Estrogen patches are in such high demand that they’re becoming harder to find.

The shortage comes amid a broader shift in the perception of how safe hormone therapy is. In November 2025, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) removed a longstanding black box warning on hormone therapy.

Originally issued in 2003 based on research from the Women’s Health Initiative, the warning stated that hormone therapy, including estrogen pills, patches, and gels, could increase the risk of heart disease, breast cancer, and dementia.1 After reassessing the now-outdated study, the FDA determined the risks were overgeneralized and may have discouraged appropriate use of treatments that can significantly improve menopause symptoms.

Why Are Estrogen Patches So Popular Now?

Estrogen patches (also known as transdermal estradiol) are one form of hormone treatment for menopause that helps deliver estrogen through your skin, as opposed to oral options such as pills.

Oral pills are processed by the liver, which may raise the risk of blood clots. Estrogen patches can bypass the liver metabolism process and reduce the risk of clots, heart attacks, and strokes, according to Stephanie S. Faubion, MD, MBA, the director of the Mayo Clinic Center for Women’s Health and medical director of The Menopause Society.

Healthcare providers commonly prescribe transdermal patches for people going through menopause and perimenopause as a safer, lower-risk alternative to oral pills.2 Estrogen patches, like other forms of hormone therapy, can reduce common menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats. They may also relieve vaginal dryness or itching.3

The FDA’s updated stance on hormone therapy safety is driving broader acceptance of estrogen patches, prompting more people in menopause to seek out this form of treatment.

“The FDA black box warning ended up gatekeeping one of the most powerful tools we have to improve women’s quality of life and support long-term health,” Somi Javaid, MD, a board-certified OB/GYN, surgeon, and founder of HerMD, told Verywell.

Use of hormone therapy is expected to rise further, putting additional strain on supply. “I think the current estrogen patch shortage is temporary, but we should’ve been better prepared for this moment,” Javaid said.

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Is Estrogen Linked to Longevity?

Alongside rising demand for estrogen patches, social media has fueled claims that estrogen can boost longevity and reduce the risk of age-related conditions like dementia. Experts say the science isn’t as clear-cut as people may believe.

“The internet loves a simple story: estrogen equals longevity. But the real answer is more nuanced,” Javaid said. “What the research consistently points to is that timing matters. When estrogen therapy is started earlier, closer to the perimenopause/menopause transition, the risk–benefit profile looks more favorable.”

Research presented at the 2025 Annual Meeting of The Menopause Society found that starting hormone therapy during perimenopause can help improve long-term health outcomes as you age.4

Outside of being a reproductive hormone, estrogen acts as a protective agent for your brain to shield it from degeneration or cell loss.5

“Loss of estrogen during the menopause transition is associated with brain changes that researchers believe may contribute to dementia risk later in life,” Javaid said. “Estrogen isn’t a guaranteed longevity drug, but for most patients—especially when started at the right time—it may support healthier aging by protecting our bone, brain, and heart, while also improving day-to-day quality of life.”

Estrogen Patch Alternatives Are Available

If you’re actively using estrogen patches as a part of your menopause treatment, there’s no need to worry about the shortage right now. While there is a chance for symptoms to rebound, the side effects of abruptly discontinuing estrogen patches aren’t dangerous.

“Once an estrogen patch is removed, hot flashes will usually return within a day or two. Perhaps a little longer, depending on the frequency and severity of the symptoms before estrogen usage,” said Robert Kauffman, MD, a professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine. “With hot flashes, there may be disrupted sleep. These are not life-threatening, but are quality-of-life issues.”

If you stop using estrogen patches and notice spotting or unexpected bleeding, it’s important to reach out to your healthcare provider.

There are alternatives you can use to minimize symptom rebound or unwanted side effects if your regular patches are out of stock.

The most common alternatives are other transdermal options such as estrogen spray, estrogen gel, and vaginal rings. If you’d like to continue using patches, you might be able to switch to a lower-dose patch or use a generic patch if you’re currently using a branded prescription, Kauffman said.

It may also help to call other pharmacies in your area to see if they have your patch in stock. If all else fails, you can ask your healthcare provider to prescribe you an oral estrogen pill for the time being.

“The benefits are much more likely to exceed the very small risk of using oral estrogen for a defined duration,” Kauffman said.