Are menopause hormone patches available?

Patches containing estrogen and patches containing estrogen and progesterone have been available for over 25 years and, for many women, have been an easy, effective, and safe way to have their menopause hormone therapy.

The patches include

• Patches containing only estrogen
• Patches containing both estrogen and progesterone

Unfortunately, there has been a shortage of these patches for a few years, making getting the patches a real challenge. These shortages are probably going to keep going well into 2025. Here is a link to the government website with expected dates for when they should be available again.

Some ways around the shortage that may be helpful;

• The government has approved some other brands of patches that your pharmacy may have, but you will need a new prescription. Here is a link to the government website with the names of alternative patches. Some of my patients feel that these patches don’t stick quite as well
• You can cut patches in half. For example, if you are on a 50 patch you can cut a 100 patch in half
• You can use two patches to add up to the strength you need. For example, if you need a 50, you could use two 25 patches.
• You could swap across to using an estrogen gel. The gel contains only estrogen, so you would need a progesterone tablet or a progesterone IUD as well if you are on a combined estrogen and progesterone patch.
• It will be great when it returns to normal and patches are available again.