Home / Health / Estrogen Patch Shortage Hits Women Hard
Estrogen Patch Shortage Hits Women Hard
3 Apr
Summary
- Estrogen patch shortage impacts women's health and sleep.
- Hormone therapy prescriptions surged 86% since 2021.
- FDA removed black box warning, increasing demand for therapy.
A significant shortage of estrogen patches is currently affecting women in the United States who rely on them for hormone therapy. These patches deliver estrogen transdermally, offering an alternative to oral medications for managing menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats.
The surge in demand is a primary factor, with hormone replacement therapy prescriptions increasing by 86 percent since 2021. This rise is attributed, in part, to the FDA removing a black box warning in November, making more individuals open to hormonal treatments.
Estrogen patches are favored for their ease of use and because they bypass the liver, potentially reducing the risk of side effects associated with oral pills, like blood clots. Women affected by the shortage may explore other transdermal options as alternatives.
