Estradiol Patch Shortage: What You Need to Know
There's a nationwide shortage of estradiol patches right now. If you wear a patch, you may have already run into empty shelves or a pharmacy that can't fill your usual dose. We know how much your medication matters to your day-to-day life, and we want to help you stay on track while supply is limited. The good news is you have several safe options, and our team is here to work through them with you.
Why patches are usually the first choice
Estrogen that goes through your skin, like a patch or a gel, is generally the safest way to take it. This kind of estrogen does not raise your risk of blood clots or stroke. Estrogen taken as an oral tablet carries a small but real increase in that risk. That's why, whenever we can, we keep you on a patch or another through-the-skin option.
Your options during the shortage
A few of these are simple things you can do on your own. Others are best handled with a quick call to us first, so please read each one before you make a change.
1. Check other pharmacies
Your prescribed dose may be sitting on another pharmacy's shelf. Call nearby pharmacies and ask if they have your patch in stock. If they do, transferring your prescription is quick and easy. Just let them know and they can take care of it.
2. Try a different patch strength
Your prescribed dose may be sitting on another pharmacy's shelf. Call nearby pharmacies and ask if they have your patch in stock. If they do, transferring your prescription is quick and easy. Just let them know and they can take care of it.
3. Switch to a weekly patch
Weekly patches are made to stay on for seven days at a time. We're seeing fewer availability problems with these right now, so this is often a good backup if your usual patch is out of stock.
4. Switch to an estradiol gel
If patches aren't available, a topical estradiol gel is another through-the-skin option. It comes in a foil packet that you open and apply to your skin once a day. It absorbs the same way a patch does and keeps the same safety benefits, with no added risk of blood clots or stroke.
5. Consider an oral tablet
If patches and gel both aren't a fit, an estradiol tablet is widely available and works well. The one tradeoff is that an oral tablet carries a slightly higher risk of blood clots and stroke than the through-the-skin options. To help lower that risk, we recommend letting the tablet dissolve under your tongue rather than swallowing it.
We're here to help
If you're having trouble finding your medication, or you're not sure which option is best for you, call our office at
541-500-4747. We'll help you find a safe, effective solution and get you back on track. This shortage is temporary, and you don't have to figure it out alone.
Please note: This page is general information, not medical advice, and it isn't a substitute for talking with your provider. Everyone's health and history are different.