While you may not have had trouble getting your estrogen patches at the pharmacy in the past, that seems to have changed for many people. Since late last year, more people have noted that they need to hop from one pharmacy to another to get their monthly supply. If this is happening to you, then now’s a good time to plan for the days ahead.
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Reports suggest the current estrogen patch shortage stems from a combination of increased demand and supply chain glitches. The first issue started when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an updated statement regarding the use of estrogen patches for the treatment of menopausal symptoms.
For years, these patches were given what’s known as the ‘black box treatment’. That means the packaging carried a warning that taking them could increase the risk of developing breast cancer and having heart attacks or strokes. Given the warning, many women opted not to use estrogen patches to manage their menopause symptoms.
However, this warning was largely based on a 2002 study. In November 2025, the FDA used data from a more recent study to assess if the warning was still warranted. At that point, they issued a statement that the warning would be removed. The agency even went as far as to say hormone replacement therapy (HRT) could be lifesaving for those who needed it.
With the FDA changing its stance, more women talked to their doctors about getting a prescription for HRT. This resulted in a 26% increase in the demand for estrogen patches between late last year and February of this year. That’s only a snapshot, though, because another report stated that one in five women between the ages of 45 and 55 had been prescribed estrogen-based HRT in recent months. This statistic represents a 100% increase in the number of women who had the prescription in 2023.
Unfortunately, this is where the second contributor to the shortage comes in. Although the FDA’s removal of the black box warning is good news for many women, it doesn’t mean that the supply chain can immediately respond to the increased demand. Manufacturers have noted that ramping up production is not as easy as it seemed. Additionally, some suppliers of the estrogen patch note that they must honor existing contracts before seeking other sources to meet demand.
As a result, there is a lag in the market where you may not be able to get your estrogen patches. While supply shouldn’t dry up entirely, it may be spotty.
The answer to this question isn’t yet definitive. Between the constraints of existing contracts and manufacturers’ need to plan for higher output, it’s hard to say. However, some health experts suggest that the shortage could last for the rest of the year. Others are less optimistic and urge you to plan for the next two to three years. In either case, it’s a good idea to stay on top of the news so you’ll know when things change.
Fortunately, the FDA is aware of the shortage and says it’s working with the estrogen patch suppliers to meet demand as soon as possible.
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The good news is that you may be able to effectively navigate the shortage until the supply chain catches up. Instead of walking into your regular pharmacy in the hopes of finding what you need, call ahead. Doing this can help you find the one with the estrogen patches you’re looking for. If you can submit your prescription via an online platform, then that’s even better. You’re more likely to have your prescription filled.
It’s also important to note that, depending on your location, the patch you need may not be in such short supply. Currently, the mid-range dose patches you apply twice per week are the ones in shortest supply. If this particular shortage is affecting you, talk to your doctor about changing your dose or switching to the larger patch that you apply once per week.
Another option is to talk to your insurance company and pharmacist about combining two patches of different strengths to achieve the dose you currently take. The insurance company needs to confirm they’ll cover this workaround, while the pharmacy can tell you what’s available.
You can also switch from using the estrogen patch altogether. There are estrogen gels, sprays, vaginal rings, and pellet implants that can help with menopause symptoms. Typically, they can give you the same steady supply of estrogen that patches do, but it can depend on the dose of the one you’re usually prescribed.
Finally, a monthly estrogen injection is available for those who may want it. It doesn’t give the same steady release of the hormone you may be used to, though. Taking the injection may also mean that the side effects hit you a little more intensely than with the patch, where estrogen is released gradually. Potential side effects include bloating, nausea, breast tenderness, and headaches.
Although the advice for finding estrogen patches is helpful, you shouldn’t change anything without talking to your doctor first. They will be able to determine which dosage changes or patch types are likely to be effective for you. You’ll also need to discuss any new potential side effects if you change the delivery system for your estrogen. For example, getting the injection may have more side effects than switching from the twice-weekly patch to the weekly one.
You may also hear advice from others about how to make your current supply last longer. Some suggest cutting patches in half to essentially double your supply. However, this isn’t always safe. Patches filled with gel or containing a combination of hormones usually shouldn’t be cut. Still, this is another issue that you should discuss with your doctor.
It’s hard to say how long the current estrogen patch shortage will last, but the good news is that there are still ways that you can get the treatment you need. Before you do anything, though, talk to your doctor to ensure that you’re making the right moves.
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