Estradiol Patch: Bioidentical Estrogen for Osteoporosis Treatment

When I was recently diagnosed with osteopenia, which is bone loss but not yet osteoporosis, my doctor wanted to do a few things to help me rebuild my bone density. One was a supplement regimen, which I am doing. Another was prescribing Fosamax for me, which I could not take due to acid reflux, and the third was to put me back on hormones.

I am 54 years old and went into menopause at a very early age, in my early 40's, and only too hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for a few years and stopped. Doctors think that HRT actually helps to prevent bone loss, and this was part of my problem. Back on hormones I went.

My doctor is a female, and very up to speed on HRT, and she said in this day and age there is no reason not to prescribe bio-identical hormones, and she put me on the Estradiol Transdermal Patch, 0.05mg a day.

What Is The Patch?

The Estradiol Transdermal Patch is small, round patch that is flesh colored. The back peels off so you can stick it onto your skin, and it delivers continuous delivery to the body. I love that I don't have to take any pills, just change my patch every Monday morning. The adhesive is pressure sensitive, and you need to press it firmly onto the skin for ten seconds. The patch contains 1.94 mg estradiol, which provides 0.05 mg daily.

Is The Patch Better Than Pills?

My doctor feels that the Estradiol Transdermal Patch is a better and healthier choice, because the medication does not have to go through the liver. Pills that are taken orally have to be processed by the liver, and the estrogen that makes it to the bloodstream may be less than desired. However, the use of the patch allows the estrogen to be absorbed directly into the blood stream.

Studies have shown that the route of administration is important, and that using the patch can minimize any bad effects of HRT on the cardiovascular system.

One site I found said "In order to have similar blood levels of estrogen as those with transdermal estrogen replacement therapy, a much higher dose of oral estrogen is needed."

Bio Medicine has a great article on this subject! Quoting from their site, they explain: "In a study reported in Journal of the American College of Cardiology suggests that Estrogen replacement therapy could be considered a safer profile for the heart when delivered through a patch rather than a pill. Interestingly, "the Women's Health Initiative", the largest study of its kind, was cut short last year (2002) because it was found that Hormone Replacement Therapy (a combination of estrogen and progestin) increased the risk of heart attacks and other problems when taken in the long term. It is usually the Postmenopausal women who take hormone replacement therapy through a pill to improve their general well being and prevent osteoporosis (loss of Bone).

However the researchers looked at different modes of estrogen administration because oral medication has been shown to increase the levels of C-reactive protein, a marker for inflammation that is linked to heart attack and risk of stroke. It is possible that Once ingested orally the pill contents pass by blood circulation to the liver first, where the C-reactive protein is produced and it pushes up its content. This problem is less with dermal patches, moreover the oral estrogen has to be given in higher dose than transdermally. Researchers found that the levels of C-reactive protein in blood was unchanged when women took a placebo or used the estrogen patch, but rose when they took estrogen in the pill form."

My Experience

I have used the Estradiol Transdermal Patch for a month now, and have some thoughts on how to best use it. First, it needs to be applied to totally clean skin, with no body oils, dirts, lotions, etc. present, so wash the area carefully.

This patch needs to be applied in one of two places, and you rotate them each time. It can be placed on the lower abdomen (rotating from left to right side), and on the upper portion of the buttocks (also rotating left to right side). Finding a new place to put the patch each week is essential, because when I take it off after a week, the skin is red and slightly irritated, and I have a few tiny red marks, where it looks like some bleeding has happened (purpura).

Also, finding a place on the lower back is challenging. The first time I applied it to the upper portion of my buttocks, it came off when I pulled my pants down to use the bathroom. I am still experimenting with the best placement on the back area.

Comparing using the patch to the pill form of HRT I was on 10 years ago, I would say the patch is a superior method for me. I don't have to worry about taking a pill every day, and it has never come off during a shower or bath! I take bio-identical progesterone at bed time, which has really helped me get a better nights sleep.

If your doctor recommends you go on HRT, ask them about the benefits of the Estradiol Transdermal System Patch.