome, and kidney disease. Symptoms of hypoestrogenism may include pain during sex, irregular periods, mood swings, hot flashes, breast tenderness, headache, depression, fatigue, weak bones, and an increase risk of urinary tract infections. Estrogen therapies, including the use of an estrogen patch, can be used to alleviate these symptoms by increasing estrogen levels to a normal state. Premenopausal women may be recommended to take progestin with estrogen therapy. Prevention of osteoporosis
Estrogen patches may be effective in preventing osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Research suggests that estrogen patches can significantly increases bone mineral density and reduce risks of fractures in postmenopausal women by raising estrogen levels and avoiding first-pass metabolism.There is evidence that the combination of an estrogen patch with a progestin pill can improve bone mineral density in young, premenopausal amenorrheic athletes, and may be more effective than an oral estrogen with progestin. Hormonal birth control
Contraceptive patches such as norelgestromin/ethinylestradiol are a form of estrogen patch which are used for hormonal birth control. Patches with progestogens
Taking a progestogen in addition to an estrogen patch should be considered for women who have not undergone a hysterectomy to regulate the thickness of the endometrial lining and reduce the risk of endometrial cancer. Hysterectomized women rarely need a progestogen, however it may be considered if a history of endometriosis exists.