Hormonal patch

Hormonal patch represent a hormone replacement therapy that can be administered by the patient himself and that can be used for prolonged hormonal disorders, for contraception or for the treatment of menopause in the presence of numerous complaints. Hormone patches are so far undisputed in terms of their short-term effect. In long-term use as a contraceptive and menopausal therapeutic agent, however, hormone patches are controversial because of proven adverse side effects and risks. The benefits must be weighed against potential health risks on an individual basis.

What are hormonal patches?

Under a Hormonal patch one understands an easy to apply, plaster-shaped dosage form for certain hormone preparations. It stands in contrast to the classic oral dosage forms in the form of tablets or other dosage forms with the help of a syringe.

Hormone patches ensure a more even dose of hormones. In the case of hormonal patches, it is absorbed through the skin. Transdermal hormone patches or hormonal depot patches are nowadays preferably equipped with sex hormones. For example, thyroid hormones have not yet been administered via a hormone patch.

Shapes, types & types

On the subject of shapes, types and types, one can say that one is between one Hormonal patch one for contraception and one for the treatment of severe menopausal symptoms. More recently, men have also been given a hormone patch if they suffer from hormone deficiency.

The hormones on the hormone patch are different and are dosed differently. How small or large the hormone patch is cut by the respective manufacturer is not so important. More important is how high the dose of the hormones is on the patch. In the case of a hormonal patch that is intended as a contraceptive, the monthly pack contains three patches. Each hormone patch remains on the skin for a week. No hormonal patches are put on in the fourth week.

The menstrual period is initiated in this way. The use of estrogens or gestagens in hormonal patches must be tailored as individually as possible to the needs and risks of the patient. The composition and dosage of the plaster ingredients is different. A price averaging 30 to 80 euros per piece makes the hormone patch a relatively expensive form of administration.

Hormone patches require a prescription so that they do not get into the hands of a patient without medical supervision. There is a good reason why you should not take hormone patches on your own and without medical supervision. Not all hormones are equally suitable for administration through a patch.

Structure, function & mode of operation

In terms of structure and functionality, those available on the market are similar Hormonal patch.

It is usually a square, skin-colored patch about 5 by 5 centimeters that is attached to the skin. Hormone patches should be placed in a different place each time they are applied to prevent skin irritation from the adhesive surface. The hormone dose contained in the hormone patch is slowly and regularly diffused through the skin, bypassing the usual route via the digestive system.

When using a hormone patch as contraception, the hormone patch - similar to the pill - is discontinued after three weeks so that the menstrual period can take place. One advantage of hormone patches compared to the classic birth control pill is that diarrhea or vomiting do not affect the hormone absorption, as the hormones are not absorbed via the digestive tract.

Medical & health benefits

About the medical and health benefits of the Hormonal patch opinion today is divided. After the initial euphoria, a certain disenchantment has set in. These days, hormone patches are no longer prescribed as often as they were right after they were invented.

The long-term use of hormonal patches is controversial because of the possible side effects and consequential risks. A long-term prescribed hormone patch can lead to thromboses, heart attacks, strokes and embolisms if there is a known family history or coagulation disorder. Certain risk groups - for example smokers - are also at greater risk with long-term use of hormone patches.

However, it is advantageous to relieve the liver on the hormone patch in comparison to conventional orally administered hormone preparations. The hormones from the hormone patch are not partially broken down in the digestive system, but act in full doses where they should. The dosage can consequently be designed much better with a hormone patch than with conventional forms of administration. In this respect, the benefit of the hormonal patch is high for some patients, but questionable for others.