The Estrogen Patch Shortage
Many of you are likely aware that there have been ongoing supply shortages of estradiol patches, particularly the 0.05 mg dose.
If your usual dose is unavailable, please first contact your pharmacy to determine which patch strengths they currently have in stock before making any changes.
The options below are listed in order of recommendation. Please note that these alternatives are intended as practical strategies to help navigate the shortage. They are not ideal substitutes and may not result in precisely identical dosing or absorption compared with your usual regimen, but they are reasonable temporary approaches until supply improves.
0.1 mg patch twice weekly → cut each patch in half and apply ½ patch twice weekly
0.025 mg patch twice weekly → apply 2 patches twice weekly
0.0375 mg patch twice weekly → apply 1⅓ patches twice weekly
0.075 mg patch twice weekly → apply ⅔ patch twice weekly
Estradiol gel packets (daily) → a 0.05 mg patch roughly corresponds to 1–1.25 mg gel daily
0.05 mg weekly patch
To help avoid interruptions in treatment, we recommend starting your refill process at least 1 week before running out to allow time to locate inventory and coordinate an alternative if needed.