A gender reassignment program for male to female transsexuals normally includes the prescription of feminising hormones, oestrogen and progesterone which develop female secondary sexual characteristics. In addition this may be accompanied before surgery by anti-androgen treatment to reduce the effect of the patients own male sex hormones. There can be risks attached to hormone therapy in both men and women and therefore it is definitely inadvisable to take any form of hormone product unless it is medically prescribed.
How should you take this medication?
Each Estraderm patch is individually sealed in a protective pouch and is applied directly to the skin.
A stiff protective liner covers the adhesive side of the patch. Remove the liner by sliding it sideways between your thumb and index finger. Holding the patch at one edge, remove the protective liner and discard it. Try to avoid touching the adhesive. Use immediately after removing the liner.
Apply the adhesive side to a clean, dry area of your skin on the trunk of your body (including the buttocks and abdomen). Do not apply to your breasts or waist. Firmly press the patch in place with the palm of your hand for about 10 seconds, to make sure the edges are flat against your skin.
Contact with water during bathing, swimming, or showering will not affect the patch.
The application site must be rotated. Allow an interval of at least 1 week between applications to a particular site.
If you miss a dose
If you forget to apply a new patch when you are supposed to, do it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time to change patches anyway, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not apply more than one patch at a time.
How does Estraderm work?
Medicated skin patches, also called transdermal or percutaneous patches, provide a very effective means of medicating. In this approach, the estrogen (estradiol is used) is transferred into the body directly through the skin. The transdermal approach offers ample delivery of medication for full feminization and it's consistent and prolonged release make for a safe and sensible approach.
Adverse Effects
Some individuals suffer skin irritation related to the adhesive. For others, the presence of a patch is awkward or tends to come loose from the skin, especially during sustained activity, such as sports or outdoor activities. The adherence problem can be addressed with the use of a skin preparation that helps the patch stay in place even in the presence of moist conditions or heavy perspiration.
Composition
Transdermal patches uniformly contain estradiol as the active medication, produced in 0.05mg (50 micrograms, 50 mcg) and 0.1 mg (100 mcg) concentrations.
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